Kodai Tanaka’s late spot kick rescues point for Balestier in 2-2 draw with Tampines

SINGAPORE – Balestier Khalsa striker Kodai Tanaka may have missed a penalty in their last Singapore Premier League (SPL) home game, but when they were awarded another one in the dying minutes of their Aug 11 encounter against BG Tampines Rovers, coach Peter de Roo told him to take it.

And the 24-year-old repaid his coach’s faith by coolly dispatching his effort past Syazwan Buhari eight minutes into stoppage time at the Bishan Stadium, to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw with the league-leading Stags.

Tanaka had sent his penalty over the bar from the same sandy spot against Tanjong Pagar United on July 24, and admitted he was nervous this time around. But he did not let the pressure get to him and made this one count.

The result meant the impressive Tigers restricted Tampines to just a two-point lead over second-placed Lion City Sailors (28 points), who can reclaim top spot if they win their game in hand.

De Roo said: “It’s a funny one because obviously I was thinking, he missed here from this penalty spot and this time, I saw him looking at it when he put the ball down. But look, he’s our No. 9, if he’s confident then I’m confident in him.”

Tanaka added: “Actually I was nervous, but I believed in myself and only thought about scoring.”

The goal took his tally to 15 this campaign, behind only Geylang International’s Tomoyuki Doi, who has 18.

The Stags drew first blood 12 minutes in when Seia Kunori was afforded space outside the box and curled his shot into the top corner.

Balestier equalised just before half-time, with Ismail Sassi expertly directing his header from Ignatius Ang’s cross past Syazwan.

Tampines regained the lead in the 79th minute. Faris Ramli took a touch past Sassi and delivered the ball to the far post, where half-time substitute Taufik Suparno headed home.

In stoppage time, Amirul Adli then clattered into Tanaka, who duly scored from the spot.

De Roo credited their defensive display despite conceding twice. He said: “Apart from the first goal, we actually had things under control so I was quite happy.

“Defending is not only skill, but 80 to 90 per cent concentration, and being sharp at the right moments.

“As far as I’m concerned, this is the benchmark and defensively, it’s a very good game for us.

“All in all, I’m happy with the performance and this is something we can build on.”

Tampines coach Gavin Lee explained that his side have been plagued by injuries, with defender Shuya Yamashita staying on the bench as a precaution, while Glenn Kweh and Kyoga Nakamura were taken off at half-time and in the second half respectively.

Lee said: “When it rains, it pours with the number of injuries we had, but we still had a squad that could have gotten a win.

“Massive credit goes to Balestier, they were very good today and caught us on one of our worst days.

“But also credit to us, on a very bad day I thought we managed to dig deep and find that second goal, and protect the box with our lives though we came up short unfortunately.”

In Aug 11’s other clash, Hougang United thrashed Tanjong Pagar 5-1 to record their second straight win, with Dejan Racic scoring a hat-trick and Stjepan Plazonja netting twice. Salif Cisse scored for the Jaguars.

Analysis

Balestier were aggressive in their press and stayed compact, preventing Tampines from playing through their midfield and backline.

The Tigers also did well to keep possession and force the Stags into an uncharacteristic display which was further hampered by injuries to key players.