Change in venue for DPMM FC’s three S-League matches

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Saturday, February 28, 2015

DPMM FC’s first three matches of the Singapore League (S-League) will be played at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas due to clashes with the national team’s 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Chinese Taipei.
The season opener against Harimau Muda (Malaysian national Under-22 team) remains unchanged and is set for 8.15pm tomorrow.
However, DPMM FC’s March 7 game against Albirex Niigata FC (S) at the Jurong East Stadium in Singapore will now be played at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.
And instead of playing Young Lions (Singaporean national Under-23 team) at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore on March 11, DPMM FC’s third game will see them take on Home United FC at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium on March 21.
DPMM FC – who finished as runners-up to Warriors FC last season – were originally slated to host Home on March 18.
However, with the national team – the majority of whom play for DPMM FC – to play Chinese Taipei in the return leg of their 2018 World Cup first round qualifiers on March 17, the match has since been pushed forward. The first leg in Chinese Taipei is set for March 12, just one day after DPMM FC were originally set to play Young Lions.
It is understood DPMM FC asked the Football Association of Singapore to shift the dates. The S-League fixture list was finalised late last month but the draw for the World Cup qualifiers was only carried out on Feb 10.
“It’s good that they managed to change the dates as we’ll need a good start as possible to the season,” DPMM FC captain Rosmin Hj Mohd Kamis told The Brunei Times yesterday.
DPMM FC’s next three games will be all played in Singapore before they return to the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in May.
DPMM FC face Balestier Khalsa FC on May 1 and Tampines Rovers FC on May 10. The Singapore League Cup will run from June 19-July 10 and the Singapore Cup from May 20 to Nov 27.
Brunei, who will be led by Mike Wong Mun Heng for the World Cup qualifiers, last attempted to qualify for the 2002 edition in South Korea and Japan - losing all six of their games against Yemen, the United Arab Emirates and India.

The Brunei Times

Brunei set for three tournaments

bandar seri begawan

Friday, February 27, 2015

BRUNEI will once again have the chance to see where they stand on the regional stage after the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) confirmed the country’s participation in this year’s AFF Futsal Championships and the Under-19 and Under-16 Championships.
The AFF Council met in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, where it was revealed that the two junior tournaments will have the participation of all 12 AFF members – the 10 ASEAN states plus Timor Leste and Australia - for the first time. Except for Cambodia, all other members will be lacing up in the AFF Futsal Championships. The AFF’s website stated that all three tournaments will be held in Indonesia, with the AFF Futsal Championships set for Oct 8-18 in Jakarta, the Under-19 Championships set for Aug 22-Sept 4 in Sidoarjo and the Under-16 Championships set for July 27-Aug 7 in Solo.
After finishing bottom of their group with the worst goal difference the last time the country competed in the three tournaments, there is nowhere but up for this year’s teams.
Brunei have been placed in Group A with titleholders and 10-time champions Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Timor Leste in the Futsal Championships, with Group B comprised of Australia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Brunei were one of the five countries which took part in the inaugural AFF Futsal Championships held in Kuala Lumpur in 2001 along with hosts Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore - who are making a return to the meet after a 13-year break.
This year’s AFF Futsal Championships will also be used as the qualifiers for the AFC Futsal Championship in 2016, with the top three teams will make the cut for the AFC event to be held in China.
Meanwhile, the Under-16 tournament has Brunei grouped with defending champions Malaysia, Laos, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam in Group A. Group B comprises of hosts Indonesia, Australia, Cambodia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Singapore
The Under-19 groupings have yet to be announced.
Brunei did not take part in the Under-19 and Under-16 events last year but were among the 10 countries at last year’s Futsal Championships in Kuala Lumpur.
However, the most pressing tournament the country is preparing for at the moment is the two-legged World Cup qualifier against Chinese Taipei.
Brunei, who will be led by Mike Wong Mun Heng, take on Chinese Taipei on March 12, with the second leg to be played in Brunei on March 17.
Meanwhile, the AFF website also reported National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) President HRH Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah has been extended one of the two remaining positions for AFF vice-president ahead of the April 25 elections.
AFF announced they would support incumbents Honourable Francisco Kalbuadi Lay (Timor Leste) and Maj. Gen Khiev Sameth (Cambodia) to continue as two of the four AFF vice-presidents, with HRH Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah and Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) chairman Datuk Sri’ Prof. Dr. Ir Djohar Arifin Hussin having been extended the two remaining positions.
The website reported that AFF President HRH Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah has received the overwhelming support of the AFF to lead the regional body for another term after receiving the unanimous backing of the 12 members.
The meeting was the AFF Council’s 14th meeting for the 2011/2015 term.

The Brunei Times

DPMM FC all set for new season

Hafizan Hisham

Bandar Seri Begawan

Thursday, February 26, 2015

DPMM FC are in fine form ahead of their season-opening Singapore League (S-League) game against Harimau Muda (Malaysian national Under-22 team) on Sunday.
Brunei’s only professional football club gathered at the Jerudong Mini Stadium yesterday for their team photo for the 2015 season with His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince, Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and DPMM FC chairman.
Speaking to The Brunei Times after the photo op, DPMM FC team manager Ali Hj Momin said he hopes the club can improve on their performance last season when they finished as S-League runners-up, Singapore League Cup champions and claimed third in the Singapore Cup.

“Our target is to become the S-League and Singapore Cup champions as we have never won those titles before,” said Ali in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.
The club have signed three new foreign players this season; English forward Craig Fagan, Northern Ireland defender Brian McLean and Brazilian striker Rafael Ramazotti.
They join Irish midfielder Joe Gamble and Bosnian defender Boris Raspudic as the team's five imports for the new S-League season. When asked about the new import players, Ali replied: “We will have to see in their first match this Sunday.
“It is different to play in a competitive match (compared to) normal friendly matches. Due to their height advantage, I feel that the import players can help us to score and defend set pieces.
“Last season we conceded many goals from set pieces due to our players’ height,” added the manager.
Striker Shahrazen Said echoed his manager’s comments, saying that he hopes the club can top the S-League, retain the League Cup and make the Singapore Cup final.
“As a striker my job is to score for my team. I also have a target of how many goals I want to score, but it depends on the number of matches I play,” he said.
“About the new import players, I can see there is a quality that Rafael and Fagan can give to our attack. Rafael has his height advantage while Fagan has experience playing in the English Premier League,” answered the striker when asked about new import players.
Commenting on the new local young players, Shahrazen said: “I’m surprised they have quickly adapt to our playing style as our previous players needed longer time. I believe one or two of them can play in the first-11 this season.” Shahrazen’s younger brother, Adi, also shared his brother’s hopes.
“My target for this season is the same as Shahrazen, but I really hope that we don’t repeat last season’s S-League performance where we lost the league title at the very last match,” said the striker.
“I do not set any scoring targets but I hope that I will be given trust to play more games this season,” he answered when asked about his goal scoring target this season.
Adi also hoped that the import players can help the local players and lead the club to more success this season.
Md Suhandi Hj Awang Mahali, who joins as a new goalkeeper, is hoping that he can improve his performance.
“I hope that I can improve and give healthy competition to the other goalkeepers,” said the goalkeeper who played for the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) for seven years.
When asked about Steve Kean’s training regime, he replied: “It is hard compared to my training at MS ABDB, but I’m okay with it.”
The match against Harimau Muda is set for 8.15pm at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
They then face Albirex Niigata FC (S) at the Jurong East Stadium in Singapore on March 7 and Young Lions (Singaporean national Under-23 team) at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore on March 11.

The Brunei Times

Rimba Star held by BESA

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

bandar seri begawan

Saturday, February 21, 2015

RIMBA Star were held to a 2-2 draw by 10-man BESA FC in the DST Premier League at the Berakas Sports Complex last night.
BESA were reduced to 10 men early in the second half when Mohammad Azmi was red carded following a dangerous tackle on Rimba Star player.
“We could have won tonight but my players were panicked and were very wasteful…We could have scored two to three more goals,” said Rimba Star manager Yassin Hj Mohd Noor in an interview with The Brunei Times after the match.
“Obviously we need to work hard, especially on our finishing. There are nine more matches to go and I hope that we can perform better in our coming matches,” he added.
Meanwhile, BESA manager/caoch Hj Mesli Hj Dullah was happy to walk away with one point from the match.
“We dominated the first half and we also managed to score in the second half after being reduced to 10 players… Overall I think we played very well,” said Hj Mesli.
“Rimba wasted a lot of chances tonight and they could have won, so I am very happy with the draw,” he added.
Both teams started strongly in the first half but it was BESA who found the net first when Mohd Nurhafiz Hj Abdul Wahab was brought down inside the penalty box by a Rimba Star defender.
Syamra Hj Zaini converted the penalty to put BESA 1-0 ahead in the 25th minute.
BESA were throwing their players forward after the first goal as they were looking to increase the lead before the break, but it was Rimba Star who found the net as they were awarded a penalty after BESA goalkeeper Amizul Fazri Kifli brought down Mohd Qamaruluddin Abdul Rahim inside the penalty area.
Mohd Khalil Hj Ahmad Kamil stepped up to take the penalty and put Rimba Star level 1-1 in the 38th minute.
Abdul Azim Hj Safri should have put BESA ahead again just a minute later when he was set one-on-one with the Rimba Star goalkeeper Hj Nursukryzal Hj Abdul Wahab, but the midfielder fired the ball over the bar.
In the second-half Mohammad Azmi was red carded for bringing down a Rimba Star player inside the penalty box and captain Ahmad Hafiz Said went on to convert the penalty in the 56th minute to put Rimba Star 2-1 ahead.
But their celebrations were shortlived when BESA equalised just a minute later through Syamra.
The competition tonight with a match between Setia Perdana and Kota Rangers at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.
Kick-off is at 8:15pm.

The Brunei Times

DPMM FC players, sponsors sign contracts for new season

Hafizan Hisham

Bandar Seri Begawan

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

THREE new foreign players were among the team of 25 that inked their names onto DPMM FC contracts yesterday for the new Singapore League (S-League) season.
English forward Craig Fagan, Northern Ireland defender Brian McLean and Brazilian striker Rafael Ramazotti join Irish midfielder Joe Gamble and Bosnian defender Boris Raspudic as the team’s five imports for the campaign which kicks off on March 1.
The signing ceremony at the Red Jade Room, Centrepoint Hotel in Gadong was witnessed by YAM Pg Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pg Anak Haji Abdul Rahim Pengiran Indera Mahkota Pg Anak (Dr) Kemaludin Al-Haj, DPMM FC vice-chairman, with representatives from eight companies also signing on the dotted line.
Fagan, McLean and Ramazotti are replacing last season’s top-scorer Brazilian striker Rodrigo Tosi, Irish forward Roy O’Donovan and Croatian midfielder Roberto Alviz.
Fagan, 32, was previously at League One (English third-tier) side Gillingham FC but spent most of his career playing for Hull City from 2005-2007 and from 2008-2010 when they were in the English Premier League.
McLean, 29, has played for Falkirk, Dundee United and Ross County in the top-tier Scottish Premiership while Ramazotti, 26, last laced up for J-League Division 3 side Gainare Tottori last year.
A press release from his agent said that Fagan has made a total of 80 appearances for EPL sides Birmingham City, Hull City and Derby County and has scored against the likes of Fulham, West Bromwich Albion, Bolton Wanderers, Manchester United and Manchester City.
Speaking to the media, Fagan said he was pleased with the standard showed in the squad which finished as runners-up to Warriors FC last season.
“I really enjoy playing with this team. The standard here is really good and with the addition (of new players) we have this year, I hope we can make a push for the championship this season,” he said.
When asked about working with former Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean, he replied: “It is good to work with an English manager and I am looking forward to every session.
“I’ve never played in Asia before, but I’ve watched football in all continents and I am looking forward to playing here,” added Fagan.
McLean, who knew about DPMM FC after having a conversation with Kean, also does not have any experience playing in Asia.
But like Fagan, his aim is to win titles at DPMM FC.
“This team is really fantastic and our preparation was really good,” said the defender.
“The challenge for me here is the climate and I still have to adapt to it. My ultimate goal is to win the league and cup with the team,” he added.
Ramazotti, who played in J-League Division 3 side Gainare Tottori last year, is also happy to play in Brunei.
“They (the players) are very good guys and I also like the city here,” said Ramazotti.
When asked about the weather here, he responded: “I don’t have a problem with the weather here since it is almost the same as in Brazil.”
Representatives from Mitsubishi Corporation, Maju Motors Sdn Bhd, Brunei Shell Marketing Company Sdn Bhd, DST Group, Royal Brunei Airlines, Hertz, Hui Huang Enterprise and Sports Partnership Pte Ltd also signed on as sponsors.
DPMM FC’s first S-League match is against Harimau Muda (Malaysian national Under-22 team) at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas on March 1.
Two away matches await them next, Albirex Niigata FC (S) at the Jurong East Stadium on March 7 and Young Lions (Singaporean national Under-23 team) at the Jalan Besar Stadium on March 11.

The Brunei Times

Press Release: Former Hull City forward, Craig Fagan joins Bruneian side, DPMM FC for 2015 S-League season‏

Dear all,

We are pleased to announce that our client, Craig Fagan (see attached CV) has joined S-League invitational side, Brunei DPMM FC for the 2015 season.  The English Premier League (EPL) player is set to become one of the highest profile foreign players of the S-League since its inception 20 years ago.   

"I am very happy and excited to have signed for DPMM FC and cannot wait for the season to begin. I will like to thank my representatives, Trebol Sports International for securing this move on my behalf and the club for keeping faith in my abilities."

Craig has made a total of 80 appearances for EPL sides, Birmingham City, Hull City and Derby County and has scored against the likes of Fulham, West Bromwich Albion, Bolton Wanderers, Manchester United and Manchester City.  

He hopes his signing can inject a breath of fresh air and pull in more crowd for the S-League this season.

"I have seen some games from the S-league in the past and I am hoping to bring more attention to it by playing well this season.   I have been thinking about making a move to Asia during the last couple of years.  I have some friends who have played in various leagues in Asia and they have only good things to say about Asian football. When my representatives informed me of this opportunity, it did not take me long for me to accept it."

The versatile forward who could feature as an out-and-out striker or winger was very impressed with his first visit to Brunei, in particularly DPMM FC.  

"During my first visit to the club, I was very surprised by the high standard of training and stadium facilities.  The management team and the players made me feel welcome and instantly, I knew this is the kind of club I want to play for."

With the season starting in 2 weeks' time, the EPL star has wasted little time setting his targets and priorities for the season.

"My target for the team will be to achieve more than the season before and that means we should be gunning for the championship.  Personally, I want to help the team in all ways I can to achieve this- be it scoring goals, providing assists or passing my EPL experience to my team mates.  As long as we pull in one direction together, I do not see why we cannot pull off two or three trophies."

www.trebolsports.net

DST Premier League set to kick off tomorrow

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh




BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN


Friday, February 13, 2015





THE DST Premier League 2015 season will kick off tomorrow night with two matches.

Brunei Shell Recreational Club Football Team (BSRC FT) will go up against Tunas FC at the Tutong Sports Complex while Kota Ranger will face Pancur Murai FC at the Berakas Sports Complex at the same time.

Capping off the week’s action will be Menglait FC and Kasuka FC, who go head-to-head on Sunday at the Tutong Sports Complex.

All three matches are scheduled to start at 8:15pm, and the complete fixtures for the league are available at the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam’s (NFABD) website at www.nfabd.org.

This year sees an increase in participation from eight teams to 11. BSRC FT, Perkasa FC, Setia Perdana, Kota Ranger, Rimba Star and Tunas FC are the returning teams in this season, with Menglait FC, Kasuka FC, Pancur Murai FC, Besa FC and Tebuan Under-18 newcomers.

Lun Bawang were crowned the champions last year ending their campaign with their 100 per cent win record, defeating Tunas FC 3-2 at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas in their final game on May 17.

The Temburong district based club kicked off their campaign with a 3-1 win over IKLS and edged Brunei Shell Recreational (BSRC) FT 3-2 in the second game before defeating Perkasa 2-1.

Lun Bawang continued their great form with a 3-1 win over Setia Perdana before cruising past Kota Rangers 3-0, following that up with a 4-3 win over Rimba Star.

Lun Bawang have now been promoted to the first-tier DST Super League this year, and they will be joined by last year’s DST Premier League runners-up IKLS.

NFABD announced earlier this month that the DST Super League, which was slated to start this month, has now been postponed to early April.

The decision to do so is thought to be the involvement of some of the DST Super League players in international competitions next month - the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Under-23 Championship 2016 Qualifiers in Indonesia, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers and the first round of the Preliminary Joint Qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Preliminary Competition.

Defending champions Indera SC, Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB), Najip FC, Wijaya FC, Jerudong FC, the Royal Brunei Police Force Sports Council (MS PDB), Kilanas FC, Lun Bawang, IKLS and Tebuan Muda (the national Under-23 football team) will battle for the top honours in the DST Super League this year.

The Brunei Times