Super Reds beat Balestier Khalsa to go second in S.League but title destiny out of their hands

By Les Tan and volunteer Claira Ng. Pictures by Lai Jun Wei.

Toa Payoh Stadium, Tuesday, November 11, 2008 – Super Reds beat Balestier Khalsa 1-0 tonight to go second in the S.League table. However, they still need results in other matches to go their way if they are to win their first ever S.League title.

It was a cagey first 20 minutes with the Korean Super Reds having the majority of possession but to no telling effect. Balestier Khalsa had trouble even penetrating the Super Reds penalty box.

Things perked up in the 20th minute with a dangerous cross from Choi Wan Geon of the Super Reds but it just missed by his captain Park Ki Wook.

From then on, both teams traded attacks as the pace picked up, with the Super Reds playing their trademark neat short passes, never hoofing indiscriminately.

Despite the brighter play in the last 20 minutes of the first half, there were no goals with both teams creating decent chances.

The second half finally saw the first goal for the Super Reds through Choi Dong Soo but that was all they had to show for.

Anantha Rajan of Balestier Khalsa had a chance to equalise for his team in the 57th minute but he missed with the goal at his mercy after Reds keeper had spilled a stinger of a shot from Kaze Teffo Giscard.

It was overall a scrappy game but the Super Reds got their three points to go second in the table. However the destiny of the championship title is out of their hands and they will now have to wait to see the results of the game this Friday between Home United and SAFFC.

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2nd half

69min: Choi Dong Soo finally scores the first goal for Super Reds. About time.

64min: Super Reds stretch the Balestier defence apart but the final ball by Sin Hyun Ho fails to find the target.

62min: Daniel Ong of Balestier spills the ball after a high ball is lobbed in. The ball spills to a Super Reds player but his tame rolled shot is cleared off the line.

57min: Anantha Rajan of Balestier Khalsa misses an open goal after Reds keeper spilled a Giscard stinger of a shot.

56min: Park Ki Wook with an open head. He heads the ball downwards, it bounces, Daniel Ong saves! Jeon Byung Euk follows up with a shot from the resulting corner, but Ong saves again at the near post.

52min: A well-worked free kick by the Super Reds from a dangerous position outside the Balestier Khalsa penalty box sees Jeon Byung Euk chip it to Park Ki Wook who lobs it over to Choi Dong Soo. Choi’s first time volley is not accurate and goes wide. Nice set play though.

47min: Faizal Amir finds Saruta with a nice diagonal pass. Saruta tries a cut back but Joo Ki Hwan reads the move perfectly and takes the ball away.

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1st half
45min: Faizal Amir hits a volley just at the edge of the penalty box but it’s too direct. Kang Su Ho gathers comfortably in the Super Reds goal.

41min: Jeon Byung Euk blows a direct free kick over.

36min: Sustained Balestier attacks inside the Super Reds penalty box threatens but final attempts snuffed out.

35min: Choi Wan Geon crosses to Park Kang Jin who gets down low to head it goalward. Not enough power. Daniel Ong gathers.

32min: Kim Jae Hong corner kick hits the bar and is put out for another corner.

30min: Kaze Teffo Giscard of Balestier free kick in but Onyekachi heads wide.

27min: Hironori Saruta cuts into the box but can’t get his cross across.

24min: Park Ki Wook hard low cross went across the face of the goal. Choi Dong Soo failed to connect.

22min: Mba Vitus Onyekachi of Balestier brought down edge of the box. Dangerous direct free kick. But hits it wide.

20min: Choi Wan Geon crossed to Park Ki Wook. Park just missed connecting
with the cross.