S League

Tips: Away to win , +0.5


On the back of a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over fellow title hopefuls Tampines Rovers, Woodlands Wellington will look to continue their winning ways against Balestier Khalsa on Thursday.

The new SingTel League Cup champions will also be hoping to preserve coach Jorg Steinebrunner's unblemished away record in the S.League.

Since taking over in June last year, the German remains unbeaten in seven league outings away from home, although Woodlands did lose a tumultous Singapore Cup semi-final 7-2 at Tampines.

The Woodlands coach will go into the game without captain Ahmad Latiff, following the skipper’s sending off against Tampines. But Steinebrunner remains confident of his team’s chances after an impressive start to 2007.

“Since he’s joined us, Latiff has had a big impact. But we have played without him in the (League) cup before," said Steinbrunner.

"Other players have stepped in and I always emphasise that we are a team of 19, not just 11.

“We are always confident. That is part and parcel of playing football. You have to be confident.

"But we also respect our opponents, regardless of who we play. Balestier is a good team and we will need to focus and concentrate,” he added.

His confidence will be boosted by a strong foreign quartet that has already impressed. Led by the 2006 top goalscorer and Player of the Year Laakkad Abdelhadi, it is not difficult to see why.

The 29-year-old Moroccan has picked up where he left off last year, and together with his strike partner this year, Park Tae Won, have already both gotten off the mark this season.

There will also be extra incentive for Japanese midfielder Akihiro Nakamura to perform, as he makes an early return against the club he turned out for last season.

Meanwhile, for opposing coach Abdul Karim Razzak, the injury situation has improved slightly with two of his defenders, Abdul Rahman Hassan and Juraimie Dawood back from injury.

“We now have more choices in the defensive department and that will certainly help," he said.

"Juraimie is strong in the air and adds a physical presence while Abdul Rahman’s experience will definitely help the team.

"Playing at home, we have always performed quite well and will be looking forward to doing so again,” added the Balestier honcho.

The Tigers' solid home record against Steinbrunner and his Midas touch on his travels then - and something has to give.