2018 Home United FC season explained

Club:	Home United
Season:	2018
Mgrtitle:	Head coach
Stadium:	Bishan Stadium
League:	S.League
Cup1:	Singapore Cup
Cup2:	League Cup
League Topscorer:	Shahril Ishak 13 goals
Season Topscorer:	Song Ui-young 20 goals
Prevseason:	2017
Nextseason:	2019
Leftarm1:	FFFFFF
Body1:	FF0000
Rightarm1:	FFFFFF
Shorts1:	FF0000
Socks1:	FF0000
Leftarm2:	FFFFFF
Body2:	FFFFFF
Rightarm2:	FFFFFF
Shorts2:	FFFFFF
Socks2:	000000
Pattern La3:	_Home United1516t
Pattern B3:	_Home United1516T
Pattern Ra3:	_Home United1516t
Pattern Sh3:	_Home United1516t
Pattern So3:	_Home United1516t
Leftarm3:	FFFFFF
Body3:	FFFFFF
Rightarm3:	FFFFFF
Shorts3:	FFFFFF
Socks3:	EFEFEF -->

The 2018 season is Home United's 23rd consecutive season in the top flight of Singapore football and in the S.League. Along with the S.League, the club will also compete in the Prime League, the Singapore Cup, Singapore League Cup.

Key events

Pre-season

1. On 15/10/2017, it was reported that key striker, Stipe Plazibat, is looking for a move to Thailand with Bangkok Glass interested.^[1]
2. On 7/11/2017, Irfan Fandi revealed in an interview that he is looking to make an overseas move once he finishes National Service (NS) next February.^[2]
3. On 7/11/2017, coach Aidil Sharin is rumored to be courted by MSL clubs, namely Felda United, PKNS FC and Kelantan. He was said to have met up Felda United and will be meeting Kelantan management before end of season.^[3]
4. On 21/11/2017, it was reported that Harris had returned to JDT.^[4]
5. On 28/11/2017, Tsubasa Sano from Albirex Niigata (S) or Darryl Roberts from Global Cebu F.C. or Fernando Rodríguez from Ceres–Negros F.C. are identified as the replacement for top scorer, Stipe Plazibat.^[5]
6. On 29/11/2017, Bangkok Glass make offer for Irfan Fandi for 2018 season. However, he is still considering the offer as he is looking to move to Europe.^[6]
7. On 2/12/2017, Faris Ramli is reported to have rejected a move to Malaysia club to sign a one-year extension to his contract.^[7] However, he is reported to have negotiated a deal with Selangor FA for the new season as his new contract with Home United contained a clause for him to leave.^[8]
8. On 14/12/2017, Irfan Fandi & his brother, Ikhsan Fandi will go trial with English Championship club, Leeds United in March 2018.^{[9] [10]}
9. On 15/12/2017, Stipe Plazibat reportedly completed his move to Thailand.
10. On 15/12/2017, Adam Swandi was reported to be close to a move to White Swan, dealing a blow to the team for the 2018 season.^[11]

In-season

1. On 9/8/2018, the team was crowned as AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal winners after defeating Philippines’ Ceres Negros 3–1 on aggregate over two legs.^[12]
2. On 26/9/2018, it was reported that Geylang International is interested in bringing Song Ui-young to Bedok Stadium together with their former coach, Lee Lim Saeng for Season 2019. Joining the Eagles to express interest is Indonesian giants Persija Jakarta.^[13]
3. On 26/9/2018, it was reported that Aidil Shahril is courted by Perak FA for 2019 while their former coach Lee Lim Saeng is also a target for Warriors FC.^[14]

Squad

S.League squad

Squad No.	Name	Nationality	Date of Birth (Age)	Previous Club	Contract Since	Contract End
Goalkeepers
1	Kenji Syed Rusydi ^U23		1998 7, df=yes	Youth Team	2017
22	Eko Pradana Putra		1993 4, df=yes	Geylang International	2016
24	Rudy Khairullah		1994 7, df=yes	Police SA (NFL D1)	2017
Defenders
2	Shakir Hamzah		1992 10, df=yes	Tampines Rovers	2018	2018
4	Juma'at Jantan ^>30		1984 2, df=yes	LionsXII	2013	2019
6	Abdil Qaiyyim Mutalib		1989 5, df=yes	Tampines Rovers	2015	2018
9	Faritz Abdul Hameed		16 January 1990	Geylang International	2018	2018
15	Faizal Roslan ^U23		1995 5, df=yes	Young Lions FC	2018	2018
18	Shahrin Saberin ^U23		1995 2, df=yes	Young Lions FC	2018	2018
	Ribiyanda Saswadimata ^U19		2000 2, df=yes		2018	2018
Midfielders
3	Anumanthan Kumar		1994 7, df=yes	Hougang United	2017	2019
7	Aqhari Abdullah		1991 7, df=yes	LionsXII	2016	2018
8	Song Ui-young		1993 11, df=yes	Youth Team	2012	2018
13	Izzdin Shafiq (Captain)		1990 12, df=yes	Tampines Rovers	2017	2018
14	Fazli Ayob		1990 1, df=yes	Tampines Rovers	2018	2018
16	Muhelmy Suhaimi ^U23		1996 1, df=yes	Young Lions FC	2018	2018
19	Hafiz Nor		1988 8, df=yes	Warriors FC	2018	2018
20	Arshad Shamim ^U23		1999 12, df=yes	Youth Team	2018	2018
21	Suhairi Sabri ^U23		1996 4, df=yes	Youth Team	2018	2018
23	Christopher van Huizen		1992 11, df=yes	Young Lions FC	2018	2018
32	Isaka Cernak		1989 4, df=yes	Sisaket	2018	2018
Strikers
5	Amy Recha		1992 5, df=yes	Geylang International	2018	2018
10	Amiruldin Asraf ^U23		1997 1, df=yes	Youth Team	2017	2018
12	Iqram Rifqi ^U23		1996 2, df=yes	Youth Team	2017	2018
17	Shahril Ishak ^>30		1984 1, df=yes	Warriors FC	2018	2018
Players loaned out / placed on injury list / left during season
11	Sirina Camara		1991 4, df=yes	Etoile FC	2013	2018

Coaching staff

Source

Position	Name	Ref.
Head coach	Aidil Sharin
Assistant coach	Saswadimata Dasuki
Goalkeeping coach	Adi Saleh
General Manager	Badri Ghent
Team manager
Physiotherapist	Daisy Sumampong Anarna
Kitman

Transfer

Pre-season transfer

In

Position	Player	Transferred From	Ref
		Garena Young Lions	loan return ^[15]
		Garena Young Lions	^[16]
		Tampines Rovers	1 Year contract ^[17]
		Geylang International	^[18]
		Warriors FC	^[19]
		Tampines Rovers	^[20]
		Geylang International	^[21]
		Garena Young Lions
		Warriors FC	1 Year Contract ^[22]

Out

Position	Player	Transferred To	Ref
		Army United	^[23] ^[24]
		Balestier Khalsa
		Balestier Khalsa
		Eunos Crescent FC (NFL Club)
		Tampines Rovers	^[25]
		Balestier Khalsa	^[26] ^[27]
		Garena Young Lions
			^[28]
		Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C.	^[29] Loan Ended
			^[30]
		Albirex Niigata (S)	^[31]
			^[32]
		Balestier Khalsa
		Bangkok Glass	^[33]
		TSV Essingen
		Warriors FC	^[34]
		Singapore Cricket Club FC (NFL Club)

Note 1: Khairul Nizam was reported to have been retained by the club but subsequently transferred to Warriors FC.

Note 2: Faris Ramli was reported to have signed an extension of contract but subsequently moved to PKNS FC after a clause was included in his new contract.

Retained

Position	Player	Ref
		2 years contract signed in 2017 ^[35]
		2 years contract signed in 2017 ^[36]
		^[37]
		2 years contract signed in 2017 ^[38]
		NS till 2019
		2 years contract signed in 2017 ^[39]
		2 years contract signed in 2017 ^[40]

Extension

Position	Player	Ref
		^[41] ^[42]
		^[43]
		^[44] ^[45]
		1 Year Contract ^[46]
		^[47]
		1 Year Contract ^[48]

Promoted

Position	Player	Ref
		^[49]
		^[50]
		^[51]

Trial

Trial (In)

Position	Player	Trial From	Ref
		Free Agent	^[52]
		Free Agent	^[53]
		Free Agent	^[54]

Trial (Out)

Mid-season transfers

Extension

Friendlies

PSM Makassar Super Cup Asia 2018

^[58]

KL Pre-season tour

Team statistics

Appearances and goals

		Player	Sleague	Singapore Cup	AFC Cup	Total
		Apps.	Goals	Apps.	Goals	Apps.	Goals	Apps.	Goals
1	GK	Kenji Syed Rusydi	4	0	3	0	0	0	7	0
2	DF	Shakir Hamzah	21	3	5	0	10	1	36	4
3	MF	Anumanthan Kumar	13(6)	1	3(1)	0	10(1)	2	34	3
4	DF	Juma'at Jantan	4(1)	0	0	0	8	0	13	0
5	FW	Amy Recha	5(11)	2	0(3)	0	3(3)	0	25	2
6	MF	Abdil Qaiyyim	15	0	4	0	9	0	28	0
7	MF	Aqhari Abdullah	16(1)	0	2(2)	0	11	0	32	0
8	MF	Song Ui-young	11(2)	10	3	1	11	9	27	20
9	DF	Faritz Hameed	12(6)	2	3(1)	1	10(1)	2	33	5
10	FW	Amiruldin Asraf	6(10)	0	1	0	0(3)	0	20	0
12	FW	Iqram Rifqi	12(4)	2	4(1)	1	0(1)	0	22	3
13	MF	Izzdin Shafiq	21(2)	2	3(1)	0	10	1	37	3
14	MF	Fazli Ayob	3(2)	1	1(3)	0	4(4)	0	17	1
15	DF	Faizal Roslan	24	2	5	0	9(1)	1	39	3
16	MF	Muhelmy Suhaimi	0(2)	0	0(1)	0	1	0	4	0
17	FW	Shahril Ishak	22(1)	13	5	2	12	5	40	19
18	DF	Shahrin Saberin	12(1)	0	1	0	2(4)	0	20	0
19	MF	Hafiz Nor	17(6)	7	5	1	2(8)	1	38	9
20	MF	Arshad Shamim	11	0	1	0	0	0	12	0
21	MF	Suhairi Sabri	3(1)	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
22	GK	Eko Pradana Putra	2	0	1	0	2	0	5	0
23	MF	Christopher van Huizen	2(10)	0	1	0	2(3)	0	18	0
24	GK	Rudy Khairullah	18	0	1	0	10	0	29	0
32	MF	Isaka Cernak	4	0	4(1)	1	4	1	13	2
43	DF	Danial Hakim	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Players who have played this season and/or sign for the season but had left the club or on loan to other club
11	DF	Sirina Camara	3(4)	2	0	0	2(3)	0	12	2

Competitions

Overview

Competition	Record
S.League
AFC Cup
Singapore Cup
Total

Singapore Premier League

See main article: 2018 Singapore Premier League.

AFC Cup

See main article: 2018 AFC Cup.

Group stage

See main article: 2018 AFC Cup group stage.

Knockout stage

See main article: 2018 AFC Cup knockout stage.

Home United won 6-3 on aggregate.

Home United won 3-1 on aggregate.

Home United lost 1-11 on aggregate.

Singapore Cup

See main article: 2018 Singapore Cup.

Home United won 4-3 on aggregate.

----

Home United lost 2-4 on aggregate.

----

Notes and References

1. Web site: Plazibat on radar of Thai club.
2. Web site: Irfan eyes overseas move.
3. Web site: Home to lose coach to MSL club?.
4. Web site: Singapore midfielder Hariss Harun to benefit from MSL rule at JDT.
5. Web site: Goodbye Stipe, Hello Sano? Home United could turn to White Swans marksman. 2017-12-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20171204222958/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/goodbye-stipe-hello-sano-home-united-could-turn-white-swans-marksman. 2017-12-04. dead.
6. Web site: Irfan wants to try his luck in Europe as Bangkok Glass make offer.
7. Web site: Faris extend contract.
8. Web site: Selangor eye Singapore winger Faris.
9. Web site: Irfan and Ikhsan Fandi eye trials with England's Leeds United.
10. Web site: Singapore footballer Irfan Fandi set for trials at English Premier League clubs.
11. Web site: Adam to forgo AFC Cup for Champion?. 2017-12-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20171215163726/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/adam-could-become-albirexs-first-local-signing-2018-sleague. 2017-12-15. dead.
12. Web site: AFC President congratulates AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal winners Home United .
13. Web site: Geylang set sights on ex-Home United coach Lee Lim-saeng and Song Ui-young .
14. Web site: Aidil to Perak? Lee to Warriors or Eagles? . 2018-10-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181003181845/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/aidil-sharin-perak-lee-lim-saeng-spotted-choa-chu-kang-stadium . 2018-10-03 . dead .
15. Web site: Saberin returns from loan.
16. !Web site: Faizal move from young lions to home.
17. Web site: Shakir become protector.
18. Web site: Faritz Abdul Hameed switch to Protectors from Eagles nest.
19. Web site: Hafiz Nor cross uniform group.
20. Web site: Fazli returns home.
21. Web site: Amy the new left winger for Home United.
22. Web site: King Shahril return.
23. Web site: Hassuny for Army Utd or Muanthong Utd?.
24. Web site: Hassan return as "Army" in 2018. 2017-11-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20171129205941/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/hassan-sunny-sign-army-united-thai-media. 2017-11-29. dead.
25. Web site: Afiq Yunos left for Tampines Rovers.
26. Web site: Sufianto switch from Dragons to Tigers. 2018-02-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20180131200943/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/sleague-2018-transfer-round-whos-and-whos-out?page=0%2C1. 2018-01-31. dead.
27. Web site: Balestier Khalsa are delighted to confirm the new signing of 25-year-old Sufianto Salleh from Home United on 2 years deal.
28. Web site: Shamil is a Warrior!.
29. Web site: Hariss return to JDT.
30. Web site: Singapore's Faris Ramli joins PKNS. 2018-01-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20180105112103/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/faris-joins-malaysia-super-league-side. 2018-01-05. dead.
31. Web site: Adam to be unveiled.
32. Web site: Noor Akid Nordin has returned to Balestier Khalsa after completing his National Service last week!.
33. Web site: Plazibat for Thailand?. 2017-10-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20171013013102/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/last-chance-catch-home-uniteds-star-duo-action. 2017-10-13. dead.
34. Web site: Nizam swop uniform group.
35. Web site: Work Hard Play Hard: The 'Crazy Horse' who ventured into a Nasi Padang business. 2017-12-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20171204222955/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/work-hard-play-hard-crazy-horse-who-ventured-a-nasi-padang-business. 2017-12-04. dead.
36. Web site: Camara the 2nd foreigner.
37. Web site: Abdil Qaiyyim did not do enough to earn a contract after a week-long trial.
38. Web site: Song extends contract.
39. Web site: Khairul Nizam is back.
40. Web site: AMIRULDIN ASRAF SIGNS FOR THE PROTECTORS IN 2018.
41. Web site: Rudy extend contract after Sunny left for Thailand.
42. Web site: Rudy the 1st choice in 2018.
43. Web site: Eko Pradana's talent and potential retained by Protectors.
44. Web site: Izzdin Shafiq extend contract despite offers received.
45. Web site: Izzidin retained by Protector for 2018.
46. Web site: Faris extends contract.
47. Web site: Aqahri Abdullah sign for 2018.
48. Web site: CHRISTOPHER VAN HUZEN EXTENDS ANOTHER YEAR WITH THE PROTECTORS.
49. Web site: Kenji promoted to 1st team in 2018.
50. Web site: Arshad promoted to 1st team in 2018.
51. Web site: Iqram Rifqi promoted to 1st team in 2018.
52. Web site: Home United target two foreign players in a bid to strengthen their squad .
53. Web site: Home United trial for ex-JDT man Andrezinho . 2018-08-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180801094215/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/home-united-trial-ex-jdt-man-andrezinho-and-french-winger-mbaye . 2018-08-01 . dead .
54. Web site: Home United trial for French winger M'Baye . 2018-08-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180801094215/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/home-united-trial-ex-jdt-man-andrezinho-and-french-winger-mbaye . 2018-08-01 . dead .
55. Web site: Singapore and Home United defender set for Thai trial . 2018-08-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180801034535/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/singapore-and-home-united-defender-set-thai-trial . 2018-08-01 . dead .
56. Web site: Robbie Kruse and Ken Ilso got me to the Singapore League.
57. Web site: Juma'at Jantan inks new deal and vows to be ready for 13th season . 2018-09-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180916060245/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/jumaat-jantan-inks-new-deal-and-vows-be-ready-13th-season . 2018-09-16 . dead .
58. Web site: INI PESERTA MAKASSAR SUPER CUP ASIA 2018.