Home hero Lewis credits team effort

By Gabriel Tan

The Protectors took the lead in Thursday's game at the Yishun Stadium in the 40th minute after Qiu Li went on a terrific run through the middle and left two defenders in his wake, before slipping on John Wilkinson, who clinically fired past Wardun Yussof in the DPMM goal.

However, Home were then reduced to ten men after Sofiyan Abdul Hamid was given a straight red for allegedly lashing out at Shahrazen Said after both players were caught in a tussle, allowing the Great Eastern-YEO's S.League leaders to gain the ascendancy.

Nonetheless, despite carving out a number of excellent chances, DPMM failed to find a way past an inspired Lewis, who was named captain for the night due to regular skipper Shi Jiayi being suspended.

The ex-Singapore international produced a stunning save in the 90th minute to keep out a bicycle-kick attempt from point-blank range by Ivan Jerkovic, although he was quick to play down the significance of his performance and instead chose to credit his team-mates.

"I don't really know what was going through my mind at that moment, but I just knew I had to save it as we could not afford to lose," Lewis told ESPNSTAR.com after the game.

"It was very difficult but we got through in the end as everyone gave 100%.

"I think it was clear to see everybody put their bodies on the line in a bid to keep DPMM out, and when Qiu Li created the goal, that really lifted us up."

Before Lewis pulled off that stunning save, Jerkovic had another gilt-edged chance to equalise in the 74th minute when Shahrazen laid the ball into his path 15 yards, only for Kenji Arai to clear his goal-bound effort with a terrific header.

And Lewis believes that bit of play from Home's Japanese centre-back exemplified the mentality Home had approached the game, especially considering they were missing four first-team regular including Shi and top scorer Frederic Mendy.

"It was a solid piece of play from Kenji but everybody helped me to keep a clean sheet," he added.

"The team helped one another and that was the most important thing."

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DPMM coach Vjeran Simunic was effusive in his praise of Lewis after the game, although he did feel there was an element of luck involved in Home's win, after the Wasps were denied a penalty shout for handball in the dying minutes.

"I said before the game that Lewis is the best keeper in the S.League," Simunic said.

"I think today [Thursday] God and Lewis saved Home United."

Home will now shift their focus to the AFC Cup where they face a daunting trip to Jordan to play Syrian side Al Shorta on Tuesday.