The New Paper League Cup 2017 (Group B)

Balestier Khalsa vs Tampines Rovers

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

Written by: Phoon Jia Hui

 

Balestier Khalsa and Tampines Rovers will face off in their final Group B match of The New Paper League Cup at Toa Payoh Stadium on Friday night, with both sides standing no chance of making the last four of the competition.

The Tigers fell 2-0 to Geylang International in their opening game before they were handed a 3-0 reverse by three-time winners Brunei DPMM.

Tampines on the other hand, were beaten 5-1 by DPMM in their first match before they went on to lose 4-1 to eastern rivals Geylang in their previous match.

As such, the two teams will come into this one with only pride to play for.

Having fielded a number of Prime League players so far, Stags head coach Jurgen Raab will do the same against the 2013 League Cup champions.

“I have said from the beginning that I am going to give my national players days off for recovery as they have played many games this season,” he shared.

“That’s why I am giving the chance to my young players as well as those who have not played too much this season.

“Ehvin (Sasidharan) and (Danish) Uwais are players who have come in and done well. Uwais has started in his second match and I am impressed with what I’ve seen from him. Ehvin can do better, while Khairul (Nizam) has showed some good potential in attack.”

Raab believes this experience can only be beneficial and help these youngsters grow as a result.

“We paid for the price for being too open at the back, especially for the mistakes in defence,” he said.

“With this kind of performance, I was satisfied as it is good for development. However, the players must feel really disappointed to leave the pitch with a scoreline like this (4-1 to Geylang).

“But they are responsible for this. They have to learn; I told the players there is no time to look forward. We can only look forward if we learn. That’s what I am expecting – we must change something in the future matches.

“We must learn from our mistakes and hopefully do better against Balestier in our next game.”

Balestier head coach Marko Kraljevic meanwhile, was despondent after their defeat to DPMM but has vowed to put out his strongest team as they look for their first victory of the competition.

“The defeat to DPMM was hard to swallow,” he admitted.

“It’s very tough for us at the moment, to lose game after game. If we had converted one of those chances in the first half and not concede just before half time, it would be a different story.

“We’re now out, but I’m still going to put the best line-up to play against Tampines because we still have pride to play for.”

Balestier Khalsa –  LDLLL

11/07/17 Brunei DPMM 3-0 Balestier Khalsa (The New Paper League Cup)

08/07/17 Balestier Khalsa 2-0 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

Tampines Rovers – WWDLL

11/07/17 Tampines Rovers 1-4 Geylang International (The New Paper League Cup)

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

29/06/17 Tampines Rovers 1-1 Geylang International

22/06/17 Warriors FC 0-1 Tampines Rovers

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