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NEWS & EVENTS
DPMM FC resume S-League campaign tonight
Friday, June 28, 2013

DPMM FC coach Vjeran Simunic
is expecting a good showing
from DPMM FC as they take
on Albirex Niigata FC (S)
in their S-League match
tonight. Picture: BT file

DPMM FC are hoping to keep the momentum going in the Singapore League (S-League) after a string of good performances in the Singapore League Cup.

They will have their first home game in over a month as they host second-placed Albirex Niigata FC (S) in the S-League today at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.

Brunei's only professional team are in good form as of late and their last match saw them come from two goals down to defeat Tanjong Pagar United 5-2 in the quarter-finals of the Singapore League Cup.

DPMM FC head coach Vjeran Simunic is upbeat but knows that it will be a difficult matchup against the Japanese outfit.

"We have put up a good performance at the Singapore League Cup and we are in excellent form," said Simunic in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.

"It is unfortunate that we came home without completing the (Singapore League Cup due to the hazy conditions resulting in the semi-finals being abandoned).

"We will have to take it one game at a time and this is going to be a tough one. Albirex is one of the best teams in the S-League and are the biggest contenders to challenge for the title," he added.

"But like always we go out to play our best football and try to play to our good form like recently. We know that we can obtain good results when we play with good teamwork," continued the Croatian.

Striker Shahrazen Said will be out of action after picking up two yellow cards in their last S-League match against the Young Lions (the Singapore under-23 national team).

However, Simunic believes that his team have the ability to pick up the slack and overcome that obstacle.

"It is always like that... how someone will not be able to play. But this season we have gone through a lot of challenges such as only playing with one import. He (Shahrazen) is one of our top players and we will have to step up to replace him," said Simunic.

Albirex came back from a goal down to defeat DPMM FC 2-1 in their first meeting at the Jurong East Stadium in Singapore in March.

Things are different this time round with DPMM FC having undergone a revamp of the squad.

Brazilian midfielder Rodrigo Tosi and Lithuanian striker Arturas Rimkevicius are set to make their home debut.

The latter will be a handful alongside Portuguese striker Joao Moreira.

Rimkevicius made an impact in his first appearance for the club after bagging a brace as a second half substitute against Tanjong Pagar United.

"He (Rimkevicius) has shown was he is capable of in his debut and his teammates are all helping him out on playing better together," said Simunic.

"We also hope that more fans will come to the stadium because it has been a while since our last home game. We need all the support that we can get," he added.

DPMM FC's last home game is one to forget after being held to a 1-1 draw against the Young Lions on May 25.

It was also the first point of the season for the latter.

Kick off is at 8.15pm.

Courtesy from Brunei Times