DPMM FC will be looking to build on their good start to the Singapore League (S-League) season when they take on Warriors FC in their first home game of the campaign tonight.
The club have been reinvigorated by the arrival of former Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean during the close season, and they were able to snap a three-game losing streak to Albirex Niigata (S) FC in their S-League opener last week.
As if their 1-0 win at the Jurong East Stadium in Singapore wasn't enough of a statement, Kean used his post-match press conference to announce DPMM FC's title bid on two fronts - the S-League and Singapore Cup.
Though it may be too early to confirm if DPMM FC really are championship contenders, club captain Rosmin Hj Mohd Kamis said the team have been boosted by their victory against the Japanese outfit- and all they need to do now is be consistent.
"We've got a different coach and he has brought in different methods, and it has worked out so far and the win against Albirex has given us confidence," he told The Brunei Times ahead of tonight's clash at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
"The difference now is that we are more compact and have more movement, and we just need to keep up the good work we did against Albirex," added the 32-year-old central midfielder yesterday.
Record eight-time S-League winners Warriors also got their season off to a winning start by beating Geylang International 2-1 last week, holding on to the three points despite Croatian defender Marin Vidosevic's red card in the 81st minute.
Vidosevic will not be lining up tonight, but the Warriors, who beat DPMM FC for seventh during last season's campaign, are adamant that they will give their hosts a run for their money.
"We'll be weary of DPMM FC but we're not here just to make up the numbers," warned Warriors' coach Alex Weaver, who took over from V Selvaraj midway through last season.
"This is DPMM FC's first home game of the season and there will be a good crowd and great atmosphere.
"We've got a very (offensive) team and with the players we've got, the game should be quite exciting.
"We signed some strong midfielders this season - Kevin McCann, Thomas Beattie, Miroslav Pejic, Mohammad Hafiz Mohd Nor - and I'm sure that people would have been pleased with our display against Geylang."
Tonight's other game will see Woodlands Wellington take on Balestier Khalsa, who led the league after the first week of action, at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.
Balestier dropped to second after Hougang United's 2-1 win against Tanjong Pagar United at the Queenstown Stadium in Singapore last night moved Hougang to the summit.
Albirex bounced back from their loss to DPMM FC by beating Harimau Muda B (Malaysian national Under-21 team) 3-0 in last night's other game at the Jurong East Stadium.
