Hard-working Tigers hold on to reach semis

Efforts made in training to address their late collapses in recent games finally worked out for Balestier Khalsa, as they saw out a vital 2-1 win over a resurgent Hougang United on Dec 7 to qualify for the semifinals for the first time since 2022.

- Jeremiah Ong

The Bishan Stadium win puts the Tigers level on seven points with the same goal difference (+3) as Hougang, but they edge ahead on goals scored - 10 compared to the Cheetahs’ eight.

It was a welcome turnaround for Balestier, who had squandered leads and dropped crucial points late into stoppage time in their last two Singapore Cup games - a 3-2 loss to Albirex Niigata and 3-3 draw with Geylang International.

Winger Ignatius Ang, who scored his side’s second goal in the 54th minute, credited the team’s “never-say-die” spirit and collective effort to close out the win.

“It happened a few times in the group stage where we were leading, and we conceded and dropped points... We addressed this in training and we are really happy with the work the team put in today,” he said.

Balestier coach Marko Kraljevic also lauded the shift his boys put in to protect the all-important lead, with industrious midfielder Masa-hiro Sugita huffing and puffing by the end.