Is football coming Home this season?

A year can be a long time in football. Less than 12 months ago Home United were celebrating victory in the 2019 Community Shield, hoping to improve on the previous season's 2nd place finish in the Singaporean Premier league and looking forward to another run in the AFC Cup, hoping to go even further than they had during a successful 2018 campaign that saw them crowned the regional champions. It wasn't to be.

If only they knew what was to come.

Under the management of Saswadimata Dasuki the Protectors started the season poorly. Failing to get out of the group stage of the AFC cup and struggling to find any form in the league. When 'Saswa' was inevitably sacked, Home United turned to former Singapore National team coach and legend in the local game, Raddy Avramovic. The experienced Serbian looked to have steadied the ship and got Home United moving in the right direction before, unfortunately, illness forced him to step down and return to his native country for cancer treatment. Home United then turned to 38 year old Noh Rahman to mange the team. The former defender, who played 79 times for the Singapore national team failed to get much out of a team lacking in confidence and direction with Home United finishing 6th in the 9 team league, 20 points behind the league champions, having scored the second fewest number of goals in the league. It was a disastrous season for the two time SPL champions and one they will be desperate to put behind them.

Home United have already signaled their intent this season with a number of high profile signings. The signing of veteran goalkeeper Hassan Sunny from bankrupt Thai League side Army United could prove an inspired bit of business. The Singaporean international had two stints with Army United, making more than 100 appearances for the club. 35 year old Hassan made his name with notable stints at Tampines Rovers and Warriors and has earned an impressive 85 caps for the national team since making his debut in 2004. The season before Hassan's move to Thailand he helped Warriors win the league and was the first goalkeeper to be awarded the SPL player of the season. Home will be hoping he will be able to repeat these achievements this season.

In the middle of the park Home United will be delighted that they have so far hung on to their South Korean talisman Song Ui-Young who has been so influential for the Protectors over the last few seasons. Song who lit up the 2018 AFC cup with some widely admired perfomances, has already attracted interest from the richer leagues in the region but has committed himself to his adopted Singapore. In addition the impressive, young Hami Syahin will be looking to build on an impressive season last time and cement himself as one of Singapore's most promising players.

To address the issues up front Home United have signed Gabriel Quak from the now defunct Warriors FC. Quak was one of the few highlights for Warriors last year, scoring 9 times in 23 appearances. Quak does his best work down the flanks which will provide another dimension to a Home United attack that often looked a bit narrow last season. Quak will be looking to combine with Home's Australian contingent of Isaka Cernak and Oliver Puflett, who were both part of the team last season, as well as exciting new signing Andy Pengelly. Pengelly scored an incredible 52 goals for amateur NPL side Brisbane Strikers last season and it is a surprise that he was not picked up by an A-League side. I fully expect Pengelly to thrive in Singapore especially under the guidance of Home's new coach.

New Signing Pengelly scored 52 times last season

New coach Aurelio Vidmar

Leading this Australian revolution is former Australia captain Aurelio Vidmar, who has become the 4th Home United manager in less than 12 months and is arguably the most exciting addition this pre-season. Vidmar has an already impressive football CV having made history by leading Adelaide to the 2008 AFC Champions League final as well as stints in charge of Australia's Under 20's, Under-23 and national side. He also has plenty of experience managing outside of his native Australia having managed in Thailand with Bangkok Glass.

After last season's disappointment, Home will not have the distraction of continental football this season, allowing them to concentrate on the league. Simply improving on last season's 6th place will not be enough, especially considering the exciting signings so far. The protectors will be in the mix come the end of the season and would love to lift their first SPL title since 2003 or win their first major silverware for 6 years. However, after the chaos of last season, perhaps stability, a good go at the cup and a place in next season's AFC Cup are a more realistic aim.

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