The Korean star, Park Kang Jin went ahead as a substitute after a long-standing spell out with injury, yet the Tigers paid for squandering their chances as the Cheetahs returned away with three points.

Balestier Khalsa respected the reappearance of star man Park Kang Jin on Friday night, however he was unsuccessful to bring the team into victory as they went down 2-1 to Hougang United at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

The Korean playmaker has finished the full 90 minutes of the game, his third appearance on the campaign after missing most of his team’s game this season due to injury. The extensive nonattendance corresponded with six-game winless streak that ended after they won against Harimau Muda last Wednesday.

Balestier tried to expand on that by bringing on Park halfway at the second half at 1-1 and he almost made a goal within five minutes, jabbing a shot distressingly wide of the far post.

While the Cheetahs ended the game triumphantly, the substitute did make instantaneous improvement to Balestier's offensive play in spite of clearly not being match-fit.

After the match, coach Marko Kraljevic revealed that the 25-year-old had only prepared for one week, expressing that he required more time to recapture his structure. The German-Croat then emphasized Park's imperativeness, as he has done so frequently before, comparing him to an alternate Premier League star in the wake of contrasting him with Liverpool's, Coutinho a week ago.

"Arsenal, they didn't win the championship because of Ozil [although] they have many other world-class players," he called attention to, alluding to the German star's injury issues throughout the Gunners' title run-in.

Balestier will unquestionably trust for Park to be once more taking care of business soon as they are situated to lose an alternate star in skipper Paul Cunningham.

Actually, the Tigers made enough opportunities to win even without Park. Kim Min-ho struck the bar when the game was still goal-less, while Goran Ljubojevic was denied by Fadhil Salim's outstanding block while waltzing through Hougang’s defence earlier in the second half.

Geison Moura made them pay on the 60th minute mark, sidefooting home a fine first-time finish off of Fairoz Hasan's low cross.

That ended up being the decider after Ljubojevic's penalty had cancelled out Diego Gama's corner, which had twisted straight into goal for the opener.

Ruhaizad Ismail's fabulous dipping strike went barely over the bar late on as Hougang hold on for a clinical win, notwithstanding Balestier having the better of the second half. It was a triumph that satisfied Amin Nasir, who saw his team tumble to a surprising loss against the Courts Young Lions a week ago.

"Its very crucial for us to win tonight, the boys needed to bounce back and today's game was very important for their morale," Amin said. "I am glad they responded tonight."

The former Singapore international likewise communicated his fulfilment at his team's performances after the first round of matches, expressing that they were "comfortable" with wearing the underdogs label and would continue giving their best.

He stated, "It won't be right for me to say we’re going for a top-three finish; we managed to be at the sixth position [currently] and we will try to maintain it."

Kraljevic was left to regret one laps in fixation for yet an alternate thrashing in a baffling campaign so far, however trusts his side can improve in the remaining matches.

"Of course it’s disappointing," Kraljevic admitted. "It’s just some individual mistake and then we conceded a goal. You miss [chances], then you concede, this is football.”

"I think we can do better, I really do."

Since the time of assuming control over the reigns from V.kanan, Jorg Steinebrunner has stunningly lifted Geylang International as far as both execution and results as his side went on a seven-game unbeaten streak.

In any case, the Eagles' late 4-2 defeat by Albirex Niigata (S) has put a stop to that as Steinebrunner endured his first annihilation as Geylang coach.

However, that lost did not appear to bother the German gaffer as he pondered over what he thought was a great execution from his squad.

Steinebrunner said, “The lost would have still come one day, and that day is today.”

“I rather we concede four goals in one game than lose 1-0 for four games.”

“We were unfortunate to go down 1-0 because we gave the ball away cheaply but we went on to apply pressure and came back, thanks to Fabian who would have scored the goal of the year.”

The previous S. League guard was frustrated his group neglected to clutch their lead, and rather yielded to the Japanese side in a baffling way.

“The lead we had was deserved but the second goal we conceded could have been avoided because no one picked out the centre-back who made a long run to equalise.”
“What disappoints me is the fact that we had a helping hand in those four goals we conceded.”

“Defending is not just done by two or three players, it is done by the whole team. Earlier, we were not ruthless in defending,” Steinebrunner added.

Albirex coach Tatsuyuki Okuyama was justifiably content with his group's execution, as they picked up their second win in three matches.

Tatsuyuki said, “I am very satisfied with the result. Few of my players did not play well in the first half, that’s why we lost the ball unnecessarily.”

“I told them at half-time to improve and our midfield got better in the second half.”

Tremendously fulfilled by what he saw, the coach said that this match was a genuine impression of his side's capacity.

“The whole game showed our style and how we desire to play, so there is nothing else I could ask for.”

The leader of the Super League Pahang's perfect home record will be put under a magnifying glass in a top-of-the-table crash against title contenders Selangor at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan on Saturday.

The Elephants have a supreme reputation at home with seven straight wins and scoring a monstrous 19 goals.

Pahang coach, Zainal Abidin Hassan strongly believes that they are on course to secure the crown in the event that they can keep up their winning streak at home and gather full points in the other two matches against Johor Darul Ta'zim (away, May 16) and Terengganu (home, May 24).

Zainal said on Thursday, “This is a crucial month for Pahang. I think the next three matches will determine the league champions. Right now, it is still tight at the top with three other teams within striking distance of the title.”

Pahang leads the 12-team standing with 28 points and is in front of Selangor with a finer goal difference. Meanwhile, JDT and Terengganu are close behind with 25 and 24 points individually.

Zainal said their quick undertaking is to beat Selangor to whom they lost 0-1 in the first round at the Shah Alam Stadium.

Zainal stated, “The home fans have been a real inspiration to the team. If not for their support, we could not have achieved the seven-game winning streak at home.”

Pahang is additionally showing incredible guns in the FA Cup. They will play with JDT in the return leg of the semi-finals in Kuantan on May 31 in the wake of having a draw of 1-1 at their first-leg match at Larkin Stadium a week ago.

“We have the advantage but we will focus on the league now. All the players are in the right frame of mind and I am sure they will not let the fans down,” added Zainal.

Pahang have an established side and just made minute progressions to the squad who won the Malaysia Cup last season. The eminent change is the inclusion of Nigerian striker, Dickson Nwakaeme who was previously featured for Kelantan.

Pahang have held Argentinian striker Matias Conti and Jamaican defender Damion Stewart. Also, the club’s latest signing is Pakistani, Zesh Rahman.

IPD Mukah beat CIM FC in the last of Sarikei District Police Chief (KPD) 9-aside football rivalry played at the District Police field last Sunday.

It was a fruitful title defence by IPD Mukah which they won in a final against the same team last season.

The champions went home with RM 1,000 while the runners-up accepted RM 700.

On the third and fourth place were teams IPG Rajang and MJSB respectively, which bagged home RM 500 and RM 300 separately.

The competition was an annual event in conjunction with the 207th Police Day celebration, which recorded a total of 30 teams participating in the said event.

Other teams who joined this year were AZ United, IPD Sarikei An, IPD Sarikei B, JSJN IPD Sarikei, GPCK, Ozzoom United, Evo-y, MBLAQ United, SMW FC, Santana FC, SESCO, IPD Sibu, AFRIMA, Farid Enterprise, JKR, IPD Julau, IPD Meradong, Medical Sarikei, BPL 2.0, IPD Saratok, CPS CK Team, Kesuda, KRT Cempaka, KG FC, Fansuri and JKRT Jambu Timur.

Deputy District Police chief DSP Dominic Josip together with District Police chief Supt. Poniman Margiman officiated the closing remarks of the three-day tournament and presented the prizes.

Also present in the occasion were Also present were Sarikei CID chief ASP Abdul Samat Amit and heads of various sections.

Presently in the second level of Malaysian football, the second string side for the rich Johor club are continuously prepared for entry into Singapore football.

Johor Football Association (JFA) president, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has affirmed huge plans that are in the works for both Johor groups, Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) and Johor Darul Takzim II (JDT II).

In a press conference on Tuesday, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim or better known as TMJ, has communicated his longing to withdraw JDT II from the Malaysian Premier League to compete in the S. League next season.

“We are considering placing the team in the Singapore football league by November as it is better and will give the younger players more exposure,” TMJ told the reporters.

Tunku Ismail added that he was eager to pay RM 300,000 (USD 92,400) in fines to the Football Association of Malaysia for the planned withdrawal.

As indicated by the terms of the Memorandom of Understanding (MOU) signed by the Football Associations of Singapore and Malaysia in 2011, every country could give an Under-23 side to contend in the other's domestic competition. Singapore’s LionsXII side features players over the age of 23 while the current Malaysian entrants in the S. League, Harimau Muda B, is an Under-21 side who is on a troubling 10-game losing streak.

Currently, there are three foreign teams taking an interest in the S. League, with Brunei DPMM and Albirex Niigata being long haul members.

JDT II are mulling in mid-table in Malaysia's second tier, which is of very distant pace from an automatic promotion spot to the Super League.

The aggressive Johor Crown Prince, additionally plot a few different advancements, including the building of another 50,000 capacity stadium on a man-made island between Johor and Singapore, with the land reclamation process already started.

He likewise included that the state's ruler, Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has consented to buy a private jet plane to be utilized to transport the squad for match days.

Sarawak's Under-17 and Under-14 football teams enlisted a draw and a loss at home to rivals from Perlis in the Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia (KPM) football league competition played at SMK Tabuan Jaya last Saturday.

In the first match, the Under-14 group lost with 2-3. While in the second match, the two Under-17 teams both finished in a 1-1 draw match.

Sarawak’s team coach, Resa Billie was persuaded that his players have given their best.

“I have no qualms regarding their performances today. We just want to focus on the next match,” said Resa billie.

The Sarawak Under-17 team are doing well on the league table being on the second place out of 10 teams.

While, the Under-14 team is presently at the sixth place out of 10 teams.

Resa said he stays cheerful for the younger players as the points crevice between all teams is close.

Resa included in his statement that, “We have a realistic chance for a top half finish.”

The team will face Pahang next week in an away game.

Johor FA president Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim accepts that masked hands inside the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) might keep him from turning into their leader.

Tunku Ismail is testing incumbent Sultan Ahmad Shah and Tengku Abdullah for the post at the FAM Congress on May 25.

Tunku Ismail, who is additionally the Johor Crown Prince, said it was an open mystery that Sultan Ahmad wanted his son Tengku Abdullah to succeed him.
He conceded his experience is not enough and it posts as a drawback, however it should not set him apart from the two hopefuls.

“I am aggressive as I want to see football grow in the country. Look at what I have done within two years as Johor FA president and see what had the FAM done in the last 30 years,” the Crown Prince said.

After introducing the two new foreign players of Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), Ismail said, “There are several quarters within the FAM that do not want changes. If I become the next president, then these people will be thrown out from the association.”

The two new foreign players of JDT were Brazilian defender Marcos Santos and Argentinean striker Jorge Diaz. This was announced at the Larkin Stadium on Sunday.

At the point when inquired as to whether he might haul out from the race or go to the FAM Congress, Tunku Ismail answered he would wait and see.

He, then again, included that the development of football in the nation has stagnated and trusted that whoever turns as the next FAM president might have the will to transform it.

“Football facilities throughout the country are worse off now. While the state FAs are responsible for it, the FAM should oversee it.”

“The standard of refereeing in Malaysian football has also not improved. I love the sport and I want to see it progress in our country and the FAM should listen to the voice of the rakyat,” Tunku Ismail concluded.