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Balestier set sights on League Cup triumph ahead of Albirex final

Balestier Khalsa will be looking to win their third trophy in as many years on Friday evening when they take on Albirex Niigata (S) in the final of The New Paper (TNP) League Cup.

Although the Tigers are not exactly one of the traditional heavyweights in Singapore football, they have enjoyed much success in recent times after winning the League Cup in 2013, which was followed by victory in the RHB Singapore Cup last season.

On Friday, they can complete a hat trick of titles if they are able to see off Albirex at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

Although Balestier coach Marko Kraljevic knows his side cannot afford to get overconfident, he believes they have what it takes to emerge triumphant.

"I won't say I am confident but I don't think they (Albirex) will be confident as well," he said.

"It's a final and anything can happen -- you never know.

"Both teams will find it tough and the pace of the game will be faster than normal. We're also going to play differently from our semifinal win against Hougang United.

Albirex beat us 1-0 in the S.League earlier in the season but we did have a few chances in that game.

"I won't say I'm confident but I think we can win the final and bring the cup back to the Toa Payoh Stadium."

The Tigers have been impressive throughout the campaign and negotiated their way out of a tricky Group B by finishing above Warriors FC and Tampines Rovers, before seeing off the Cheetahs 3-2 in Monday's last-four clash.

Based on recent form and their past success in cup competitions, they appear to be the tougher opposition for Albirex as the Japanese outfit looked to repeat their League Cup triumph of 2011.

Nonetheless, White Swans coach Tatsuyuki Okuyama insists he is not overly bothered by who they are facing in the final.

"I think we did a good job in our semifinal win over Geylang," said the 39-year-old.

"We really showed our spirit and how much we wanted to win that game and make it to the final.

"I didn't really have a preference as to which team we wanted to face -- Balestier or Hougang.

"We want to win the title by beating the strongest opponent available and that's what we'll be looking to do on Friday."

Like Balestier, Albirex have also been in good form throughout the League Cup and will be looking to the likes of Atsushi Kawata, Fumiya Kogure and Rion Taki to fire them to victory.

Albirex Niigata (S) Probable Lineup: Yosuke Nozawa, Mikiya Yamada, Takahiro Saito, Kento Fujihara, Itsuki Yamada, Hikaru Mizuno, Shun Inaba, Fumiya Kogure, Rui Kumada, Rion Taki, Atsushi Kawata.

Balestier Khalsa Probable Lineup: Zaiful Nizam, Ahmad Syahir, Igor Cerina, Emir Lotinac, Ho Wai Loon, Fadhil Noh, Poh Yi Feng, Tarik Cmajcanin, Zulkiffli Hassim, Robert Pericic, Miroslav Kristic.