Aidil counting on Home’s focus and local support
AFC CUP
Home United have to step up to another level if they hope to progress in the AFC Cup, said coach Aidil Sharin.
The Protectors are in the last eight of the competition, and play North Korean side April 25 in an inter-zone playoff semi-final, first-leg at the Jalan Besar Stadium tonight.
Aidil, 41, was a player when Home reached the AFC Cup semi-finals in 2004, and backed his players to prove they are ready to test themselves against competition from the rest of Asia, after triumphing in the Asean zone final two weeks ago.
At the pre-match press conference at the Oasia Hotel Novena yesterday, Aidil said: "The preparation for an AFC Cup game like this is not any different from any other big games my players have played in.
"We know this is another level from games we have played against (Philippine side) Ceres Negros or (Myanmarese side) Shan United.
| HOME UNITED | APRIL 25 |
"But they are focused, the unity in the team is getting stronger, and the boys are eager to play the North Korean team."
In 2004, Home - along with Geylang United (now known as Geylang International) - reached the AFC Cup semi-finals but were beaten by Syrian opposition in their respective ties.
The run remains the best performance by Singaporean sides in the competition.
April 25 are North Korea's most successful club, with 17 domestic league titles in their trophy cabinet.
According to their coach O Yun Son, however, his players are fatigued owing to immigration issues - they were stuck in customs for three hours - and poor hospitality.
Speaking through a translator, who was wearing a lapel pin adorned with the faces of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the late former leader Kim Jong Il, O said: "It is our first time here, so there were some difficulties and problems in immigration and customs, so we feel very tired.
PROBLEMS
"Also, in this hotel, the treatment is not good enough for us. So there are little problems, but it is OK."
Aidil, however, brushed aside all those issues and said what's most important is what happens on the pitch.
"At the end of the day, it's a home game and we must give our best," he said.
"I hope the fans enjoyed our last game (a 2-0 win over Ceres), come back and support this team again. You can see the difference the support makes to the boys' performance." - SAZALI ABDUL AZIZ
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