DPMM FC will continue their chase for a second place finish in the Singapore League (S-League) when they host the Garena Young Lions in their final home game of the season today at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
DPMM FC, who relinquished their S-League crown after Albirex Niigata (S) FC’s 1-0 win over Geylang International FC on Thursday night, haven’t had much rest coming off a 3-1 win over Home United FC on Friday night
The Brunei side are now on 35 points and have moved to within five of second-placed Tampines Rovers FC, who have a game in hand.
DPMM FC coach Steve Kean felt that there is no problem having to play another game so close.
“There are two ways to look at it. You can say there is not enough time to recover but when you are winning it gives you that little bit more energy,” said Kean after a training session yesterday at the Jerudong Mini Stadium.
“We have had two really good recovery sessions and now we are ready to go again. We got to look at physical aspect as we are a very fit and well conditioned side,” he added.
“It shouldn’t give us too many problems in the first 75 minutes except maybe later on in the game.
“But we can freshen up like we did the other night as we got a strong bench. We are looking forward to get another three points,” continued Kean.
On paper, it might seem like an easy win for DPMM FC as they are currently in their best run of the season having only lost once in their last 11 matches in all competitions while the Young Lions are rooted at the bottom of the nine-team standings having only managed two wins and three draws over 21 games played.
DPMM FC won 4-1 the last time the two teams met in the sultanate on April 8 while the Young Lions fared much better and held the Brunei side to a 1-1 draw in their latest meeting at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore on June 19.
Kean remains wary against the Singapore development side despite the record.
“Like I always said they don’t really care. They come and play open football. Even when losing they don’t really get depressed and just keep playing,” said the former Blackburn Rovers manager.
“As a development team, each player is trying to show they are developing. It is not really about the results and scores. It is about whether they are getting better as individuals to progress to the next level. That is always dangerous. We need to approach like we’re playing Albirex, Home United or Tampines. We never disrespect teams and always do our tactical work. If we play at our maximum we will be too strong for them,” he added.
“More importantly, we need to keep ball better than we did in the second half (of the last game). We gave the ball away too cheaply that allowed Home United to come back,” continued Kean.
The DPMM FC coach also hopes they will be able to give their fans a treat in their final game at the venue this season.
“Hopefully, we can continue our good run and give the fans more to cheer about. I thought the other night in the first half we were exceptional even though we only scored one goal,” said Kean.
“We should have been four up (at halftime). Hopefully, we can play like that but be more ruthless and give fans in our last home game a good three points and some goals to cheer about,” he concluded.
The Scotsman will be shuffling his squad which will see left-back Abd Mu’iz Sisa make his debut after joining the side in June to replace the injured Sairol Hj Sahari.
Maududi Hilmi Kasmi and Shahrazen Said have also been given the nod to start with the latter replacing the injured Paulo Sergio, who is out with back spasms.
The Brunei Times
DPMM FC, who relinquished their S-League crown after Albirex Niigata (S) FC’s 1-0 win over Geylang International FC on Thursday night, haven’t had much rest coming off a 3-1 win over Home United FC on Friday night
The Brunei side are now on 35 points and have moved to within five of second-placed Tampines Rovers FC, who have a game in hand.
DPMM FC coach Steve Kean felt that there is no problem having to play another game so close.
“There are two ways to look at it. You can say there is not enough time to recover but when you are winning it gives you that little bit more energy,” said Kean after a training session yesterday at the Jerudong Mini Stadium.
“We have had two really good recovery sessions and now we are ready to go again. We got to look at physical aspect as we are a very fit and well conditioned side,” he added.
“It shouldn’t give us too many problems in the first 75 minutes except maybe later on in the game.
“But we can freshen up like we did the other night as we got a strong bench. We are looking forward to get another three points,” continued Kean.
On paper, it might seem like an easy win for DPMM FC as they are currently in their best run of the season having only lost once in their last 11 matches in all competitions while the Young Lions are rooted at the bottom of the nine-team standings having only managed two wins and three draws over 21 games played.
DPMM FC won 4-1 the last time the two teams met in the sultanate on April 8 while the Young Lions fared much better and held the Brunei side to a 1-1 draw in their latest meeting at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore on June 19.
Kean remains wary against the Singapore development side despite the record.
“Like I always said they don’t really care. They come and play open football. Even when losing they don’t really get depressed and just keep playing,” said the former Blackburn Rovers manager.
“As a development team, each player is trying to show they are developing. It is not really about the results and scores. It is about whether they are getting better as individuals to progress to the next level. That is always dangerous. We need to approach like we’re playing Albirex, Home United or Tampines. We never disrespect teams and always do our tactical work. If we play at our maximum we will be too strong for them,” he added.
“More importantly, we need to keep ball better than we did in the second half (of the last game). We gave the ball away too cheaply that allowed Home United to come back,” continued Kean.
The DPMM FC coach also hopes they will be able to give their fans a treat in their final game at the venue this season.
“Hopefully, we can continue our good run and give the fans more to cheer about. I thought the other night in the first half we were exceptional even though we only scored one goal,” said Kean.
“We should have been four up (at halftime). Hopefully, we can play like that but be more ruthless and give fans in our last home game a good three points and some goals to cheer about,” he concluded.
The Scotsman will be shuffling his squad which will see left-back Abd Mu’iz Sisa make his debut after joining the side in June to replace the injured Sairol Hj Sahari.
Maududi Hilmi Kasmi and Shahrazen Said have also been given the nod to start with the latter replacing the injured Paulo Sergio, who is out with back spasms.
The Brunei Times
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