Warriors FC vs Balestier Khalsa

(May 27, Tuesday, 7.30pm, Choa Chu Kang Stadium)

Written by: Kenneth Ho

Warriors FC open its RHB Singapore Cup campaign against Balestier Khalsa and will be going into this fixture as favourites.

On league form, the Warriors are sitting in second place and only four points adrift of league leaders Brunei DPMM. Compared to the hosts, Balestier are stuck in mid-table at seventh after losing six games so far, with three draws and four wins to show for.

Coming into this game full of confidence, after beating a seemingly unstoppable DPMM in their last game at Choa Chu Kang Stadium, it seems improbable that the mighty Warriors will suffer an early exit at the hands of Balestier.

Aiding their cause will the dangerous Nicholas Velez and Miroslav Pejic, who both have proved that they have adapted well to the league and are capable of terrorising the meanest of defence.

The Tigers will be hard-pressed to stop the duo, especially since they will be lacking their captain Paul Cunningham at the backline, as he is out due to injury.

Balestier can boast of their own strike force upfront, with Goran Ljubojevic and Kim Min Ho finding the net in recent games. The former in particular, have shown that he is capable of scoring with both his head and foot, and will be a major threat to deal with.

However, they will have to contend with an in-form goalkeeper, as Hassan Sunny has been repelling almost every shot thrown at him and showing why he deserves to be Singapore’s current number one goalkeeper.

Also, Hassan has a superb defence ahead of him to ensure he has as little to do as possible. Against the second best defence in the league (15 goals conceded), Ljubojevic and Kim will have their work cut out for them.

The Tigers though can count on their pedigree as cup contenders, having won the League Cup last year, and ending in third place for the Singapore Cup.

Warriors FC – WWDLW

22/5/14    Warriors FC 1-0 Brunei DPMM

16/5/14    Geylang International 0-1 Warriors FC

8/5/14        Tampines Rovers 3-3 Warriors FC

2/5/14        Warriors FC 1-4 Home United

24/4/14    Courts Young Lions 2-3 Warriors FC

Balestier Khalsa – LWLWL

21/5/14    Balestier Khalsa 1-2 Woodlands Wellington

15/5/14    Balestier Khalsa 3-1 Courts Young Lions

9/5/14        Hougang United 2-1 Balestier Khalsa

30/4/14     Balestier Khalsa 2-0 Harimau Muda

25/4/14    Brunei DPMM 4-1 Balestier Khalsa