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NEWS & EVENTS
DPMM FC gung-ho against Hougang United
Saturday, October 19, 2013

DPMM FC captain Rosmin Hj Kamis in action during a training session yesterday. DPMM FC will play Hougang United FC tonight. Picture: BT/ Yee Chun Leong


DPMM FC are gunning for all three points when they host Hougang United FC in their Singapore League (S-League) encounter tonight at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.

Brunei's only professional team are in good form recently after coming off back-to-back victories over Harimau Muda B and Young Lions (the Singapore under-23 team) respectively.

DPMM FC head coach, Vjeran Simunic, has been playing with an almost all-local lineup and is in a confident mood.

"We are playing with the best team possible. We have moved forward (without imports) and I'm proud of this team," said Simunic in an interview with The Brunei Times during a training session yesterday at the Jerudong Mini Stadium.

"They took responsibility when the team was down especially the younger players who have stepped up to the task," he added.

"It is a big game tomorrow (Saturday night) and we expect a good challenge from our opponents. They are a good team and it will be tight. It can go either way but we hope to get all three points," continued the Croatian.

Simunic also urged more fans to come and give their support to the team on home soil.

"We hope that more Bruneians will come to support the team because the team is made up of 99 per cent local players. They deserve to get the support," pleaded Simunic.

They have no suspension worries and will only be missing left-back Sairol Hj Sahari, who is out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on his meniscus tear.

Brazilian Rodrigo Tosi is in form having found the back of the net thrice in their past two matches.

Hendra Azam Mohd Idris has also shown his capability in scoring on set pieces.

On the other hand, Hougang United are also another team in form having gone unbeaten in their last three outings.

They have not lost to DPMM FC this season as well. The last time the two teams met in Brunei, the home side missed two penalties and squandered a two-goal cushion to draw 3-3 in March.

Hougang United were the better team in their second meeting, beating DPMM FC 2-1 at the Hougang Stadium in Singapore two months later.

Amin Nasri, the head coach of Hougang United, is in confident mood but knows that it won't be easy to take full points in the Sultanate.

"The confidence level of the team is high after we got good results in our past two meetings," said Amin.

"It won't be easy though this time because it will be different from the past two games. Our opponents should have done their homework and studied us technically," he added.

Just like DPMM FC, they also had a break of some three weeks after their last game.

They are coming off a 2-2 draw against Tampines Rovers and a 2-0 victory over Woodlands Wellington in friendlies earlier in the week.

"This was a concern for us after coming off three consecutive good results. The long break kind of killed the momentum," said Amin.

"Looking at the bright side, we are keeping a positive attitude as it also gave us ample time to prepare ourselves.

"It is good to get those good results (in the friendlies) but how it will go tomorrow cannot be based on that," he added.

"It is unpredictable but it is a good guideline for us. (The friendlies) have given confidence to the strikers after scoring some goals," concluded Amin.

Striker Mamadou Diallo will be one to watch out for after scoring a goal each in the last three matches.

Kickoff is at 8.15pm.

Meanwhile, Geylang International FC defeated Warriors FC 3-0 last night at the Bedok Stadium in Singapore.

The other game saw Woodlands Wellington and Tanjong Pagar United play out to a 2-2 draw at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

Courtesy from Brunei Times