Written by: Shawn Lim

Tampines Rovers vs Balestier Khalsa
(Thursday, 7 April, 7.30pm, Jurong West Stadium)

Balestier Khalsa face a tricky trip to Jurong West Stadium on Thursday night to face unbeaten Tampines Rovers, with the Tigers still searching for their first win after six games into the 2016 Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League.

The Tigers have drawn thrice and lost twice in their last five games, as they languish in eighth place in the league table, level on points with cellar-dwellars Garena Young Lions.

In contrast, the Stags have won three out of their last five games and currently hold the record for the most number of goals scored this season at 12 goals.

That does not bode well for Balestier, who despite having the joint-top defensive record in the league, have been unable to find the back of the net because of key injuries to strikers Robert Pericic and Miroslav Kristic, who has since recovered.

In the absence of the two Croatians, Jamil Ali and Syafiq Zainal have failed to fill their boots, one of the many reasons for the Tigers’ lack of goals.

The Stags on the other hand, have no such problems as their deadly strikeforce of Jermaine Pennant, Jordan Webb and Billy Mehmet, have notched up multiple goals and assists.

Coach V.Sundramoorthy also has quality players he can call on from the bench that can change matches, like Christopher Van Huizen, who has three assists and a goal, despite not featuring much in the first-team squad.

However, Sundram will have to make do without first-choice goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud, who injured himself in the Stags’ 2-1 win over the Garena Young Lions last week, with Joey Sim set to deputise.

Key Men To Watch

Tampines Rovers: Billy Mehmet

Signed for his deadly instinct in front of goals, the former Ireland U-21 International have so far failed to live up to expectations, finding the back of the net only twice so far this season.

While he has four assists to his name, Mehmet will have to pick up the burden of scoring goals if he wants to reproduce the incredible he had in the Malaysia Super League.

Balestier Khalsa: Smajovic Sadin

The 20-year-old has proven to be an adept replacement for Tarik Čmajčanin and loves driving forward with the ball to take shots at goal.

The midfielder could have netted a brace in the Tigers’ 1-0 loss to Home United last week and will be keen to find the back of the net against Tampines.

Tampines Rovers – DWDWW

03/04/16  Garena Young Lions 1-2 Tampines Rovers (S.League)
19/03/16  Brunei DPMM 1-2 Tampines Rovers (S.League)
15/03/16  Tampines Rovers 1-1 Ceres La Salle (AFC Cup)
08/03/16  Selangor FA 0-1 Tampines Rovers (AFC Cup)
03/03/16  Home United 1-1 Tampines Rovers (S.League)

Balestier Khalsa – DDDLL

03/04/16  Balestier Khalsa 0-1 Home United (S.League)
19/03/16  Hougang United 1-0 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)
11/03/16  Balestier Khalsa 1-1 Warriors FC (S.League)
03/03/16  Geylang International 0-0 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)
27/02/16  Balestier Khalsa 1-1 Albirex Niigata (S) ( S.League)

Head to Head (S.League)

05/11/15  Balestier Khalsa 4-3 Tampines Rovers
21/08/15  Tampines Rovers 0-0 Balestier Khalsa
22/04/15  Balestier Khalsa 1-1 Tampines Rovers
18/10/14 Tampines Rovers 3-1 Balestier Khalsa
24/06/14 Balestier Khalsa 0-2 Tampines Rovers