Balestier bullish after tough start

Great Eastern-Yeo’s S-League 2009

Balestier v DPMM FC

Toa Payoh Stadium, 7.45pm

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BALESTIER Khalsa, who host unbeaten league debutants DPMM FC tonight, drew the toughest first four fixtures you could ask for in the Great Eastern-Yeo’s S-League 2009.

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Their first three ties pitted them with the S-League’s “Big Three” clubs, and the Tigers were beaten by defending champions SAFFC and Home by 3-0 scorelines, but they took immense satisfaction from their 1-1 draw with Tampines Rovers. They followed that up with another 1-1 draw with the Super Reds, last season’s runners-up.

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Although Balestier are still dead last in the 12-team table, head coach Nasaruddin Jalil (picture) said his side are full of confidence as nobody expected them to come away from their first four matches with any points.

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And he fully expects to hand DPMM their first defeat of the season, never mind that the Brunei club have three wins and a draw, good for third place in the table behind SAFFC and Gombak United.

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“DPMM are a good side, I’ll admit,” said Nasaruddin. “But after our last two games, especially against Tampines, the boys are confident and we are not stepping onto the field with the intention of getting only a point.

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“We want all three.”

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Balestier are still without their Chilean midfielder Julio Eduardo and Brazilian striker Ednardo Moura, who missed the last game due to groin injuries and have yet to recover.

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Said Nasaruddin: “I wish I had them, but it doesn’t mean we will let up. The important thing is that we have players who are eager to get into the starting XI and they want to fight.” Ian De Cotta