News Singapore Premier League • September 27, 2018

Singapore Premier League Preview: Balestier and DPMM to go all out

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Huzaifah Aziz has been in good form for Balestier.

SINGAPORE, 27 SEP 2018Balestier Khalsa FC and Brunei DPMM FC will face off again this Saturday, 29 September at Toa Payoh Stadium, 5.30pm, just three days after doing so in the RHB Singapore Cup semi-finals.

BACKGROUND Although Balestier were arguably the better team, they lost 2-0 in the first leg of their Singapore Cup semi-final against DPMM on Wednesday night at Jalan Besar Stadium.

Despite the second leg taking place next Wednesday, 3 October, both Head Coaches have vowed to put out their best possible teams this weekend.

While there is the threat of risking injuries to key players, both Marko Kraljevic and Rene Weber are still keen to finish as high as possible in the Great Eastern-Hyundai Singapore Premier League (SPL).

Balestier can still climb up to fifth if they win and Warriors lose to Albirex Niigata FC (S), while DPMM are still in the race to finish in second spot.

Kraljevic is also looking to arrest the Tigers’ run of two straight losses, saying his players could do with a confidence-booster ahead of the second leg.

DPMM, on the other hand, are looking to maintain their momentum, having won four on the trot and gone unbeaten in their last eight matches.

TEAM NEWS
Weber will return to the dugout following his suspension in midweek, but star duo Shah Razen Said and Azwan Ali Rahman will miss out though through suspension.

Balestier should largely field the same squad that played in Wednesday’s fixture.

FORM GUIDE
Balester: WWWWD
DPMM: LLWDD

PREVIOUS MEETINGS
04/07/18: DPMM 2-0 Balestier – Singapore Cup
05/05/18: DPMM 2-2 Balestier – Singapore Premier League
27/10/17: Balestier 1-2 DPMM – Singapore Premier League
25/07/17: DPMM 1-4 Balestier – Singapore Premier League
07/07/17: Balestier 2-2 DPMM – Singapore Premier League

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR
Huzaifah Aziz – Balestier
Huzaifah was sublime in the last game, sending in crosses with pin-point accuracy and will hope his team-mates are less wasteful this time.

Adi Said – DPMM
The younger brother of Shah Razen has truly come of age this season, scoring 10 goals and providing 13 assists for his team. He will be one of the danger men Balestier have to keep an eye on.

WHAT ELSE THEY SAID
Balestier Head Coach Kraljevic: “If we win the game on Saturday, we will get a lot of confidence and players with confidence are better players.

“There is a lot at stake on Saturday, they are looking to finish second and we are looking to finish in fifth if we win the game.

“We will put the most available players out. Three days to our next game, our young boys can recover in time for it.”

DPMM Team Manager Hj Ali Momin: “We will still put out our best players but we have to check if the players are fit because there are only a few days of rest.

“We want to keep the winning mentality. We are still fighting for second and we have two more games. We have to take Saturday’s game seriously and our target is to try our best.”

Get your tickets for ALL Singapore Premier League games at fas.org.sg/tickets and watch Balestier battle DPMM at fas.org.sg/live1!