Written by: Aysha Ridzuan

Balestier Khalsa vs Garena Young Lions
(Thursday, 21 April, 7.30pm, Toa Payoh Stadium)

Balestier Khalsa will kick-off the second round of the 2016 Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League by hosting Garena Young Lions on Thursday night at Toa Payoh Stadium.

After eight games, both teams share three points with Young Lions rooted at the bottom of the table just below the Tigers.

Young Lions have only one win so far and it was against Balestier at the start of the season  while Balestier are still looking for their first win after three draws and five losses.

22 goals have gone passed Young Lions’ custodians but perhaps they would not have to worry about conceding against the Tigers on Thursday knowing that their opponents have been struggling to get the ball behind the net, scoring only three goals.

It is important for Balestier to step up their game against Young Lions who will be coming into this game bolstered with a fit squad after welcoming back some players from injuries.

Young Lions striker Khairul Amri who has started training with the team this week, could get some minutes on Thursday.

His presence in the team will be a great boost for the Young Lions as their attacking force has had a hard time to convert their chances in their previous games.

A win will boost Balestier’s morale, but to do that they have to start scoring more goals and therefore striker Miroslav Kristic, who has not scored a goal yet this season, will need the support from his teammates to get him on the scoresheet.

However, despite lacking in goals, Balestier has a solid backline that their opponents have found very difficult to penetrate and the same will be expected on Thursday.

Key Men To Watch

Balestier Khalsa: Fazli Ayob

Tigers may not score a lot of goals but they have caused troubles to their opponents through set-pieces and most of the time the threat came from Fazli Ayob.

In the previous game against Brunei DPMM, Fazli’s cross has allowed Hazzuwan Halim to score for the Tigers and had a chance himself with a low shot after that.

Balestier can count on Fazli to take advantage of opponent’s’ mistakes.

Garena Young Lions: Fareez Farhan

Fareez has five goals under his belt for the Young Lions so far as he continue to challenge himself in every game.

His determination to contribute to the team could inspire his teammates to put up a good level of performance.

Balestier Khalsa – LLLLL

15/04/16  Brunei DPMM 3-1 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)
12/04/16  Balestier Khalsa 0-3 Kaya FC (AFC Cup)
07/04/16  Tampines Rovers 1-0 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)
03/04/16  Balestier Khalsa 0-1 Home United (S.League)
19/03/16  Hougang United 1-0 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)

Garena Young Lions – LLLLL

08/04/16  Brunei DPMM 4-1 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
03/04/16  Garena Young Lions 1-2 Tampines Rovers (S.League)
17/03/16  Home United 4-1 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
10/03/16  Garena Young Lions 1-3 Hougang United (S.League)
04/03/16  Warriors FC 2-0 Garena Young Lions (S.League)

Head to Head (S.League)

14/02/16  Garena Young Lions 1-0 Balestier Khalsa
19/10/15  Balestier Khalsa 1-0 Courts Young Lions
31/07/15  Courts Young Lions 2-2 Balestier Khalsa
04/04/15  Balestier Khalsa 5-1 Courts Young Lions
15/05/14  Balestier Khalsa 3-1 Courts Young Lions