Written By: Stanley Yeo

Balestier Khalsa will take a short respite from their troubled Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League campaign as they take on Kaya FC from the Philippines in the fourth round of the AFC Cup on Tuesday night at Jalan Besar Stadium.

Although Balestier have yet to win a game in domestic competition, the Tigers are level on points with Kitchee SC from Hong Kong in second place of Group F, behind leaders Kaya who have garnered six points from their first three games.

“Taking part in AFC cup had been really enjoyable, travelling around, playing good teams. We are looking forward to each game,” said Balestier coach Marko Kraljević.

“There is only one choice and that is to go all out to win the game. We have to win in order to progress to the second round.

“We are in a much better position to go through as compared to last year when the group we were in was filled with much stronger teams.”

When asked about their poor domestic form, Kraljevic replied, “It is not rocket science, our foreign players scored 35 goals for us last season, they have scored zero this season.

“We defend well, the problem is up front, we are not getting our opportunities in the attacking third.”

Despite winning the game against Balestier at home in the reverse fixture, FC Kaya head coach Joel Villarino sees his team as the underdogs ahead of the clash tomorrow.

“Pressure is on our side as it is an away game. We will do our best in the game tomorrow,” said the Filipino.

Balestier currently sit at the seventh position of the S.League table with three points from seven games and Kraljevic is definitely hoping a win from the AFC Cup clash tomorrow will convert into a timely boost for their S.League campaign.