In an end-to-end contest where VAR stole much of the spotlight, it was the last kick of the game that would prove decisive as Balestier Khalsa rescued a 3-3 draw with Croatian under-19 international Tin Matic converting his spot-kick after more than 106 minutes played.
Having played four Singapore Premier League games this term, the Tigers have developed a habit of scoring late, clutch goals, with Matic’s penalty adding to Elijah Lim’s stoppage-time winner against Young Lions and Ignatius Ang’s 83rd-minute equaliser against Albirex Niigata (S).
Balestier head coach Marko Kraljevic was delighted at earning a hard-fought point against BG Tampines Rovers.
Balestier’s Belief
“I reminded them of these comebacks at halftime. This result shows the quality of the team and their mentality. To keep their shape against good teams like that while trying to score a goal is not easy. It was an unbelievable performance.”
The ding-dong battle on Sunday (Oct 19) night saw various VAR interventions and notably, three crucial pitchside reviews, including the one that led to the dramatic equaliser, where Tampines defender Dylan Fox was deemed to have handled the ball after a Daniel Goh cross.
“Coach Marko knew my strengths when putting me on… He likes it when I run down the flanks and get in behind. And today, it paid off,” Goh said. “I knew I had chances; it was just about whether I could execute it.”
“Before the game, coach Marko talked about how not many teams in Singapore can mount a comeback like this after trailing. I have to thank the team for their never-say-die mentality. Even though we were one goal down, everyone still gave their best,” said the 26-year-old winger, who had been dropped from the starting lineup for the first time this season in favour of Ang.
Title Hopes Take Hit
The result consigned title hopefuls Tampines to fourth (five points), seven points adrift of the flawless Sailors.
In what was their first league game in more than a month due to AFC Asian Champions League Two (ACL2) and ASEAN Club Championship commitments, the Stags dominated possession but struggled to assert themselves early on, with a few refereeing calls going in their favour.
“We didn’t manage the game well, especially in the first half. With the ball, we allowed too many transitions, and without the ball, we gave them too much space, allowing them to exploit our backline,” Tampines head coach Noh Rahman reflected.
“Tonight, it’s two points dropped for us. We made it difficult for ourselves. But looking forward, we will do better.”
In the sixth minute, some neat interplay between Joel Chew, making his first league start, and Japanese striker Hide Higashikawa helped the latter open his league account, but the linesman’s flag went up for offside.
After a lengthy VAR review, the on-field decision was overturned and the goal awarded to the hosts, with officials determining that the last touch before Higashikawa’s strike was a deliberate play by a Balestier defender, much to the visitors’ frustration.
Just before the half-hour mark, Croatian winger Jakov Katusa, who had been threatening to cause trouble down the wings with his pacey and powerful runs, opted to lay it off to an on-running Masahiro Sugita just outside the box.
The unmarked Japanese midfielder spun a curling effort past a stranded Syazwan Buhari from range, leaving the Tampines keeper rooted as the ball dipped into the bottom corner.
Just minutes later, the Tigers would feel hard done by once more when a penalty decision was overturned following a pitchside review, with left-back Harith Kanadi, who was first deemed to have been fouled, instead booked for simulation.
Play resumed with the introduction of winger Glenn Kweh for attacking midfielder Koya Kazama, and the switch proved to be prescient as the Singapore international poked home with only his second touch after coming on.
Shah Shahiran looked to have got his side’s third only for it to be chalked off after yet another pitchside review, where Higashikawa was deemed to have handled the ball in the earlier passage of play, a call that perhaps assuaged the earlier protestations of the Balestier faithful.
Late Drama
Balestier Captain Madhu Mohana dragged his side back into contention 20 minutes before time with a cushioned side-foot finish into the far post after Katusa spotted his run down the right.
Kweh would have other ideas as he darted behind Balestier fullback Darren Teh and connected well with a deep cross from Shah from the right to notch his third goal of the season and put his side back in front.
But his brace was not enough to earn a vital three points in Tampines’ title bid as a disconsolate Kweh said, “It’s on us for not winning the game when we could.”
“We have to capitalise on his chances, if not, it will come back to bite us,” he said. “I am a bit disappointed not to score another goal at the end.”
But the Stags won’t have time to dwell on the disappointing draw as they face Korean giants Pohang Steelers in their ACL2 pool match at the Bishan Stadium on Thursday (Oct 23), while the Tigers face Tanjong Pagar United the day after.
Earlier in the week, Albirex beat Hougang United 4-0 through Shingo Nakano and Nicky Melvin Singh doubles, while Sailors dispatched Young Lions 5-1. Geylang International also orchestrated a late 2-1 win over Tanjong Pagar United, courtesy of Ryoya Taniguchi’s second goal of the season.
