Late Heartbreak as Albirex Fall to Balestier in Season Finale
Albirex Niigata FC Singapore concluded their 2025 Singapore Premier League campaign with a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Balestier Khalsa at Bishan Stadium, with a fluke stoppage-time goal denying them a share of the points. Despite Koki Kawachi’s aerial dominance and a spirited second-half fightback, a looping last-minute strike over the head of Hassan Sunny sealed the Tigers’ victory and ensured a winning send-off for outgoing head coach Peter de Roo.
Albirex found themselves trailing early when Anton Fase struck in the 26th minute, taking advantage of a defensive lapse to fire Balestier ahead. Masahiro Sugita then doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time, leaving Albirex with an uphill task after the interval.
However, Albirex responded in style, led by Kawachi’s presence in the air. The centre back scored his first goals of the season with two well-placed headers—his first in the 51st minute and another in the 69th—bringing Albirex level and putting Balestier on the back foot.
Just as Albirex looked poised to see out the draw, disaster struck in the dying moments of stoppage time. In the fourth minute of added time, Reycredo Bukit’s speculative attempt turned into a cruel misfortune for Albirex, looping over Hassan Sunny and settling into the net—securing Balestier’s victory and their fourth-place finish in the league.
With this result, Albirex ends the season in sixth place, determined to regroup ahead of the next campaign. While the night ended in heartbreak, the team will look to build on their performances and return stronger in the coming season.
Albirex found themselves trailing early when Anton Fase struck in the 26th minute, taking advantage of a defensive lapse to fire Balestier ahead. Masahiro Sugita then doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time, leaving Albirex with an uphill task after the interval.
However, Albirex responded in style, led by Kawachi’s presence in the air. The centre back scored his first goals of the season with two well-placed headers—his first in the 51st minute and another in the 69th—bringing Albirex level and putting Balestier on the back foot.
Just as Albirex looked poised to see out the draw, disaster struck in the dying moments of stoppage time. In the fourth minute of added time, Reycredo Bukit’s speculative attempt turned into a cruel misfortune for Albirex, looping over Hassan Sunny and settling into the net—securing Balestier’s victory and their fourth-place finish in the league.
With this result, Albirex ends the season in sixth place, determined to regroup ahead of the next campaign. While the night ended in heartbreak, the team will look to build on their performances and return stronger in the coming season.
