By Les Tan/Red Sports

young lions vs home united football

Obadin Aikhena (Young Lions, #20) on an attacking run. Obadin scored the only goal of the match in the 72nd minute. (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

Jalan Besar Stadium, Wednesday, March 25, 2009 – The Young Lions shocked Home United 1-0 to register their first win of the S.League Championship.

A 72nd-minute headed goal by defender Obadin Aikhena gave the Young Lions a much-needed confidence booster after starting the game anchored to the bottom of the table.

However, it wasn’t so clear in the first half that the Young Lions would go home with all three points. They struggled upfront with only a single shot on target by Hamqaamal Shah (#6) the only noteworthy effort in the first half.

Home United on the other hand were creating chances but doing everything except score. Shahril Ishak (#17) and Kengne Ludovick (#10) both went close within the first two minutes with shots that hit the side netting but after that, it was a litany of misses and ballooned efforts.

Ludovick had the presence of mind to pick out Shahril who was all open inside the penalty box. As the ball floated over to him, Shahril pivoted to volley but somehow got his feet stuck in the grass and he was left embarrassed as the landed near him and his feet were still on the ground.

The clearest chance for Home United came in the 41st minute when Shahril played a beautiful one-two with Ludovick whose precise return pass saw Shahril clear on goal. However, Shahril’s shot beat Izwan Mahbud but not the the right upright and the ball bounced back into the grateful arms of the Young Lions keeper.

A Shi Jiayi free kick on the stroke of half-time from a dangerous position just missed the left upright to epitomise a fruitless first half for Home United.

The Young Lions provided the first serious piece of drama in the second half when Hamqaamal Shah again showed some shooting skills with a shot that just cleared the crossbar in the 57th minute.

In the 61st minute, Gabriel Quak (#7) broke down the left into the penalty box and squared it past a stranded Ridzuan Fatah Hasan in the Home United. Despite getting onto the end of the cross, Fadhil Noh could only smash it into the side netting. His agonised reaction showed he knew that he should have done better.

It was then the turn of Home United to miss when Ludovick squandered a nice set up by Peres de Oliveiro on the edge of the penalty box. His blast went nowhere near the goal.

A de Oliveiro free kick was then well-saved by Young Lions keeper Izwan in the 69th minute before the game finally bubbled with excitement when Obadin Aikhena scored the first goal of the night in the 71st minute.

Young Lion Gabriel Quak got behind Valery Hiak in the Home United defence but he was too slow to capitalise and Hiak cleared for a corner. From the resulting corner, Obadin rose high above anyone else to head commandingly into the net for an unexpected 1-0 Young Lions lead.

Home United came storming forward for an equaliser, with Itimi Dickson crashing a volley off the crossbar with a hint of a touch from keeper Izwan.

The action then swung back to the other end with Gabriel Quak running at the Home United to leave them backpedalling. However, his effort could only hit the side netting, much to the relief of the Home United camp.

On the sidelines, coach PN Sivaji could be seen gesticulating to his side to calm down, well aware perhaps that getting into a running game with the fit Young Lions would not be the smartest thing with more than 10 minutes left in the game.

Ann unintended hand ball by Afiq Yunos gave Home United a free kick right on the edge of the box but de Oliveiro scuffed his free kick.

When the whistle finally went to signal a 1-0 Young Lions win, the agony on the faces of the Home United was clear while the Young Lions celebrated their first win of the season.

“It was timely, especially for these young players,” said Young Lions coach Terry Pathmanathan after the game. “It’s not pleasant to wake up in the morning and realise that you’re bottom of the table. Looking at the past couple of games, we did not deserve to lose the two games against SAF and Gombak. It was individual errors that cost us points. They deserve the win at least for all their effort determaintion and hard work. We still lack the technical ability, the finishing.”

Gabriel Quak (#7) had an outstanding game for the Young Lions with his ball handling skills and could have had a few goals, a point coach Pathmanathan brought up.

“Gabriel (Quak) could have had two or three goals. Gabriel should have finished off with that kind of performance. He should have more confidence with the ball. He needs to be very decisive about what he wants to do (when he gets the ball).”

Despite the loss, Home United coach PN Sivaji was a picture of composure.

“I’m only looking at the way we played. We played some fantastic football today. We opened up the Young Lions many times. Second half we kept the same momentum. As coach I’m proud about how they delivered.”

On the agonised reaction of the Home United players at the final whistle, Sivaji was aware that keeping up the team’s confidence was crucial to get them through this rough patch.

“I wanted to speak to them. There were a couple of tears being shed. I didn’t want to see that. That means surrendering to weakness. But that’s the hazard of the football. If you don’t score, you don’t win,” he said.

“It’s not player personnel. This is a team under pressure – when you get into positions, you hurry. Once the goals come, the confidence will return. We are going through a tough period. When we play like this and don’t get results, it generates self-doubt. How we come out of this would be critical to the season.”

young lions vs home united football

Gabriel Quak (Young Lions, #7) heads the ball away from his opponent. His close control and speed was a delight to watch. (Photo 2 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Gabriel Quak loses possession of the ball amid some tight defending by Rosman Sulaiman (Home United, #14) and Valery Hiek (Home United, #13). (Photo 3 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Fadhil Noh (Young Lions, #25) crosses while Valery Hiek tries to intercept. (Photo 4 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Rosman Sulaiman has Gabriel Quak in tow. (Photo 5 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Isa Halim (Young Lions, #4) watches the pass. (Photo 6 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Fadhil Noh takes a shot at goal while S Subramani (Home United, #5) tries to block. (Photo 7 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Firdaus Idros (Home United, #24) steals the ball away from his opponent. (Photo 8 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Valery Hiek slides in to tackle the ball away from Gabriel Quak. (Photo 9 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

A Young Lions player clears the ball while an injured comrade lies on the ground. (Photo 10 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

A Home United player crosses the ball into the penalty area. (Photo 11 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Shi Jiayi (Home United, #7) breaks out of the defense and charges towards the goal. (Photo 12 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Kenge Ludovick (Home United, #10) faces some opposition while on the attack. (Photo 13 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Ludovick scrambles to intercept the ball after Young Lions goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud fails to stop the cross. (Photo 14 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Faritz Hameed (Young Lions, #9) gets tackled by an opponent. (Photo 15 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Shi Jiayi runs down the flank with an opponent in tow. (Photo 16 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Kenge Ludovick on an attacking run while Afiq Yunos (Young Lions, #14) tries to defend. (Photo 17 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Peres Oliveira (Home United, #20) crosses into the penalty area. (Photo 18 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

An injured Young Lions player gets stretchered off. The Lions were facing a slew of injuries during the match. (Photo 19 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Ludovick passes the ball to a teammate. (Photo 20 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

The Young Lions’ supporters were cheering on their team especially hard during the Home United counter-attacks. (Photo 21 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Ludovick and Afiq Yunos get into a mid-air tussle. (Photo 22 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Juma’at Jantan (Home United, #4) tries to avoid losing possession of the ball. (Photo 23 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Substitute Fadzuhasny Juraimi (Home United, #15) takes a shot at goal. (Photo 24 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Young Lions goalkeeper Izwan punches the ball away. (Photo 25 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Trying to gain control of the ball. (Photo 26 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

The Young Lions intercept a Home United corner. (Photo 27 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Obadin and Noh Fadhil try to prevent Sharil Ishak (Home United, #17) from gaining possession. (Photo 28 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Ludovick reacts in anguish after a penalty was ruled out by referee P Pandian. (Photo 29 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Peres Oliveira took the awarded free kick, but saw it ricochet off the Young Lions’ defensive wall. (Photo 30 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

The Young Lions celebrate their first win of the season… (Photo 31 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

… overjoyed that they have been propelled from bottom to fifth place in the S.League table, two places above Home United. (Photo 32 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Young Lions coach Terry Pathmanathan was happy about the win but wanted his players to be focused on the upcoming games, and not be complacent about having beaten a strong team. (Photo 33 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

young lions vs home united football

Despite the loss, Home United coach PN Sivaji was still pleased with the team’s fighting spirit and performance. (Photo 34 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)