The New Paper League Cup 2017 (Group B)

Brunei DPMM vs Balestier Khalsa

(11 July, Tuesday, 7.30pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

Written by: Shawn Lim

Brunei DPMM will look to cement their position at the summit of The New Paper League Cup Group B standings when they take on Balestier Khalsa at Jalan Besar Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Wasps opened their League Cup campaign with a resounding 5-1 defeat of an under-strength Tampines Rovers, but the victory will give the Bruneian side much-needed confidence in a season where almost nothing has gone right for them.

“It (League Cup) is a competition that we have done well in over the years and we have reached the finals a few times,” explained DPMM head coach Steve Kean.

“Sometimes when things don’t go right for you, it is good to leave a competition behind and have a fresh focus. Hopefully we can reach the semi-finals.”

The Scot is also hoping that DPMM’s performance against Tampines and subsequent performances in the League Cup will kick-start his team’s season and finish the season on a high.

“We hope this improves our performance and kick-start our season where we can go on and improve our league position,” explained Kean.

“We have a good environment now with local players and some import players, so we are hoping that this will translate into good results on the field.”

In contrast, Balestier have only won twice in all competitions and opened their League Cup with a 2-0 loss to Geylang International.

The Tigers tried their best to contain and defeat the Eagles, but were ultimately undone by goals by Amy Recha and Ricardo Sendra.

After witnessing that performance, Balestier head coach Marko Kraljevic will no doubt be looking for an improved showing from his charges.

“The two goals we conceded were schoolboy errors,” he lamented. “Those were good crosses, but we never mark the player twice in the six-yard box.

“We face Brunei DPMM and it won’t be easy because they have gotten the winning mentality back.”

One of the Tigers’ victories this season actually came against the Wasps in the S.League in a 2-1 win in April and the Toa Payoh-based club will be hoping for a repeat of that performance.

DPMM will continue to miss strikers Rafael Ramazotti and Daud Jared Alvarez through injuries, but will have no suspension to be concerned with.

Balestier on the other hand, will welcome back Fadli Kamis from suspension, but will be without midfielder Hanafi Akbar who is away on international duty with the Singapore Under-23s.

Brunei DPMM – DLLLW

08/07/17  Tampines Rovers 1-5 Brunei DPMM (The New Paper League Cup)

02/07/17  Warriors FC 1-0 Brunei DPMM

16/06/17  Albirex Niigata (S) 4-0 Brunei DPMM

25/05/17  Home United 9-3 Brunei DPMM

13/05/17  Garena Young Lions 0-0 Brunei DPMM

Balestier Khalsa – LLDLL

08/07/17  Balestier Khalsa 0-2 Geylang International (The New Paper League Cup)

03/07/17  Balestier Khalsa 1-2 Home United

22/06/17  Garena Young Lions 0-0 Balestier Khalsa

17/06/17  Tampines Rovers 3-1 Balestier Khalsa

01/06/17  Balestier Khalsa 3-4 Nagaworld FC (CAM) (RHB Singapore Cup)