S. LEAGUE - SINGAPORE

   

TIGERS END YOUNG TIGERS’ UNBEATEN RUN

Written By: Kenneth Ho

Balestier Khalsa brought Harimau Muda crashing back down to earth as they handed the Young Tigers their first defeat in six games after a 2-0 victory on Monday evening.

Two first-half goals by both Miroslav Kristic and Zulkiffli Hassim ensured the Tigers came out on top at the Toa Payoh Stadium, although Harimau dominated the second half.

Balestier came out of the blocks quickly as they forced Harimau goalkeeper Ilham Amirullah into action in the fourth minute, with the custodian required to thwart Cerina from close range.

Faizat Ghazali responded for Harimau in the 13th minute as he squeezed in a shot from a tight angle, but Balestier captain Zaiful Nizam reacted quickly to tip away his effort.

Balestier then seized the initiative in the 26th minute, with Kristic putting away a spot-kick after Syawal Nordin was penalised for bringing the striker down in the box.

Barely five minutes later, it became 2-0 as Zulkiffli raced onto a long ball by Zaiful before slotting the ball past Ilham.

The hosts came close to extend their lead further on several occasions thereafter but Balestier striker Robert Pericic and company often failed to hit the mark with their efforts.

However, Harimau came out of the second half strongly as they dominated possession and threatened to produce a comeback against the Tigers.

Balestier were not helped by their own injury woes too, as it forced them into using their last substitution in the 54th minute.

Earlier in the first half, Ho Wai Loon had to be replaced by Ahmad Syahir and minutes after Pericic came off for Hanafi Salleh in the second half, Balestier were forced to throw on their last substitute Ignatius Ang in the 54th minute after Fadhil Noh was stretchered off.

Unable to make any more changes, Balestier coach Marko Kraljevic could only watch on as a young and energetic Harimau side pressed his team relentlessly and dominated possession.

Credit to Kraljevic’s men, they defended stoutly and barely allowed the visitors many clear-cut opportunities.

Harimau came close on the hour mark, with Adam Nor swinging a free-kick just past the post and it was not till the 81st minute that Zaiful stopped Akhir Bahari’s fierce drive from going in.

The win took Balestier to fourth spot on 20 points, just four behind Warriors FC.

Balestier Khalsa: Zaiful Nizam (GK) (C), Yusiskandar Yusop, Emir Lotinac, Igor Cerina, Zulkiffli Hassim, Robert Pericic (Hanafi Salleh 51'), Tarik Cmajcanin, Miroslav Kristic, Fadhil Noh (Ignatius Ang 54'), Poh Yifeng, Ho Wai Loon (Ahmad Syahir 18')

Harimau Muda: Ilham Amirullah (GK), Ashmawi Yakin, Irfan Zakaria, Shahrul Igwan (Arif Anwar 46'), Adam Nor, Azrul Nizam Muhammad, Syawal Nordin (C), Faizat Ghazali (Kenny Pallraj 70), Syahrul Azwari (Akhir Bahari 78'), Annas Rahmat, Syafwan Syahlan

KRALJEVIC: HARIMAU WERE TOUGH TO DEFEAT

Written By: Kenneth Ho

Balestier coach Marko Kraljevic credited Harimau Muda for giving his side a hard time despite the Tigers ultimately running out 2-0 victors at the Toa Payoh Stadium on Monday evening.

The Tigers had went into the break with a two-goal lead after Miroslav Kristic and Zulkiffli Hassim scored in the 26th and 31st minute.

However, Harimau were the stronger team in the second half as they played a pressing game and caused Balestier to see less of the ball.

The Tigers were not helped by their lack of fresh legs in the later stage of the game, after Kraljevic was forced into making his last substitution in the 54th minute.

Ho Wai Loon had come off injured in the 18th minute, while Robert Pericic checked in for Hanafi Salleh in the 51st minute. Fadhil Noh’s injury then saw Ignatius Ang coming on shortly after, leaving Kraljevic fearing for the worst.

“Of course I was worried, it was injuries and I must change, and I was worried what if somebody else got injured,” he said.

“I don’t want to sit back, but they pushed us to sit back, I had no choice.

“It was not easy, especially in the second half because we were not able to hold the ball, we were not able to pass. Every time we got the ball, they put pressure on us and they win the ball.”

Balestier have now won two games on the trot, and are now within touching distance of league leaders Warriors FC as they lag behind by only four points with a total tally of 20.

And Kraljevic has rallied his charges to maintain their performance, as they look to push for a top-three spot.

“We are looking at third spot, we are on a good run now and hopefully we can keep clean sheets and not lose games. We want to climb the table and slowly close the gap with the top three teams,” he said.

“When you win games, everyone starts getting more confident and everyone gets better.”

Harimau coach Razip Ismail was disappointed to see his side’s run come to an end, although he felt they did their best against Balestier.

“Quite disappointed because we been playing well for the past five games,” Razip said.

“But tonight from the beginning we know Balestier is a very strong team, but we tried our best, especially in the second half, but we could not penetrate their goal.”

The Harimau coach now hopes his team can pick themselves up in time, as they face second-placed Albirex Niigata (S) in two days time.

“Another tough game is coming up in two days’ time, and I think most of our players are tired but I hope to use other players to replace those who are tired. I hope we can motivate ourselves against another tough opponent, Albirex,” he said.

GUTSY COURTS YOUNG LIONS HOLD DPMM

Written By: Kenneth Ho

A brave Courts Young Lions side came from behind to hold Brunei DPMM to a 1-1 draw at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Sunday evening.

The visitors had led through Rafael Ramazotti’s 18th minute penalty before Young Lions forward Sherif El-Masri scored his first goal of the season to secure a point for his side.

Both teams also finished the game with ten men, after Adi Said was sent off for violent conduct in the first half while Amirul Adli received his marching orders after earning a second yellow card for dissent five minutes from time.

The Young Lions had came into this game looking to maintain their impressive display from the previous game, where they beat Warriors 2-0 at the Woodlands Stadium,

And they nearly got off to a good start when El-Masri intercepted a pass to initiate a counter before releasing Jordan Webb in the third minute. However, DPMM goalkeeper Wardun Yussof was equal to the striker’s effort.

Adam Swandi then provided Amy Recha with a glorious ball but from close range, but the striker drove his shot wide of the post in the 14th minute.

The hosts were made to rue those misses in the 18th minute, as Fadli Kamis gave away a penalty after using his hand to block a cross. Ramazotti duly stepped up to score his 12th goal of the season and give DPMM the lead.

However, DPMM soon found themselves in trouble and a man down as Adi was dismissed after the referee spotted him flinging his elbow into Sheikh Abdul Hadi’s face in the 26th minute.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, DPMM still managed to create several scoring opportunities by going on the counter and Young Lions custodian Syazwan Buhari was called upon twice to deny Ramazotti.

As half-time loomed, the Young Lions came close to an equaliser with Wardun at full stretch to tip away Adam’s shot onto the woodwork.

After the break, the Young Lions proceeded to dominate possession but DPMM still looked more dangerous on the break. On several occasions, Shiekh and Adli were required to put in brave challenges to halt DPMM’s counterattacks.

At the DPMM end, Fadli nearly made amends for his mistake in the 63rd minute, but he headed over from close range after Adam found him with a free-kick from the left.

The visitors responded with a similar attack in the 66th minute, only for Syazwan to deny Azwan Ali with a good stop.

Two minutes later, both sides suffered the agony of hitting the post, with Sergio smashing his shot onto the woodwork before Young Lions defender Sheikh suffered a similar fate at the other end.

The equalising goal finally came in the 79th minute, when El-Masri met Adam’s corner to power a header into the back of the net.

The hosts then had a chance to score the winner in the 84th minute, but substitute Danial Razali’s drive was tipped away by Wardun.

As the final whistle drew closer, Adli found himself given his marching orders in the 85th minute after he earned a second yellow card for dissent.

Courts Young Lions Syazwan Buhari (GK) (C), Fadli Kamis, Amirul Adli, M.Anumanthan (Shameer Aziq 56'), Amy Recha (Danial Razali 56'), Jordan Webb, Sheikh Abdul Hadi, Adam Swandi, Sherif El-Masri, Afiq Noor (Suria Prakash 76'), Farhan Rahmat

Brunei DPMM: Wardun Yussof (GK), Sairol Sahari, Azwan Ali (Maududi Hilmi 81), Paulo Sergio, Hendra Azam, Joseph Gamble, Rosmin Kamis (C), Boris Raspudic, Aminuddin Zakwan, Rafael Ramazotti, Adi Said

TABLE STANDINGS

•  
• P
• W
• D
• L
• GD
• PTS

• 1
• Warriors FC
• 12
• 8
• 0
• 4
• 2
• 24

• 2
• Albirex Niigata FC (S)
• 13
• 7
• 2
• 4
• 6
• 23

• 3
• Brunei DPMM FC
• 11
• 6
• 3
• 2
• 7
• 21

• 4
• Balestier Khalsa FC
• 12
• 6
• 2
• 4
• 5
• 20

• 5
• Tampines Rovers FC
• 11
• 5
• 2
• 4
• 4
• 17

• 6
• Home United FC
• 13
• 3
• 5
• 5
• -1
• 14

• 7
• Harimau Muda
• 9
• 4
• 1
• 4
• -3
• 13

• 8
• Geylang International FC
• 12
• 3
• 3
• 6
• -2
• 12

• 9
• Hougang United FC
• 13
• 2
• 4
• 7
• -10
• 10

• 10
• Courts Young Lions
• 10
• 2
• 2
• 6
• -8
• 8