DPMM FC are looking to end their slide in their Singapore League (S-League) campaign as they take on Tanjong Pagar United FC today at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.
Last season's runners-up are barely a shadow of their former selves, currently sitting in ninth place of the 12-team table with 19 points from 16 matches.
Their last victory in the S-League dates back to May 10 when they edged Home United FC 3-2 at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
They have since drawn one and lost three.
Their last outing saw them squander a two-goal lead to lose 5-2 to Woodlands Wellington at the Jalan Besar Stadium last Friday.
Brunei's only professional football team will have a tough task on their hands as Tanjong Pagar are playing well, sitting in third spot with 28 points.
DPMM FC, however, can look to their on-going Singapore League Cup campaign for inspiration.
They came from behind to beat Tanjong Pagar 5-2 in the quarter-finals of the competition last month.
The S-League is a different tournament and leftback Sairol Hj Sahari knows what must be addressed if they are to turn their season around.
"We must bounce back and focus for the whole 90 minutes because, sometimes, we lose our concentration during the game," said Sairol in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.
"Every team have the ability to beat everyone else and it is important for us to win so that we can be inside the top-six," he added.
Ramadhan has also begun and the players are fasting but Sairol expects the club's imports to pull up their socks.
"I think the fasting month might affect the team so we have to play smart. Our import players will have to give their 100 per cent," said Sairol.
"We have to work smart, play as a team and focus. That is important for us to conjure up the win," he said.
Striker Shahrazen Said felt that they had a good showing in their last game but hoped they can keep up the performance for the whole 90 minutes.
"We will come out as normal and play our game. We must fight back to get the points because we want to be inside the top-six," said Shahrazen.
"I'm not sure about the team's confidence but we just need to play like how we did against Woodlands, to keep scoring when have chances and to focus on defence," he said.
"As for the fasting month, there is no effect. It actually makes us stronger," continued the forward.
Captain and midfielder Rosmin Kamis is set to miss the encounter after picking up his fourth yellow card of the season in the last match.
Tanjong Pagar's Kamel Ramdani will also be watching the game from the stands for his fourth booking of the season.
The game kicks off at 8pm.
Balestier Khalsa FC and Harimau Muda played out to a 1-1 draw at the Toa Payoh Stadium in Singapore last night.
Qiu Li had given Balestier Khalsa the lead just before the break in the 45th minute before Asyraf Talib scored just before the final whistle in the 90th minute to share the spoils.
