Written by: Rashid Sulaiman

The New Paper League Cup (Group B)

Balestier Khalsa vs Home United

(Friday, 22 July, 7.30pm, Toa Payoh Stadium)

It will be winners take all for the last available semi-final spot when Balestier Khalsa host Home United in the The New Paper League Cup Group B encounter at the Toa Payoh Stadium on Friday night.

The Protectors are currently  second in the group with three points while the Tigers are a spot behind them on a point, courtesy of their 2-2 draw with bottom team Geylang International in their opening game. Albirex Niigata (S) meanwhile are top of the table after two wins in as many matches.

With all to play for, fans can expect both sides to go out with all guns blazing as they look to seal their passage to the knockout phase of the Cup competition while the bottom two teams of the group will battle for the Plate trophy.

For coach Marko Krajlevic, he will be hoping his Balestier side put out their best performance as he seeks to put his hands on the League Cup title.

“Now we need to win our last game against Home (United) to qualify; no need to calculate a lot. Hopefully we can improve,” said Kraljevic.

“When you have Albirex in your group, it will be tough because they are currently the best team in the S.League,” added Kraljevic, who will be without captain Zaiful Nizam as the goalkeeper is away on international duty.

Likewise, the same can be said for Home coach Philippe Aw whose side will be brimming with confidence after finally tasting victory in their previous match against Geylang, having gone seven games without winning in all competitions prior to that.

“It is a big and important win for us because we have been on a bad run of results and we haven’t kept a clean sheet in a long, long time. It was a much-deserved victory,” said Aw after their 5-0 thumping of Geylang.

Balestier Khalsa – LWDDL

18/07/16 Albirex Niigata (S) 2-0 Balestier Khalsa (League Cup)

14/07/16  Balestier Khalsa 2-2 Geylang International (League Cup)

30/06/16  Home United 2-2 Balestier Khalsa (Singapore Cup)

27/06/16  Balestier Khalsa 2-1 Home United (Singapore Cup)

24/06/16  Balestier Khalsa 1-4 Brunei DPMM (S.League)

Home United – LLDLW

18/07/16 Geylang International 0-5 Home United (League Cup)

14/07/16 Home United 0-2 Albirex Niigata (S) (League Cup)

30/06/16  Home United 2-2 Balestier Khalsa (Singapore Cup)

27/06/16  Balestier Khalsa 2-1 Home United (Singapore Cup)

23/06/16  Home United 1-2 Geylang International (S.League)