Written By: Kenneth Ho

Balestier Khalsa’s chances of landing the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League title took a huge blow after a 2-0 loss to Home United on Monday evening.

Sufianto Salleh and Ken Ilso struck in the first half at the Yishun Stadium and the Tigers never managed to recover from that setback.

The Tigers’ task are now made harder as they are six points behind Brunei DPMM and have played a game more, with only three matches remaining.

Home did not take long to open the accounts, as they struck within two minutes of kick-off.

A counterattack by Home saw Azhar marauding down the left flank and he played in Sufianto, who lashed a fierce drive past Zaiful Nizam from a tight angle. The goalkeeper managed to get a hand to the ball but it was not enough to divert it away from goal.

Home could have made it 2-0 in the 17th minute but Kamel Ramdani was just inches away from stabbing in Yasir Hanapi’s cross.

Two minutes later, Song Uiyong drove an effort just wide of the post after Azhar found him with a corner.

However, they did not have to wait long to extend their lead, with Ilso finishing off Ambroise Begue’s return pass by slotting through Zaiful’s leg in the 32nd minute.

Balesiter could have reduced the deficit four minutes later, but Kristic’s header from close range was gathered by Hyrulnizam Juma’at as the Tigers went into the break trailing by two goals.

Credit to Balestier, they came out fighting the next half and barely gave Home opportunities to add more goals.

However, they found themselves struggling to threaten much as well, as Home maintained their discipline and shape to keep the visitors at bay.

Substitute Hazzuwan Halim came close in the 76th minute but he headed just wide when Hyrulnizam found himself stranded in no man’s land after punching away Ignatius Ang’s cross.

Towards the end of the game, Miroslav Kristic drilled a free-kick just wide as Balestier suffered their first defeat in six games.

Home United: Hyrulnizam Juma’at (GK), Song Uiyong (R Aaravin 86′), Abdil Qaiyyim, Azhar Sairudin (Fazli Ayob 65′), Ken Ilso, Yasir Hanapi (C), Sirina Camara, Ambroise Begue, Ang Zhi Wei, Kamel Ramdani, Sufianto Salleh (Juma’at Jantan 76′)

Balestier Khalsa: Zaiful Nizam (GK) (C), Yusiskandar Yusop (Danial Farhan Tan 80′), Hanafi Salleh, Emir Lotinac, Zulkiffli Hassim (Hazzuwan Halim 53′), Robert Pericic, Tarik Cmajcanin, Miroslav Kristic, Jonathan Xu, Fadhil Noh (Ignatius Ang 46′), Poh Yifeng