S-League: Tigers in fine form

Heated: Balestier captain Paul Cunningham (in white) and Home’s Lee Kwan Woo (in red) were constantly getting at each other and nearly caused a free-for-all among players.

SINGAPORE - Balestier Khalsa are in great form and the talk right now in the local football fraternity is whether the Tigers can finish the regular S-League season unbeaten.

After their latest win last night - a 2-1 victory over Home United at Bishan Stadium - coach Darren Stewart thought about it for a while, before saying: "There's no reason we can't; I am not saying that we will, but the way we are playing and the confidence we've got within the team and our spirit, why not?

"It happens, teams do it. Why can't we have a crack at it?"

The Tigers are now unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions.

Balestier were a goal down in the 11th minute, after Jaslee Hatta tripped Indra Sahdan in the penalty box.

Spot on

Lee Kwan Woo made no mistake from the spot, sending a low shot past the despairing dive of Zaiful Nizam to notch his eighth league goal this season.

But the visitors slowly clawed their way back into the game and equalised when Qiu Li struck a magnificent free-kick from 30 metres out which left Shahril Jantan no chance.

The 10 minutes at either side of half-time were marred by numerous cynical challenges, all stemming from a challenge by Lee on Balestier captain Paul Cunningham, which almost caused two free-for-alls.

The Kiwi had the last laugh in the 67th minute, when the centre back was left unmarked at a corner to nod home the winner.

Home's assistant coach, Aidil Sharin, said: "To lose 2-1 after leading at home is a disappointing result. There were lots of teams around us who were dropping points but, unfortunately, we could not capitalise on it."

After last night's result, the two teams swopped places in the league table.

Balestier are now in fifth place and they have four games to play before the league splits into two halves for the new half-round format.

? TNP Man of the Match: Qiu Li (Balestier Khalsa)

? Other Result Warriors FC 2 Harimau Muda 1

Big chance for Tampines

Defending Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League champions Tampines Rovers have a chance to widen their three-point lead over Albirex Niigata at the top of the table tonight.

The league-leading Stags travel to Hougang Stadium to meet Hougang United and victory will play a huge step towards them finishing the first part of the league campaign on top of the table.