Written by: Shawn Lim

The New Paper League Cup Plate Semi-Final

Hougang United vs Balestier Khalsa
(Monday, 25 July, 7.30pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

Hougang United will meet Balestier Khalsa in The New Paper League Cup 2016 Plate semi-final on Monday night at Jalan Besar Stadium after finishing third and last respectively in their groups.

The Tigers, who were runners-ups last year, were confident of securing at least a second place in Group B, which consisted the likes of Albirex Niigata (S), Home United and Geylang International, but fell way short of their own expectations after finishing bottom with no wins to account for.

Balestier could have secured a Cup semi-final berth in their last game against Home if they achieved a win and were on course to do so until a Hanafi Salleh own goal five minutes from time helped the Protectors secure a draw and destroyed the Tigers’ dreams.

“It was very cruel to go out because of an own goal, because the players put up an excellent performance tonight, ” said a dejected-looking Balestier coach Marko Kraljevic after the game.

“We were the better team, but this is football, the better team don’t always win, so we have to move on from here.

“Since we meet Hougang next, we will now refocus and do what we have to do to to win the Plate.”

Meanwhile, the Cheetahs recovered from a 6-4 loss and a 2-0 loss to Tampines Rovers and Brunei DPMM respectively to thrash Warriors FC 4-1 in their final group game and set up a meeting with the Tigers.

The morale-boosting will give K.Balagumaran renewed confidence to challenge for the Plate, but they will miss the services of Fairoz Hasan and Wahyudi Wahid who are suspended, as well as Faiz Salleh and Stipe Plazibat who are both injured.

Suspension: Ahmad Syahir (Balestier Khalsa), Fairoz Hasan and Wahyudi Wahid (Hougang United)

Hougang United – WLLLW

21/07/16  Hougang United 4-1 Warriors FC (League Cup)
17/07/16  Hougang United 0-2 Brunei DPMM (League Cup)
13/07/16  Tampines Rovers 6-4 Hougang United (League Cup)
23/06/16  Hougang United 1-3 Warriors FC (S.League)
18/06/16  Geylang International 1-2 Hougang United (S.League)

Balestier Khalsa – WDDLD

22/07/16  Balestier Khalsa 2-2 Home United (League Cup)
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)