Written By: Kenneth Ho

Balestier Khalsa and Geylang played out a 1-1 tie at Toa Payoh Stadium on Thursday evening after both sides were unable to come out on top despite the number of good chances they both had.

While it was a pretty even match, Balestier coach Marko Kraljevic lamented that it was ‘two points lost’ after the Tigers squandered some good chances to seal the game in the second half and allowed the Eagles to make a comeback.

”I’m disappointed, after the break we had good chances but we can’t finish off game you know,” Kraljevic moaned. ”Second goal never come then we never score but opponent score, soccer is like this.”

However the Balestier tactician was relieved his team managed to stem a two-game losing streak, and he refused to blame his team for the conceding a late goal which otherwise would have seen the Tigers earning their first win in five games.

”I don’t blame anybody, I think we working very hard after two losses, the boys have come back. But it is not easy, mentally it is not easy but they have come back really strongly,” he added.

While Kraljevic was upset about the draw, his counterpart Geylang coach Jorg Steinebrunner expressed contrasting views after he maintained his unbeaten reign as the Eagles coach.

”I’m happy with the point but I’m more happy with the performance,” Steinebrunner expressed.

”Today we played the better football, our intent was already clear from the first minute that we came here, in the first twenty minutes we had really good chances.”

This was also the second game in a row the Eagles have made a comeback after going behind, and Steinebrunner hailed his team for displaying good character and spirit in never giving up.

”The mentality is superb. In training we have made players realise it is alright to make mistakes because no one is perfect. If you make mistakes then you have to keep going cause a game is 90 minute,” he added.

The game also saw Leonel Felice score his fifth goal in six games for the club, and the fact was not lost on the Geylang coach as he praised his striker for his displays.

”We certainly welcome it, ” Steinebrunner shared. ”His strengths are in the box, he’s the old fashion English forward type, if you give him the ball in area then he is dangerous.”

”But he also works very hard defensively and I am pleased for him that he is scoring goals.”