Balestier Khalsa vs Brunei DPMM

(August 21, Thursday, 7.30pm, Toa Payoh Stadium)

Written by: Kenneth Ho

The race for the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League title heats up as we enter the final stages the campaign. Going into this match, DPMM has a one-point lead over reigning champions Tampines Rovers who sit in second spot with 38 points.

Balestier on the other hand are in seventh place on 26 points. The Tigers trail sixth place Hougang United by seven points, and their hopes of overtaking the Cheetahs diminish with each game, with only three games left in round two.

It have been a topsy-turvy season for coach Marko Kraljevic as he had to make do without two of his key players, captain Paul Cunningham and Park Kang Jin for the early part of the season. While Park made his return in May, Cunningham is still not fully fit to be included into the squad immediately.

However, Kraljevic is aware that his side has no room for errors in this game, as they require maximum points to maintain their faint hopes of a top-six finish.

This will be no easy task against the best offensive and defensive team in the league. Cunningham might even be thrown into the fray in an attempt to deal with the aerial threat of Rodrigo Tosi.

Balestier will have some respite though, as DPMM’s coach Steve Kean will be without captain Rosmin Kamis, and Roy O’Donovan who has netted 12 times this year. The former in particular has such an understated impact on the team with his calm passing and ability to hold the midfield.

Suspensions: Rosmin Kamis,  Roy O’Donovan (both DPMM)

Key Men To Watch

Balestier Khalsa: Park Kang Jin

After a long lay-off, Park is starting to show some of the form that saw him won the Most Valuable Player award in the 2013 Starhub League Cup.

However, it has not been enough. There will be no better game for Park to really show up than against the number one team in the league right now. His sharp passing and ball holding skills be essential here, as the Tigers look to unlock the tightest defence in the league.

Brunei DPMM: Adi Said

Once DPMM’s starting forward, the youngster has been reduced to an impact player from the bench since the arrival of Roy O’Donovan.

However, like a true professional, Said has performed well whenever called upon. Hence, he will be a good replacement for the suspended O’Donovan.

With two goals, four shots on target from five for the last game against Hougang, Said proves that he will be a danger in the attacking third. In addition, the striker can also win challenges in the air, with 83% success rate in the last game against Hougang.

Balestier Khalsa – WLWDL

31/7/14    Geylang International 1-2 Balestier Khalsa

24/7/14    Tampines Rovers 3-0 Balestier Khalsa (StarHub League Cup Plate Final)

19/7/14    Balestier Khalsa 2-0 Singapore Recreation Club (StarHub League Cup Plate SF)

11/7/14    Brunei DPMM 2-2 Balestier Khalsa (StarHub League Cup Group D)

8/7/14      Balestier Khalsa 0-3 Hougang United (StarHub League Cup Group D)

Brunei DPMM – DWWWW

3/8/14      Brunei DPMM 2-2 Hougang United

25/7/14    Tanjong Pagar United 0-2 Brunei DPMM (StarHub League Cup Final)

21/7/14    Geylang International (0) 0-0 (3P) Brunei DPMM (StarHub League Cup SF)

17/7/14    Brunei DPMM 3-1 Woodlands Wellington (StarHub League Cup QF)

14/7/14    Hougang United 2-3 Brunei DPMM (StarHub League Cup Group D)

Head to Head (S.League)

25/4/14    Brunei DPMM 4-1 Balestier Khalsa

21/8/13    Brunei DPMM 1-1 Balestier Khalsa

19/4/13    Balestier Khalsa 0-1 Brunei DPMM

2/11/12    Brunei DPMM 0-2 Balestier Khalsa

10/5/12    Balestier Khalsa 1-3 Brunei DPMM