Preview: Balestier vs Gombak United

Tigers chief Nasaruddin eyes Gombak's recipe for success Mohd. Sham info@sleague.com Balestier Khalsa coach Nasaruddin Jalil has set his sights on emulating the rise of Gombak United, whom his side face at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday. The two teams may be at opposite ends of the table but Nasaruddin has ambitions of hitting the upper reaches of the S.League table, by replicating one aspect of the Gombak recipe for success. Nasaruddin explained: “Gombak have been playing with a settled team for the past two to three years and I think they have shown that a consistent side can perform well and they are proving just that. “This is my second year with Balestier and we have strengthened the club with locals and some foreigners. We believe in developing a core group of players and our performances this season have been better. “If I’m given time with this group of players over the next two to three or even four years, I firmly believe I can do the same as what Gombak are currently doing,” he added. The Tigers chief is satisfied with the displays his young team have offered so far this campaign, but admitted to being concerned about his side’s leaky defence. “It has been challenging for us and it has been a very good experience for my young players but my main concern is how we have conceded our goals,” he said. “I’m quite pleased with our performances but it has not shown in our results and the inability to defend a lead such as the goals we conceded against Sengkang is something we are working hard on. “So far, we haven’t been able to play all our foreigners together so perhaps that’s another reason why we can’t compete at our best.” Nasaruddin is expecting a typical Gombak display packed with power and pace. “Gombak are a very good team, otherwise they would not be where they are now,” he said. “They have very strong and physical players such as Gabriel Obatola and he’s done some damage to other top teams. “Both teams are very competitive and we must play to out strengths and focus on our game and we must take any chances that come to us during the match.” Gombak gaffer Darren Stewart meanwhile is untroubled by a winless last two games – a loss to Brunei DPMM and a draw with Tampines Rovers - after the Bulls’ meteoric rise to the top of the table earlier in the season. “Not one bit (worried at all), we played SAFFC, DPMM and then Tampines and I don’t think they get much tougher than that,” he remarked. “We didn’t go great against Tampines but the wheels definitely haven’t gone off in motion.” The former Balestier defender believes that the clash against his former club will reflect the similar footballing philosophies of both teams. “We approach it the same way as they do and we’re also known for our grafting and hard work and our results so far this season has been built exactly on that so we will play against Balestier’s same graft.” The Australian conceded that teams may now have an extra spring in their step whenever they face his charges but maintained that their stance against each opponent remain the same. “I don’t get worried about other teams but maybe after the SAFFC game, teams have been looking at us a bit differently and if they play with extra determination and work extra hard against us, I guess it’s a compliment for us. “But we’re under no illusions as to how hard Friday’s game would be and Balestier have taken points off Super Reds, Tampines and Geylang so they are the top of my priority now.” Stewart added his side’s physical approach is perhaps the worst kept secret in the league. “We play to our strengths and everyone knows we play direct football and this is no hidden secret about that,” he said. “If it ain’t broke, you don’t fix it so at the moment we ain’t fixing it!” he quipped. The Bulls will still be without long term casualty Theerawesin Seehawong while the Tigers could miss the services of Jufri Taha and Julio Eduardo.