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Balestier Khalsa FC

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Balestier Khalsa
Full nameBalestier Khalsa Football Club
Nickname(s)Hala Tigers
Founded1898; 126 years ago (1898) as Fathul Karib

1975; 49 years ago (1975) as Balestier United Recreation Club

1996; 28 years ago (1996) as Balestier Central

2002; 22 years ago (2002) as Balestier Khalsa
GroundBishan Stadium
Capacity3,800
ChairmanS. Thavaneson
ManagerPeter de Roo
LeagueSingapore Premier League
2023Singapore Premier League, 4th of 9
Current season

Balestier Khalsa Football Club is a Singaporean professional football club based in Toa Payoh, Singapore, that competes in the Singapore Premier League. Founded in 1898, the club is considered as the oldest football club in the country. The club have won the Singapore Cup, Singapore League Cup and the Singapore FA Cup once.

Balestier Khalsa is the fourth oldest club in the Asia continent and is the oldest club in the Southeast Asia region.

History

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Founding and early years (1898–1997)

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Tracing their origins all the way back to 1898, the club was formed as Fathul Karib on 10 October 1898 and based in Farrer Park. One of the highlights over the following half century, before the side was renamed Balestier United Recreation Club in the 1975 as it was the outcome of re-organising the local football clubs structure by the Football Association of Singapore. During the time, Balestier United Recreation Club was providing nine players to the Singapore national team which competed in the 1958 Asian Games in Japan, losing 2–1 to both continental heavyweights South Korea and Israel.[1]

When Balestier United Recreation Club first joined the inaugural National Football League, the team captured the Singapore Cup in 1958 and 1992. The club played in the Singapore Premier League (the forerunner to the S.League) from 1988 to 1995. The club became the first club in Singapore to bring in foreign players when they signed two Yugoslavian players, Joško Španjić and Boris Lucic, for the 1989 season. Balestier United are currently still active in local football, competing in the National Football League Division 1. Former Balestier Khalsa players such, Ruhaizad Ismail, Daniel Ong and Syafiq Zainal all played for the team as well.

S.League era as Balestier Central (1996–2002)

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With the introduction of the S.League in 1996 and entities reintroduced as a professional football teams, Balestier United Recreational Club became a founder member of the S.League and competed under a new flagship name to Balestier Central.

Creating the foundation (2003–2012)

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Merger with Clementi Khalsa and renamed as Balestier Khalsa

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In 2002, Balestier Central took another turn as they merged with Clementi Khalsa at the end of the 2002 S.League season. Clementi Khalsa was formed as a club to represent Singapore's Sikh community and joined the S.League in 1999. Prior to the merger with Balestier Central, the club was based in the Clementi area of Singapore and played its home games at the Clementi Stadium.

Clementi Khalsa crest

On 10 August 2012, Balestier Khalsa won the first Singapore League Cup Plate Final as the team defeated Young Lions at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

Achieving more silverware and AFC Cup debut (2013–2017)

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In 2013, head coach Darren Stewart signed Nigerian Obadin Aikhena, South Korean Jung Hee-bong and several players from his former team, Gombak United and formed a strong foundation of the team, including foreign players Kim Min-ho and Park Kang-jin, together with Singapore national team player Qiu Li and proved to be a success. On 14 September 2013, The Tigers went one level higher by scoring a huge 4–0 win over DPMM in the 2013 Singapore League Cup Final and clinched their first ever silverware. Captain, Paul Cunningham and the team lift the trophy as well as clinching 3rd place in the 2013 Singapore Cup.

Marko Kraljević guided the club to their first ever AFC Cup debut in 2015 and is the club longest serving manager from 2014 until 2021.

Balestier Khalsa signed former U-21 Croatian international Goran Ljubojević on 11 February 2014 as their first ever marquee signing.[2] As well as Emir Lotinac of Serbia from Novi Pazar. The Tigers won their first ever Singapore Cup on 7 November 2014, beating Home United 3–1 with Goran, Kim and Park scoring the goals.[3] Thus, qualifying for the 2015 AFC Cup in the following year.

AFC Cup debut

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The Tigers make their 2015 AFC Cup group stage debut on 24 February 2015, losing 0–3 to Hong Kong Premier League champions, Kitchee at the Mong Kok Stadium. On 10 March 2015, they almost held eventual Malaysia Super League champions, Johor Darul Ta'zim to goalless draw but the visitor scored in the 90+3 stoppage time. Balestier Khalsa finally got their historical first win in the following week, Jonathan Xu scoring his and Tiger's maiden AFC Cup goal and Miroslav Krištić's goal beating East Bengal from India 2–1. Balestier Khalsa went on to finished at the bottom of the table with 3 points.

Balestier Khalsa went on to finish as runner-ups in the 2015 Singapore Charity Shield to Warriors. On 10 July 2015, Balestier Khalsa lost narrowly 2–1 against Albirex Niigata (S) to finish runner up in the 2015 Singapore League Cup.

For the 2016 season, Balestier Khalsa qualified for 2016 AFC Cup as Singapore's 2nd best local team and got their first away goals/points in the AFC Cup, as they held Maldives Dhivehi Premier League champions, New Radiant 2–2 at Malé. They continue to improved their run in the competition winning against Kitchee & New Radiant 1–0 and 3–0 at home however that wasn't enough for them to secured to the knockout stage as they finished in 3rd place with 7 points, 3 points away from 2nd place, Kaya FC. Balestier Khalsa finished 4th in the Singapore Cup after losing to Ceres-La Salle in the third place playoff.

Tight budget

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In 2017, due to tight budget, Balestier Khalsa signed 3 Myanmar national football team players, Aung Kyaw Naing, Kyaw Zayar Win, Nanda Lin Kyaw Chit from Nay Pyi Taw, Ayeyawady United and Yadanabon respectively.

Singapore Premier League era (2018–present)

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In 2018, Balestier Khalsa went on to sign 4 foreigners with Vedran Mesec, Keegan Linderboom and Dusan Marinkovic joining the Tigers for the upcoming newly revamp league.

On 22 October 2021, Akbar Nawas was announced as the head coach of Balestier Khalsa, succeeding Marko Kraljevic, who left a week prior. Before this, Akbar leads the 2nd division I-League club, Chennai City to become champions of the league in the 2018–19 I-League with current player, Iqbal Hussain. According to a club statement, Akbar has penned a two-year contract “worth more than S$170,000”. However, less than 1 year into the contract, Akbar would tender his resignation to join Thai League 2 side, Udon Thani, less than a week after a record 6–1 win against Hougang United.

On 27 August 2022, The Tigers recruit former Football Association of Malaysia Technical Director, Peter de Roo as an interim coach till the end of the 2022 season but on 30 November 2022, he was appointed to permanent role as head coach of Balestier Khalsa.

Peter de Roo started off the 2023 season making slight changes to his squad signing Alen Kozar from NŠ Mura and Masahiro Sugita from Albirex Niigata Singapore. Under his reign, Balestier Khalsa went on to win 3 consecutive matches against Tanjong Pagar United, Tampines Rovers and Brunei DPMM before losing to Albirex Niigata (S) 6–2. The Tigers also went on to have another fine run of form winning 4 consecutive match till Hougang United end the streak on 21 July 2023.

In the 2024–25 Singapore Premier League season, The Tigers sign an additional new signing of both Japanese player Kodai Tanaka and Riku Fukashiro, while Tunisian Ismaïl Sassi joined the club from AS Marsa. The club than participated in the 2024 Selangor Asia Challenge pre-season tournament on 26 and 28 April 2024 respectively.

Sponsors

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For much of Balestier Khalsa's history, their kit provider has been with Umbro since their formation with Clementi Khalsa and Balestier Central up until 2017 whereby their main sponsor has been with Civic as well. In 2018, Balestier Khalsa signed a deal with Thailand sportswear, Mawin and than followed up with Italy sportswear brand, Lotto the following year in 2019. In 2020, Balestier Khalsa signed a deal with German sportswear Adidas to manufactured their kits alongside Weston Corp as their kit sponsors up till date.

On 29 March 2018, Balestier Khalsa launched their inaugural 2018 Singapore Premier League football campaign with the signing of a landmark sponsorship deal with sport utility vehicle brand, Jeep. The one-year deal that is worth $100,000 is the clubs biggest sponsorship contract in its history. On 28 February 2019, Balestier Khalsa extends their contract with Jeep for another year. Italian giants, Juventus who were also sponsored by Jeep, make a collaboration during their pre-season visit to Singapore.[4]

Period Kit manufacturer Main sponsors
2002–2017 England Umbro Singapore Civic
2018 Thailand Mawin United States Jeep

Singapore Weston Corp

2019 Italy Lotto
2020–present Germany Adidas

Affiliated clubs

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On 14 June 2024, Balestier Khalsa announced that Indonesian Liga 2 club, Nusantara United as their official partners. [5]

On 28 August 2024, Balestier Khalsa has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with A-League club Western United.[6]

Stadium

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Home of Balestier Khalsa, Toa Payoh Stadium

Balestier Khalsa played their home games at the Toa Payoh Stadium. The stadium can hold up to 3,800 spectators.

For the 2023 Singapore Premier League season, Balestier Khalsa will once again share Bishan Stadium with Lion City Sailors, as Toa Payoh Stadium is undergoing upgrading works. Balestier Khalsa will return to Toa Payoh Stadium upon the completion of the upgrading works.

On 8 October 2023, Toa Payoh Stadium, including will be demolished on 31 October 2023 in order to make way for a new Regional Sport Centre which will likely be opened in 2030.[7]

Players

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As of 10 May 2024[8]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Singapore SGP Mukundan Maran
2 DF Singapore SGP Darren Teh
3 DF Singapore SGP Tajeli Salamat
4 DF Singapore SGP Syabil Hisham U23
5 DF Singapore SGP Emmeric Ong
6 DF Singapore SGP Madhu Mohana
7 FW Tunisia TUN Ismaïl Sassi
8 MF Slovenia SVN Alen Kozar (Captain)
9 FW Japan JPN Riku Fukashiro
10 FW Japan JPN Kodai Tanaka
11 DF Singapore SGP Harith Kanadi
13 DF Singapore SGP Amer Hakeem
No. Pos. Nation Player
14 MF Singapore SGP Elijah Lim
16 GK Singapore SGP Martyn Mun
17 DF Singapore SGP Jordan Emaviwe U23
18 MF Japan JPN Masahiro Sugita
19 FW Singapore SGP Amiruldin Asraf
20 DF Singapore SGP Fudhil I'yadh U23
21 GK Singapore SGP Hafiz Ahmad
22 GK Singapore SGP Wayne Chew
23 FW Singapore SGP Syukri Noorhaizam
25 DF Singapore SGP Irfan Mika'il Abdullah
27 FW Indonesia IDN Reycredo Beremanda (on loan from Nusantara United)
30 MF Singapore SGP Ignatius Ang

Under-21s and Academy

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
60 DF Singapore SGP Merrick Tan Yi Ern U21
62 DF Singapore SGP Muhamad Darren Teo U21
No. Pos. Nation Player
72 GK Singapore SGP Zico U21
78 FW France FRA Alexandre Bertholon U21

Remarks:

On Loan

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
MF Singapore SGP Lewis Lee Chih Yuan
GK Singapore SGP Ryan Praveen

Club officials

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Position Name
Chairman Singapore S. Thavaneson
Vice Chairman Singapore Darwin Jalil
General Manager Singapore Tim Nee Cheng
Head coach Netherlands Peter de Roo
Assistant head coach Singapore Syed Azmir
Goalkeeping coach Singapore Yazid Yasin
Sports Trainer Nurhaizal Sufri
Fitness coach Rory Winters
Analyst Razif Ariff
Physiotherapist Danial Feriza
Kitman Abdul Latiff

Honours

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Type Competition Titles Seasons
Cup Singapore Cup 1 2014
Singapore League Cup 1 2013
Singapore League Cup Plate 1 2012
Singapore FA Cup 1 2012
President's Cup 1 1992
FAS Challenge Cup 1 1958
Others Prime League 2 2012, 2013

Bold is for those competition that are currently active.

Domestic record

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As Balestier Central/ Balestier Khalsa

Season League Pos. P W D L GS GA Pts Singapore Cup League Cup
1996-1 S.League 3rd* 14 7 3 4 22 18 24
1996-2 3rd* 14 7 3 4 25 19 24
1997 4th 16 8 4 4 43 26 28
1998 4th 20 9 4 7 47 43 31 Group stage
1999 7th 22 6 8 8 25 27 26 Semi-final
2000 12th 22 3 5 14 16 42 14 Round of 16
2001 7th 33 8 11 14 43 57 35 Group stage
2002 11th 33 6 5 22 50 103 23 Group stage
2003 11th 33 5 2–6 20 37 76 25 Quarter-final
2004 8th 27 6 19 22 36 73 20 Quarter-final
2005 7th 27 10 6 11 45 52 36 Preliminary Rd
2006 7th 30 10 7 13 50 61 37 Semi-final
2007 9th 33 7 8 18 44 63 29 Quarter-final Quarter-final
2008 12th 33 3 8 22 26 60 17 Round of 16 Third place
2009 11th 30 4 6 20 22 58 18 Round of 16 Group stage
2010 8th 33 10 7 16 26 40 37 Quarter-final Preliminary Rd
2011 10th 33 7 5 21 28 63 26 Round of 16 Preliminary Rd
2012 6th 24 11 6 7 23 20 39 Round of 16 Plate Winners
2013 4th 27 12 7 8 38 28 43 Third place Winners
2014 6th 27 11 7 9 46 34 40 Winners Plate Runners-up
2015 4th 27 12 8 7 39 35 44 Quarter-final Runners-up
2016 8th 24 4 7 13 23 42 19 Semi-final Group stage
2017 7th 24 5 4 15 17 33 19 Preliminary Rd Group stage
2018 Singapore Premier League 6th 24 7 6 11 25 36 27 Third place
2019 9th 24 4 5 15 37 58 17 Group Stage
2020 5th 14 5 4 5 22 28 19
2021 7th 21 5 4 12 31 52 19
2022 7th 28 7 3 18 45 78 24
2023 4th 24 12 0 12 60 71 36

As Clementi Khalsa

Season League Pos. P W D L GS GA Pts Singapore Cup
1999 S.League 11th 22 3 6 13 29 55 15 Round of 16
2000 8th 22 5 10 7 33 46 25
2001 9th 33 7 9 17 43 76 30 Group stage
2002 10th 33 7 4 22 45 84 25
  • The 1996 season of the S.League was split into two series.
  • 2003 saw the introduction of penalty shoot-outs if a match ended in a draw in regular time. Winners of penalty shoot-outs gained two points instead of one.

Continental record

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Season Competition Round Club Home
1992–93 Asian Cup Winners' Cup First round Vietnam Quảng Nam Đà Nẵng Withdrew
2015 AFC Cup Group F Hong Kong Kitchee 1–2
Malaysia Johor Darul Ta'zim 0–1
India East Bengal 2–1
2016 AFC Cup Group F Maldives New Radiant 3–0
Hong Kong Kitchee 1–0
Philippines Kaya FC

Records and statistics

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As of 4 September 2024.

Top 10 all-time appearances

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Rank Player Years Club appearances
1 Singapore Zaiful Nizam 2013–2021 231
2 Singapore Poh Yi Feng 2008–2015 216
3 Singapore Ahmad Syahir 2013–2021 167
4 Singapore Hazzuwan Halim 2014–2021 157
5 Singapore Fadli Kamis 2016–2021 150
6 Singapore Zulkiffli Hassim 2012–2016 140
7 New Zealand Paul Cunningham 2010–2014 130
8 Singapore Nurullah Hussein 2014–2019 107
9 Singapore Ho Wai Loon 2011–2016,

2021–2023

101
10 Singapore Jufri Taha 2006–2009 99

Top 10 all-time scorers

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Rank Player Club appearances Total goals
1 Japan Shuhei Hoshino 92 43
2 Japan Ryoya Taniguchi 60 36
3 Singapore Hazzuwan Halim 157 32
4 Croatia Šime Žužul 54 31
5 Croatia Miroslav Krištić 67 29
6 Croatia Goran Ljubojević 37 27
8 South Korea Kim Min-ho 83 25
8 Cameroon Ludovick Takam 30 24
9 South Korea Park Kang-jin 91 20
10 New Zealand Paul Cunningham 130 19
  • Biggest Wins: 7–1 vs Sengkang Punggol (1 July 2006)
  • Heaviest Defeats: 8–1 vs Tampines Rovers (11 November 2022)
  • Youngest Goal scorers: Sameer Alassane ~ 18 years 5 months 2 days old (On 26 May 2016 vs Home United)
  • Oldest Goal scorers: Fabian Kwok ~ 34 years 2 months 15 days (On 1 June 2023 vs Lion City Sailors)
  • Youngest ever debutant: Aqil Yazid ~ 17 years 2 months 5 days (On 14 March 2021 vs Young Lions)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Untold Stories, Southeast Asian Clubs: Balestier Khalsa". Archived from the original on 22 April 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  2. ^ "Ljubojevic hopes for injury-free season at Balestier - Goal.com". goal.com. 11 February 2014. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  3. ^ "Balestier Khalsa with first-ever RHB Singapore Cup win". espnfc.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  4. ^ Juventus.com. "Open training in Singapore - Juventus". Juventus.com. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  6. ^ Hughes, Nicholas (28 August 2024). "Western United championing walking football in Singapore". Western United. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  7. ^ "Toa Payoh Integrated Development To Be Completed In 2030, Will Have Sports Facilities, Polyclinic & Library". Must Share News - Independent News For Singaporeans. 26 February 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  8. ^ "2024/25 SPL Club Guide: Balestier Khalsa". SPL.
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