By K. RAJAN

PETALING JAYA: Harimau Muda coach Ong Kim Swee was left to rue his sides lack of clinical finish which saw them lose 2-0 to Balestier Khalsa in the Singapore League on Friday. 

Balestier’s early goal from Hamqaamal Shah two minutes after the kick-off and the second from Ruhaizad Ismail in the 58th handed the Harimau Muda their second defeat of the season. 

Harimau Muda strikers A. Thamil Arasu and Ahmad Hazwan Bakri was a let down in the match as they failed to breach Balestier’s defence marshalled by skipper Paul Cunningham. 

Kim Swee who had previously credited Balestier’s discipline as one of their strengths said he had expected a tough match. 

“We knew that Balestier are disciplined and will pack their defence with eight or nine players,” said Kim Swee. 

“We lost due to two silly mistakes and those were the only chances Balestier got in the match. We created more chance but failed to convert it and it cost us. 

“We have to learn, whether we win or lose, we have to improve, against Balestier, we faltered badly in the attacking third.” 

The defeat leaves Kim Swee’s team in fifth spot with 17 points after nine matches and they will next take on seventh placed Hougang United next at the Yishun Stadium on April 27.

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