RHB Singapore Cup Quarter-Final First Leg

Balestier Khalsa vs Geylang International

(June 28, Saturday, 7.30pm, Toa Payoh Stadium)

Written by: Muhammad Yazid

The Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League takes a short break as it makes way for the RHB Singapore Cup quarter-finals, and Balestier Khalsa welcome Geylang International for the first leg tie at the Toa Payoh Stadium on Saturday evening.

Just by looking back on how these two sides overcame the preliminary rounds with unexpected results, one can simply predict the intensity of the game, as it is expected to be end-to-end.

Balestier shockingly knocked out Warriors FC 3-1, ending the title-chasers’ hopes of relishing a sweet start to the campaign one month ago.

Geylang on the other hand were enjoying a thump as they completely shrugged off Woodlands Wellington to a 5-1 defeat.

In this quarter-final encounter, the first thing both sides would have to do would be to leave the league thoughts aside.

The two bottom half of the table sides have not been getting good results and it seems like they might have to end the season failing to make it two the top-six.

Seventh placed Balestier are trailing sixth placed Home United by eight points, it may have to be a mountain to climb.

Geylang are on ninth place with 18 points, five points behind the Tigers.

However, despite being separated by five points in the league, the quarter-finals of the Singapore Cup may be a case of stalemate as both teams are of a similar calibre.

Balestier’s coach Marko Kraljevic is looking forward to the first leg and hopes to get back on winning ways.

“It is a very crucial game against Geylang and we are going all out to reach the semi-finals,” he revealed.

“We learn how to win and lose and move on by learning from our mistakes,” the gaffer mentioned, after a streak of inconsistent results.

All eyes will be on the front-line of both sides, as Balestier’s Ljubojevic would be eyeing the back of the net, having the support of Park and Kim Minho, while Geylang’s Felice and Aliff would be keen in converting their chemistry into goals.

Wing-backs Yusiskandar Yusop and Syed Thaha would have to stay on their feet for the full 90 minutes as they would be expecting Geylang’s Ridhuan Muhammad and Mustaqim to torment down the flanks.

Both Balestier and Geylang would be hoping to claim a positive result or anything that can add on to their second-leg encounter one week later and help them qualify to the next round.

Balestier Khalsa – LWDDW

24/6/14    Balestier Khalsa 0-2 Tampines Rovers

20/6/14    Balestier Khalsa 3-0 Home United

12/6/14    Warriors FC 1-1 Balestier Khalsa

8/6/14      Balestier Khalsa 1-1 Albirex Niigata (S)

4/6/14      Tanjong Pagar United 0-3 Balestier Khalsa

Geylang International – LLDDW

23/6/14    Hougang United 2-0 Geylang International

19/6/14    Geylang International 2-3 Harimau Muda

14/6/14    Brunei DPMM 0-0 Geylang International

9/6/14      Courts Young Lions 0-0 Geylang International

6/6/14      Geylang International 1-0 Tampines Rovers