Balestier Khalsa vs Tampines Rovers

(Saturday, 11 March, 7.30pm, Toa Payoh Stadium)

Written by: Shawn Lim

Balestier Khalsa are determined to halt their two-game winless run in the Great Eastern-Hyundai S.League when they welcome Tampines Rovers to the Toa Payoh Stadium on Saturday night.

The Tigers have yet to register a win in the league this season despite initial excitement from the arrival of Myanmarese attacking trio Kyaw Zayar Win, Nanda Linn Kyaw Chit and Aung Kyaw Naing, which promised to add an extra bite to the team’s attacking threat.

However, the lack of an out-and-out striker for Balestier has hurt the team’s chances with Marko Kraljevic’s charges struggling to put away their chances in front of goal.

Admitting that goals are currently a cause of concern for the Tigers, defender Fadli Kamis insists the team is staying optimistic and are working hard on the training ground.

“We need to score in order to win games, so we definitely need to take our chances up front and convert every chance that comes our way,” the right-back explained.

“Even though we are not winning, the confidence and morale of the team is still good. We are trying to keep our head high and think positive.”

As Balestier prepares to take on the Stags, who notched their first win of the season against Hougang United in their last game, Fadli believes that hard work is the only way forward for the team.

“The team is really working hard because we want to improve and do better the next game,” explained the 24-year-old.

“We have to continue to believe in ourselves and trust that our hard work on the training ground will pay off in the end.”

Meanwhile, it has been a season of mixed results for Tampines so far, with one win and one loss in the S.League to date. The Stags are also coming into the game on the back of a 5-0 loss to Ceres-Negros FC in the AFC Cup.

However, with the Stags prevailing over the Tigers in their two league meetings last season, Juergen Raab’s charges will be itching to use this game to kickstart their season with Yasir Hanapi returning from suspension.

Tampines will be without Shahdan Sulaiman and Fazrul Nawaz due of injuries, while Madhu Mohana and Ismadi Mukhtar are still serving their suspension and will only be available for selection after this match.

Suspensions: Madhu Mohana and Ismadi Mukhtar (both Tampines Rovers)

Balestier Khalsa – LWLLL

04/03/17    Geylang International 2-0 Balestier Khalsa

28/02/17    Balestier Khalsa 1-2 Warriors FC

29/10/16    Balestier Khalsa 1-2 Ceres-Negros (Singapore Cup)

26/10/16    Balestier Khalsa 2-0 Brunei DPMM

22/10/16    Tampines Rovers 2-0 Balestier Khalsa

Tampines Rovers – LWLWL

07/03/17    Ceres-Negros 5-0 Tampines Rovers (AFC Cup)

03/03/17    Tampines Rovers 2-1 Hougang United

26/02/17    Albirex Niigata (S) 2-1 Tampines Rovers

21/02/17    Tampines Rovers 2-1 Felda United (AFC Cup)

24/01/17    Global FC 2-0 Tampines Rovers (AFC Champions League)

Head to Head (S.League)

22/10/16    Tampines Rovers 2-0 Balestier Khalsa

17/06/16    Balestier Khalsa 2-3 Tampines Rovers

07/04/16    Tampines Rovers 1-0 Balestier Khalsa

05/11/15    Balestier Khalsa 4-3 Tampines Rovers

21/08/15    Tampines Rovers 0-0 Balestier Khalsa