Indera SC emerge Sumbangsih Cup winners

by Fadhil Yunus

INDERA SC vice-captain Amirul Hakeem bin Haji Kasim scored the winner in the second period of extra time to give his side’s their second DST Sumbangsih Cup title during the 2-1 victory over MS ABDB at the rain-soaked Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex last night.

Mohamed Zulkhairy bin Razali had given the reigning DST FA Cup winners the lead in the 39th minute but the DST Super League holders MS ABDB equalised through Mohammad Khairul Mee bin Mail in the 81st minute.

Indera SC had the chance to double their lead when Mohamed Zulkhairy latched onto a delicious ball from the centre circle but the goalscorer sliced his shot wide.

MS ABDB scored instantly when Mohammad Khairul Mee fired home from close range in the season’s curtain-raiser.

Indera SC’s new signing Petrus bin Jumat played a neat exchange with captain Hazwan bin Hamzah and confusion in the MS ABDB backline nearly cost an own goal though they were satisfied to win a corner.

DST Sumbangsih Cup final champion Indera SC in a group photo. – FADHIL YUNUS

MS ABDB won a free-kick but they fired wide as they looked in search of a late winner.

After a goalless first period in extra time, Indera SC found the winner in the second minute of the second period of extra time.

The DST FA Cup champions changed corner kick takers in the last moment and that move looked to pay dividends. Amirul Hakeem powered home a clean header in the far post which MS ABDB goalkeeper Mohammad Tarmizi bin Haji Mat Johari could not keep out. MS ABDB missed a glorious chance to take the game into penalties after a player blasted the ball wide having been teed up by a teammate from the byline.

Indera SC Head Coach Mohd Darus bin Tanjung was visibly pleased with his charges after beginning the season in triumph.

“I feel very proud as the head coach and I am confident that Indera SC will make more efforts to strengthen and become stronger in all areas,” said Mohd Darus in a post-match interview.

DST Assistant General Manager of Group Corporate Communications Radin Sufri bin Radin Basiuni presented the prizes.

https://borneobulletin.com.bn/indera-sc-emerge-sumbangsih-cup-winners/

DPMM FC appoint Stoke City’s former coach Adrian Pennock

by Fadhil Yunus

DPMM FC have announced the appointment of former Stoke City first-team coach Adrian Pennock as their new head coach for the upcoming 2019 Singapore Premier League season in Singapore, according to their website.

Pennock will succeed Rene Weber at the helm after the Brazilian had guided the Brunei-based outfit to a third place finish and the final of the Singapore Cup.

The appointment came after the Gegar Gegar men secured third place in the league following a 3-1 win over Young Lions in the final game of the season.

Pennock was part of Tony Pulis’ coaching staff during his reign as manager of Stoke City in the summer of 2011 and enjoyed a stint in the English Premier League.

The Ipswich native will be the second head coach in a space of two years who boasts experience in the English top flight to manage DPMM FC after Steve Kean who served the club for four seasons.

Pennock, who helped avoid National League side Barrow from relegation last season, became a hit with the supporters during his playing days with Gillingham where he spent six years.

He began his managerial career at Welling United from 2003 to 2005 and took the hot-seat at Forest Green Rovers after his time with the Potters. Pennock returned to the Priestfield Stadium as manager 14 years after his spell as a Gillingham player in 2017.

One of his finest career highlights was undoubtedly being named captain for the play-off final in 2000 which saw the Gills promoted to the Football League First Division for the first time in their history.

The 47-year-old was also in the books of Bournemouth from 1992 to 1996 where he became a regular for the Cherries.

https://borneobulletin.com.bn/dpmm-fc-appoint-stoke-citys-former-coach-adrian-pennock-2/

Singapore Cup Preview: History-seekers DPMM out to ruin perfect Albirex

SINGAPORE, 4 OCT 2018 – Albirex Niigata FC (S) are looking for an unprecedented fourth straight RHB Singapore Cup triumph when they take on Brunei DPMM FC on Saturday evening at Jalan Besar Stadium.

BACKGROUND The White Swans have won the Cup three times in a row and look set to retain the title, especially after going through the entire season unbeaten in all competitions.

However, DPMM Head Coach Rene Weber is calling on his squad to create history themselves by winning their first Singapore Cup.

“The opponents haven’t lost any games; they are three-time champions of the Cup but this is football, anything can happen,” Weber said.

“We can respect the opponents but that means we have to play harder than them — that’s respect.”

At the other camp, Albirex Head Coach Kazuaki Yoshinaga is refusing to take anything for granted despite his side’s unblemished record, noting that their opponents are enjoying a good run of form.

“We do not think of any past records,” he said. “For us, what we achieved in the past remains in the past. Our players and ourselves will give our best.

“DPMM have been unbeaten for ten games and Rene Weber is a very good coach for DPMM. He has helped to improve a lot of players there but we will prepare well and try to win.”

TEAM NEWSDPMM will have a largely full squad to choose from. Albirex will miss Taku Morinaga due to suspension, while Shuhei Hoshino is available for selection after returning from injury.

FORM GUIDE
Albirex: WWWDW
DPMM: WWWDD

PREVIOUS MEETINGS
07/08/18: DPMM 1-3 Albirex – Singapore Premier League
03/06/18: Albirex 5-0 DPMM – Singapore Premier League
14/04/18: Albirex 2-0 DPMM – Singapore Premier League
16/09/17: DPMM 0-1 Albirex – Singapore Premier League
16/06/17: Albirex 4-0 DPMM – Singapore Premier League

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR
Shuhei Hoshino – Albirex
With second top-scorer Morinaga out, club top scorer Hoshino is expected to return to the line-up. The striker will be looking for that one goal to take his overall tally to 20.

Shah Razen Said – DPMM
Leading by example from the front is Shah Razen Said. He may not have scored as many goals as he would have liked this season, but he is still a threat with his masterful dribbling and direct runs.

WHAT ELSE THEY SAID
Albirex head coach Yoshinaga: “Our players showed their mental strength and other strengths to win their last game, we have one more game and we want the players to give their best and win the final.

“Although there are no local clubs in the final, but we always considered ourselves a local club and we have a lot of Singaporean supporters. We will fight hard for the supporters to win the final.”

DPMM head coach Rene Weber: “We hope to win the final and write our history into the books.

“Three days to recover before a match is tough, but it is tough for Albirex too. We must believe in more of our ability, and I hope to see that on Saturday.

“We want to forget about the last game. It’s not impossible for us to win on Saturday.”

Get your tickets for the game at fas.org.sg/tickets and watch Albirex clash with DPMM atfas.org.sg/live2!

http://www.fas.org.sg/competitions/singapore-cup-preview-history-seekers-dpmm-out-ruin-perfect-albirex/