Having exited to Ceres at the same stage last year after the Filipino team recorded a 3-2 aggregate win, Home United were determined to go one better in 2018 and avenge a loss which had seen them throw away a first-leg advantage.
After a tight and tense first half in which they survived multiple close calls, the Singaporean side opened things up in the second half and two goals in the space of just 10 minutes from Shakir Hamzah and Song Ui-young secured progression to an Inter-Zone semi-final against DPR Korea’s 4.25 SC.
“It’s all about the hard work that we’ve been doing,” said a jubilant Sharin, whose side played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Bacolod City last week.
“It’s not just about today’s game, but it’s from the first game we played in January until now and the boys really wanted to win, they worked hard and all the credit goes to them.”
Sharin’s opposing coach, Risto Vidakovic, was equally effusive in his praise of the Singapore side, admitting that the right team advanced to the next phase.
“I think Home United deserved the win,” the Serbian coach said.
“We came a bit tired into this game because we didn’t have pre-season, we played many games, (had) many flights and the players are tired.
“But I think they deserve the win and we (now) have to look forward to next season.”
The hard work that Sharin spoke of doesn’t end here for Home United, as they now must recover quickly before they face DPR Korea powerhouse 4.25 in the Inter-Zone semi-finals, with the first leg to be played in Singapore in two weeks.
The East Asian side go into the two-legged fixture on the back of six successive victories on the continent after finishing six points clear of second-placed Benfica Macau in Group I to be crowned East Zonal champions, recording a group stage high of 23 goals in the process.
