"It's not about me" as Stewart guided Balestier to the League Cup Glory

2013 League Cup Winners - Balestier Khalsa

Buoyed by vociferous fans who packed the main gallery before the start of the game where many available tickets were made by off-site purchase, the impressive Balestier Khalsa completely dominated the proceedings of the night.

"It's not about me." said Tiger's coach Darren Stewart at the post-match press conference following his side's 4-0 shutout of defending holders Brunei DPMM in the Starhub League Cup Final at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

Since taking over the reins at Toa Payoh Stadium two years ago, the former Australian international helped to transform the club he once skippered from a perennial minnow to a side now being characterized as a tough combative unit.

Paul Cunningham (5) scored the first goal of the night

With one trophy in the bag, the Tigers could possibly in for another bonanza if they are to bag another title when their upcoming RHB Singapore Cup semi-final matches are scheduled to take place early next month.

However, the ex-Gombak United coach refused to be carried away when he said the attention will now be shifted to their next match against Woodlands Wellington in the league on next Thursday.

Kim Minho's (15) stunning volley made it 2-0

Unmarked Poh Yifeng (17) tripled the scores in 67"

Nonetheless, coach Stewart reiterated his stance for not claiming any credit in the club's first major honour since the league's inception, instead he felt there are more deserving parties for the accolade, such as the club chairman Mr S Thavaneson whom he truly respect.

Paying his tribute to the man who is synonymous with the football club, coach Stewart said:"Credit must go to the chairman (Mr Thava) who has been so wonderful to the team and to me as well on personal terms,

"And also to the team who deserved the win tonight, please give them all the credit and coverage."

DPMM star Shahrazen Said (center) struggled

Park Kangjin (right) was named the MVP

The sentiments were also shared by the losing side with Brunei DPMM coach Vjeran Simunic lauded the achievements of Balestier in his post-game assessment.

"This year Balestier is a good team and it's always a big challenge to play against them." said the Croatian coach who failed to complete a three-peat of the title to salvage a dismal season he and his team are enduring so far.

"It is their club chairman for making a good team this year and they deserved the win tonight." as the reigning Coach of the Year recipient extended his congratulations to his opponents.

Darren Stewart credit the win as a team effort

In the meantime, the one-time Hajduk Split custodian felt sorry for his team for having to endure the defeat merely days after a good showing against Woodlands Wellington that saw them propelled to the final.

Said coach Simunic:"I feel sorry for my players as they played a good game against Woodlands but to get this bad result tonight and I hope they can learn something out of this defeat, also I would like to apologize to our fans for this result, yet to me whether it is a Silver or Gold (medal), it's a good result for the team."

FOR THE RECORD
Starhub League Cup Final -
Balestier Khalsa 4-0 Brunei DPMM
(Scorers: Paul Cunningham - 15th minute, Kim Min Ho - 34th, Poh Yi Feng - 68th and Tengku Mushadad - 86th)

Plate Final -
Courts Young Lions 0-2 Harimau Muda
(Scorers: Muhammad Syazwan Tajudin - 22nd minute and Mohd Asri Mardzuki - 70th)