When he scores in SPL, his team never lose: Meet Balestier Khalsa’s Jakov Katusa

With four goals and nine assists, the Croat has helped Balestier climb to fourth in the SPL. Read more at straitstimes.com.

SINGAPORE – Hailing from the same hometown and academy as legend Luka Modric, Jakov Katusa believes “anything is possible” for Croatia at the 2026 World Cup with the 40-year-old talisman still calling the shots, even if they are grouped with England, Ghana and Panama.

Balestier Khalsa could well say the same of their own Croatian winger as they take on Singapore Premier League (SPL) leaders Lion City Sailors at Bishan Stadium on March 15.

As one of the SPL’s most in-form attackers, Katusa has four goals and nine assists in 10 SPL games, and remarkably, the Tigers have not lost a league game in which he has either a goal or assist, a proud record that will be tested by the unbeaten Sailors this weekend.

The 25-year-old, who was previously unaware of the statistic, told The Straits Times: “The Sailors have the best players in the league and they haven’t lost this season. It’s a privilege to play this type of games and mentally it’s easy for us because they have the unbeaten record on their back.”

Coming from a country that has produced world-class athletes in football, handball and water polo despite a population of only 3.87 million, Katusa has also learnt about making the best of every situation with a winning mentality.

While not of the same ilk as Modric – who won the Golden Ball for the World Cup’s best player as he dragged Croatia to the 2018 final – Katusa was similarly educated at the Zadar Football School from age six.