Written by: Rashid Sulaiman
Balestier Khalsa vs Hougang United
(Friday, 10 June, 8pm, Toa Payoh Stadium)
With only a win and seven goals scored in the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League, Balestier Khalsa coach Marko Kraljevic believes that he has found the answer to their scoring woes with the arrival of new striker Niko Tokic.
“He (Tokic) is tall, 1.86m and is good in the air. He will give the opponents a difficult time in the box as he is very strong and hopefully he will bring us more goals,” said Kraljevic, who is confident that his team can turn around their fortunes in the second round of matches.
Prior to the international break, the Tigers managed to arrest their losing streak after holding Warriors FC to a 1-1 draw, putting up an improved performance as compared to their previous matches.
“It is a much needed break as we have time to regroup. We are slowly improving as you can see in our last match (against Warriors), but the main concern for us was the attacking part,” added Kraljevic who is gunning for maximum points against the Cheetahs.
Although the meeting between the two teams earlier in the season ended in a 1-0 win to Hougang, Kraljevic believes that they are able to match their opponents.
“That game we missed a few chances and then we conceded a goal late in the game.. We did not play that bad,” explained Kraljevic, whose team will be missing Syafiq Zainal and Hanafi Salleh due to suspension.
“We have been training very hard to prepare for this match and we are confident to perform well.”
Suspensions: Syafiq Zainal and Hanafi Salleh (both Balestier Khalsa)
Balestier Khalsa – DLLLW
20/05/16 Warriors FC 1-1 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)
14/05/16 Balestier Khalsa 1-3 Geylang International (S.League)
10/05/16 Kitchee SC 4-0 Balestier Khalsa (AFC Cup)
06/05/16 Albirex Niigata 6-0 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)
21/04/16 Balestier Khalsa 2-0 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
Hougang United – DLDLW
19/05/16 Hougang United 1-1 Garena Young Lion (S.League)
14/05/16 Brunei DPMM 3-2 Hougang United (S.League)
04/05/16 Hougang United 1-1 Tampines Rovers (S.League)
29/04/16 Home United 3-2 Hougang United (S.League)
14/04/16 Warriors 0-1 Hougang United (S.League)
Head-to-Head (S.League)
19/03/16 Hougang United 1-0 balestier Khalsa
01/11/15 Hougang United 1-1 Balestier Khalsa
07/08/15 Balestier Khalsa 3-2 Hougang United
18/04/15 Hougang United 0-1 Balestier Khalsa
27/08/14 Balestier Khalsa 4-1 Hougang United
*Photo by Balestier Khalsa Football Club*