DPMM FC head coach
Vjeran Simunic
explain that he was
sent off during
their match against
Tanjong Pagar United
on Friday after he
saw a 'punch to
Hendra (midfielder
Mohd Hendra Azam
Mohd Idris) and one
player (going into
a challenge) with
a high leg'.
Picture: BT file
Patrick Vallee was left fuming after DPMM FC's last-gap equaliser in last Friday's 1-1 Singapore League draw with Tanjong Pagar United.
The Jaguars coach saw his side go ahead after a Kamel Ramdani free-kick at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore, only for DPMM FC's Brazilian import Rodrigo Tosi to deny the hosts a win with a 96th minute header.
"I don't want to complain but (someone) must show me where the five or six minutes (of) added time (came from)," Vallee told the S-League website in reference to the equaliser, which was scored a minute after the allocated injury time.
"I can't be upset or angry, just a bit disappointed (as) at the end it is frustrating... But I am happy with the performance of my team and their fighting spirit.
"Yes, I feel we were unlucky, but we can't complain because we got chances to score the second goal and I am disappointed that we did not, which could have secured us the win.
"But that is football, and I think we deserved to win. But a draw is a good result too.
"We are still in top position (in the top half) and July is a tough month (so) we will see how next Tuesday (against Albirex)," added the Frenchman.
Their clash against the Japanese outfit ended in a goalless stalemate, a result which still leaves Tanjong Pagar at third in the 12-team table where they trail Albirex by four points.
DPMM FC, who finished second in the league to Tampines Rovers last season, would be more than happy to be on third after a campaign filled with injuries and import concerns has them languishing in ninth.
After starting the season as title-contenders, DPMM FC will now be satisfied with a top-six finish though they are still in the running to defend their Singapore League Cup and win the Singapore Cup for the first time.
They face Geylang International at the Jalan Besar Stadium tomorrow, and might do so without Vjeran Simunic on the bench, the Croatian sent to the stands in the first half of the match against Tanjong Pagar.
"About the sending off, I apologise for it," the DPMM FC coach was quoted as saying on the S-League website.
"It was a reaction because I saw a punch to Hendra (midfielder Mohd Hendra Azam Mohd Idris) and one player (going into a challenge) with a high leg.
"Next time, I will not make any reaction."
