S League: Ljubo stars

BALESTIER 1

(Goran Ljubojevic 4)

TANJONG PAGAR 0

Striker Goran Ljubojevic is quickly becoming one of the Great Eastern-Yeo's S.League's star names.

The Balestier Khalsa marquee signing poached his third goal in as many games on Thursday night, as the Tigers saw off Tanjong Pagar United 1-0 at the Toa Payoh Stadium.

While the Croatian's first goal was a penalty and his second was the result of a goalkeeping gaffe, on Thursday night's strike was a thing of beauty.

Just four minutes into the game, Ljubojevic showed good anticipation to hold off his marker and control a long pass on his chest.

From all of 30 metres, the former Dinamo Zagreb man then let fly an audacious volley which caught goalkeeper Aurelien Herisson out of position and dipped under the crossbar into goal.

The Jaguars never recovered from that early blow, and their hopes of mounting a comeback were all but extinguished when striker

Masrezwan Masturi saw red after he lunged in on Park Kang Jin in the 54th minute.

Speaking after the match, Ljubojevic said: "Yes, I guess it was a good goal. I saw the goalkeeper a few metres out so I just took a shot. I feel okay with my start to the season."

Tanjong Pagar coach Patrick Vallee, whose side have lost their last two games, hopes their luck will change for the better. He said: "The reality is, with the injuries and suspensions we have, I can't blame my players for the way they've played."

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