Written by: Shawn Lim
Harimau Muda vs Balestier Khalsa
(Sunday, 27 September, 8.00pm, Hang Jebat Stadium)
Harimau Muda will host Balestier Khalsa at Hang Jebat Stadium on Sunday night as these two sides meet for the second time in a week.
The first match saw the Young Tigers and the Tigers battling it out to a goalless stalemate as both sides put on a good defensive performance.
Asri Mardzuki nearly scored a fantastic dipping 25-yard free-kick in the 30th minute while Miroslav Kristic failed to capitalise on Annas Rahamat error in the 50th minute as both sides had to settle for a point in the end.
The draw meant that Balestier have fallen even behind in their bid to win their first ever Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League title, but Harimau coach Razip Ismail is not about to do the Tigers any favours.
“Of course we can’t do them any favours, we need points to climb the table and we will try to win as many as we can before the season ends,” Razip said.
After matching Balestier in their last game, Razip sees no reason why the Young Tigers cannot secure a victory this time round.
“I am happy with the point, but it was unfortunate we couldn’t get the three points,” Razip said after the match at Toa Payoh Stadium.
“The way we played, the way the boys held their own and were a match for Balestier, we just couldn’t score the goal.”
The Tigers will be boosted by the return of Poh Yifeng and Yusiskandar Yusop after both players had to sit out the meeting with Harimau Muda earlier in the week because of suspension.
A victory for Kraljevic’s charges will see them move into second place, ahead of Warriors FC and Albirex Niigata (S), who both have a game in hand after their match was postponed because of the high Pollution Standards Index.
As for Harimau Muda, three points for them will ensure that they stay out of the bottom three for another week.
Key Men to Watch
Harimau Muda: Adam Nor
The livewire forward was a constant threat against Balestier at Toa Payoh Stadium with penetrating runs and willingness to take on defenders.
The Tigers will need to ensure that they close Adam early as he has a tendency to take a shot from just outside the 18-yard box.
Balestier Khalsa: Miroslav Kristic
The league’s second top-scorer endured a frustrating night against the Young Tigers earlier in the week and will be determined to get on the scoresheet at Hang Jebat Stadium.
If Kristic manages to find his scoring boots tonight, he will overtake Rafael Ramazotti and Fazrul Nawaz to become the leading scorer in the scoring charts.
Balestier Khalsa – DWLDD
22/09/15 Balestier Khalsa 0-0 Harimau Muda (S.League)
18/09/15 Balestier Khalsa 2-2 Geylang International (S.League)
13/09/15 Warriors FC 4-2 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)
29/08/15 Balestier Khalsa 2-1 Brunei DPMM (S.League)
21/08/15 Tampines Rovers 0-0 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)
Harimau Muda – LLLDD
22/09/15 Balestier Khalsa 0-0 Harimau Muda (S.League)
19/09/15 Harimau Muda 2-2 Warriors FC (S.League)
15/09/15 Tampines Rovers 5-1 Harimau Muda (S.League)
12/09/15 Brunei DPMM 2-0 Harimau Muda (S.League)
27/08/15 Harimau Muda 0-1 Tampines Rovers (S.League)
Head To Head (S.League)
22/09/15 Balestier Khalsa 0-0 Harimau Muda
27/07/15 Balestier Khalsa 2-0 Harimau Muda
05/09/14 Harimau Muda 1-5 Balestier Khalsa
30/04/14 Balestier Khalsa 2-0 Harimau Muda
11/07/13 Balestier Khalsa 1-1 Harimau Muda