DPMM FC's two new local players are looking to get as much playing time as possible during this season's Singapore League (S-League) - though they know that's easier said than done.
The club gathered at the Jerudong Mini Stadium yesterday to take their team photo for the season, with both His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Deputy Sultan and DPMM FC chairman, and YAM Pg Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pg Anak Haji Abdul Rahim Pg Indera Mahkota Pg Anak (Dr) Kemaludin Al-Haj, DPMM FC vice-chairman, attending.
Though Muhd Maududi Hilmi Kasmi is no stranger to the team - he first joined in the 2007 season when the club was playing in the Malaysian Super League and laced up for two others years, but did not get a call-up last season - Hj Mohd Yussof Hj Mat Yassin is a new face at the club after joining from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council.
Defenders Pg Sallehuddin Pg Hj Damit and Suhaime Hj Md Yussof join goalkeeper Md Fakhrul Zulhazmi Yussof have not been given contracts for this season, with the club still looking for third goalkeeper to join Wardun Yussof and Azman Ilham Hj Md Noor.
Both Muhd Maududi and Hj Mohd Yussof know that the battle for a place on the team list will be tough - Muhd Maududi is an attacking midfielder while Hj Mohd Yussof is a left-back - but the duo certainly have the right spirit.
Hj Mohd Yussof, especially, who finally got a DPMM FC jersey after being called up for trials in 2009 and 2012 but only marking his mark this year.
"Of course, I'm proud to be here," said Hj Mohd Yussof yesterday.
"It's going to be hard to get playing time because Sai (Sairol Hj Sahari) is the first-choice left-back, but I will do all I can to get a place in the match-day squad.
"I got called up for trials two months ago and it's good to be in the team.
"Fitting in has been easy since I already know all of the other guys from my time playing with them in the national team and for other (local) competitions," added the 28-year-old before yesterday's training.
Sairol has been in the team since the 2004-2005 season and has been a consistently reliable player throughout those years, so it is understandable why Hj Mohd Yussof feels that his time on the playing field will be limited.
Muhd Maududi, though, faces more competition than just one player.
Brazilian striker Rodrigo Tosi and Croatian central midfielder Roberto Alviz are expected to start every game, and after adding in the fact that Azwan Ali Rahman and Md Najip Hj Tarif also play similar attacking roles in midfield, it's easy to see why Muhd Maududi knows he will have his work cut out for him.
"It will be hard to get some playing time, especially with the imports around - but I might play if someone gets injured," said the 25-year-old.
"I can also play as a right midfielder, but that's where Joe (Irish midfielder Joe Gamble) plays," added Muhd Maududi, who last played for the club during their debut S-League season in 2009.
But despite all the talk about a predicted lack of minutes, neither player seemed downhearted or disappointed.
Competition for a spot in Brunei's most famous club has always been difficult, but the pair certainly have the quality required to play in DPMM FC.
Both have played for the national team in various competitions, and at the national level, Muhd Maududi spent time at Majra FC during his spell away from DPMM FC.
More recently, he took the 4th Piala Keputeraan Football Championship by storm last December when he ended as the tournament's top scorer with 15 goals for champions Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA).
Taking the S-League by storm may be too lofty of a goal at the moment, but Hj Mohd Yussof and Muhd Maududi know they are at the right club to do so.
