The Singaporean side made the final of the ASEAN Zone for the past two years, winning last year’s tie against Ceres Negros to advance to the Inter-zone semi-finals, and coming into this year’s campaign they once again have ambitions of going deep into the tournament.
It was the home side that started the brightest too, with Adam Swandi pouncing on an errant back pass to force a fine save out of Rivki Mokodompit.
But the visitors, competing in continental competition for the first time since 2005, slowly started to work their way into the match as the first half wore on.
Burly attacking midfielder Wiljan Pluim almost put the Indonesian side ahead after a clever one-two with Muhammad Rachmat, but the Dutchman turned his shot wide.
Spurred on by a small, but vocal, band of traveling fans, Darije Kalezic’s side didn’t have to wait long to take the lead, however, with Pluim and Rachmat again involved in the build-up as Finnish striker Eero Markkanen produced an exquisite finish with the outside of his left boot to open the scoring.
Rachmat should have doubled the lead for the visitors just two minutes into the second half after being played in over the top of the Home United defence, but the midfielder saw his effort well saved by Rudy Khairullah to keep the score at 1-0.
It would prove an important save as a little over 15 minutes later the home side drew level after a long range thunderbolt from 20-year-old Syahin caught Mokodompit off his line.
Knowing a vital away win was possible to start their campaign, PSM Makassar continued to push for a winner and Pluim forced Khairullah into a good save to deny his free-kick.
Five minutes later Markkanen looked to square the ball across for Marc Klok, but a last ditch tackle from Aqhari Abdullah prevented a certain goal.
Khairullah came to the rescue again for the home side to make an outstanding save to deny Bayu Gatra as the Indonesian side pushed hard for a winner. But despite their best efforts they couldn’t find the second goal needed to earn all three points and had to settle for a share of the spoils.
The Indonesian side now return home to face Lao Toyota on March 13, while Home United travel to the Philippines to face Kaya FC.
