Written by: Shawn Lim
Balestier Khalsa vs Brunei DPMM
(Friday, 24 June, 8pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)
After their embarrassing 1-1 draw with cellar-dwellers Garena Young Lions last week, Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League defending champions Brunei DPMM will definitely be looking to make amends when they face Balestier Khalsa on Friday night.
Even though it was the Wasps who took the lead against the Young Lions, they were never truly in the game and were dominated by their opponents from the start and could have lost the game if the Young Lions had converted all their chances.
DPMM’s backline looked shaky throughout the night as well in their 3-4-3 formation, as their teammates in midfield either failed to track back fast enough or lost the ball easily whenever they were placed under pressure.
While coach Steve Kean has admitted that retaining their title is all but impossible now, the Scot will be keen for the Wasps to avoid another embarrassment against the Tigers, who lie just one spot above the Young Lions.
For the Tigers, despite seeing their unbeaten run come to a halt the last time out when they lost 3-2 to Tampines Rovers, there were a lot of positives from the loss that they could take after the game.
For one, the never-say-die spirit is still there after a tough and challenging season to date, plus the partnership between Niko Tokic and Miroslav Kristic is blossoming extremely quickly after just three games playing together.
The two Croatians will be rubbing their hands in anticipation of facing DPMM’s backline, and with the Tigers likely to use their favoured 4-4-2 formation and employ wingers to stretch the play, the Wasps might just be overrun again in midfield.
Balestier Khalsa – LDDWL
17/06/16 Balestier Khalsa 2-3 Tampines Rovers (S.League)
14/06/16 Home United 1-3 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)
10/06/16 Balestier Khalsa 2-2 Hougang United (S.League)
20/05/16 Warriors FC 1-1 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)
14/05/16 Balestier Khalsa 1-3 Geylang International (S.League)
Brunei DPMM – DWLLD
19/06/16 Garena Young Lions 1-1 Brunei DPMM (S.League)
11/06/16 Tampines Rovers 4-3 Brunei DPMM (S.League)
19/05/16 Home United 5-0 Brunei DPMM (S.League)
14/05/16 Brunei DPMM 3-2 Hougang United (S.League)
05/05/16 Warriors FC 1-1 Brunei DPMM (S.League)
Head to Head (S.League)
15/04/16 Brunei DPMM 3-1 Balestier Khalsa
21/11/15 Brunei DPMM 4-0 Balestier Khalsa
29/08/15 Balestier Khalsa 2-1 Brunei DPMM
01/05/15 Brunei DPMM 1-2 Balestier Khalsa
25/10/14 Brunei DPMM 1-1 Balestier Khalsa
