Balestier lose their heads and match
GREAT EASTERN- YEO'S S.LEAGUE
WARRIORS FC 4
(Fazrul Nawaz 16, 58, Miroslav Pejic 19, Hafiz Rahim 85)
BALESTIER KHALSA 2
(Miroslav Kristic 90+1, 90+3)
Balestier Khalsa have beaten league leaders Brunei DPMM twice this season to emerge as genuine contenders for the Great Eastern-Yeo's S.League title.
But, in two mad minutes at Jalan Besar Stadium last night, the Tigers' title ambitions were dealt a huge blow.
Marko Kraljevic's side saw two players sent off in as many minutes, as they crashed 4-2 to defending champions Warriors FC.
Yusiskandar Yusop first saw red for a studs-up challenge on Miroslav Pejic in the 55th minute, before Poh Yi Feng joined him just two minutes later for what referee Muhd Syahir judged as an elbow on Karlo Ivancic.
Kraljevic said his players got carried away while trying to rally from two goals down and paid the price.
"In the second half, we got too emotional," said the coach.
"When you do that, the game is over... You start rushing into decisions and, if you cross the line, you let the team down.
"But we will learn from this game, move on to the next one and try to do better."
The gap between Balestier and DPMM is now seven points, but Kraljevic refused to wave the white flag in the title race.
NEVER GIVE UP
"As long as we have a chance, we will never give up," said the Croat.
Warriors coach Alex Weaver was disappointed with the two late goals they conceded, but was pleased with the overall performance.
They are now only three points behind DPMM, albeit having played a game more.
"Of course, the two red cards killed the match off as a contest, but the two goals we scored in the first half were really clinical," said Weaver.
"I'm happy the players reaped their rewards for their hard work."
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