S.League: New signing Tokic provides Balestier tonic in Home upset
Niko Tokic (9) has hit the ground running in Singapore with new club Balestier Khalsa. (Photo: S.League)
A goal on his debut and two assists in his second game. The days are still very early, but Niko Tokic could just be the man to revive Balestier Khalsa’s fortunes this season.
The 28-year-old striker scored against Hougang United in a 2-2 draw last Friday (10 June) and he did not have to wait long to taste his maiden S.League victory.
On Tuesday night at Bishan Stadium, the Croatian set up two goals as Balestier defied the odds to defeat Home United 3-1 and pick up only their second victory of the campaign.
Balestier head coach Marko Kraljevic believes his side can finally start playing to their strengths again with Tokic, who was brought in as a replacement for Robert Pericic. The latter formed an effective partnership with Miroslav Kristic last season, but was troubled by injury and eventually released without playing any part this year.
“When we were missing one striker (Pericic), it was very tough,” Kraljevic said. “We tried changing our style, like playing a 4-2-3-1, but I think a 4-4-2 with two top strikers (is the best) and we are very comfortable with this system [now].
“You can see from the last game that we are getting better and better with striker (Tokic), who is able to hold the ball (upfront) for us.”
The 1.86m tall Tokic has added a different dimension to the Tigers’ attack with his intelligent play, composure and assured touch, all of which came to the fore in the game against the Protectors.
Tokic: I can do more
His first vital contribution was exploiting space in the box to latch on to a quick throw in the 45th minute, before turning to calmly cross for Zulkiffli Hassim to slot home from close range.
With the score at 2-1, Tokic then played in Fadhil Noh on the 68th minute with a clever pass, but the latter saw his effort well saved by Zulfairuuz Rudy before blasting the rebound over.
But Jamil Ali was more ruthless when Tokic landed a perfectly-flighted cross on his head in the 75th minute. The substitute, praised afterward by Kraljevic for his impact, guided home the killer goal with his first touch less than 60 seconds after coming on.
Balestier’s new number nine declared himself happy with the victory and vowed to keep on improving his game.
“This (winning) is most important,” he told Yahoo Singapore. “Maybe next game I can assist and score [more]. I will push hard and give 100 per cent for the team… I hope it (my future performances) will be better.”
Home will also be looking to improve drastically before they take on leaders Albirex Niigata (S) on Saturday, having seen a seven-game unbeaten run come to a halt.
Saturday’s draw with the Garena Young Lions mean Home have now picked up only one point against the league’s bottom two sides and are 10 points off the top.
Without injured star striker Ken Ilsø, who netted in each of those games, they were largely toothless up front, save for two moments when they threatened through Faris Ramli.
It was the Singapore winger who coolly slotted the equaliser 53 minutes on, having been picked out by a clockwise-precise pass from Ambroise Begue that Spain maestro Andres Iniesta would have approved of.
Ambroise Begue came up with a sublime defence-splitting pass to set up Home United's only goal. (Photo: S.League)
Home not good enough again
Faris was then denied a second leveller in the 71st minute by Zaiful Nizam’s superb save. The miss preserved the advantage that substitute Sadin Smajovic had restored for Balestier four minutes earlier with a 20-yard effort.
The defeat could have been heavier as Balestier had spurned a couple of other chances. Protectors assistant coach Robin Chitrakar was blunt in his assessment.
“We were not good enough, we conceded very soft goals and we definitely can do much better than this,” said the 39-year-old, standing in for Philippe Aw, who was away for personal reasons.
“Of course we missed Ken but the team knows what to do and how to deal without him, so ultimately it was still a poor team performance.”
Kraljevic was understandably delighted with the efforts of his team, which left him in an optimistic mood ahead of Friday’s clash with giants Tampines Rovers, which thrashed the Young Lions 6-1 on the same night.
“As long we play well, work hard and hopefully stay free of injury, then I think we can do a good job,” he said.
