TAMPINES Rovers began their hunt for a fourth successive Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League title in winning fashion on Friday evening, defeating rivals Home United 1-0 in the season-opener at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

The Stags' marquee signing for the new season, Serbian striker Miljan Mrdakovic, scored the only goal of the game in the 47th minute, when he deftly controlled Roberto Martinez's cross and slid it past goalkeeper Shahril Jantan.

It was Mrdakovic's second goal in as many competitive matches for his new club. He had also scored in their 1-2 defeat by Hong Kong's South China in an AFC Champions League play-off.

Home, tipped as favourites to topple the defending champions this season, finished the match with 10 men when Singapore international Qiu Li received his marching orders eight minutes from the end for kicking out at Tampines substitute Anaz Hadee.