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HUFC's skipper Shi Jiayi hoisted the Cup

It was indeed a hard fought triumph for Home United who with the win over Albirex Niigata (Singapore) had claimed the accolade being the most successful Singapore Cup side with their fifth record win.

Cautious play from both sides dominated much of the play with Albirex stroking the ball around the park with possessive tactics that failed to shackle the rock solid defence line of Rosman Sulaiman, Kenji Arai and man-of-the-match, Valery Hiek.

Valery Hiek (no 13) - rock solid in the Protectors defence

However, their counterparts were equally up to the task to contain usually reliable strikeforce spearheaded with Fred Mendy and Sherif El-Masri who were frustrated countless time by the lack of luck during the match.

Did the officials spot this "infringement" to deny Mendy first?

Just as the thought of having the match to go into extra time loomed over the sky of Tyrwhitt Road, Mendy finally found his header at the back of the net that was only to be overruled due to an infringement (pictured above).

Again with the match being perceived to head into the cruelty of penalty shootout, the lanky Frenchman finished off from close range off a Hiek latch-on header from inside the box to send the Cup to Bishan Stadium.

 Agony for Albirex's 'keeper Yoshito Matsushita (no 1) after the match

By the time everything is over at the Jalan Besar Stadium, moments after the night of glory, the title contenders didn't pop the champagne just yet.

Instead, it'll be back to the business the following day as the victorious Protectors will be at their Bishan base for their recovery session ahead of the ultimate clash against Tampines Rovers on coming Wednesday.

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