The highlights between Warriors FC and DPMM FC last night

At one stage, DPMM FC were 10 points ahead in the competition as they were on a hot streak with seven consecutive victories. Last night, Warriors FC handed DPMM FC their second loss of the season with a narrow 1-0 victory. The goal was courtesy of a set-piece in the first half through Hafiz Rahim. DPMM FC were missing Aziz Tamit who was nursing an ankle injury as Shahrul took his defensive duties with the return of Boris Raspudic in defence.

DPMM FC had an early chance to grab the lead. Perhaps it was the best chance of the game when Roy O’Donovan raced unchallenged with only the keeper to beat but Warriors FC keeper Hassan Sunny foiled his attempt. The keeper was up to the task to parry off Roberto Alviz’s free kick a minute later. Warriors FC had plenty of scoring opportunities as well but Wardun made many crucial saves.

A great job by Warriors FC defence led by captain Daniel Bennett who was partnered by Marin Vidosevic to keep a clean sheet against the highest scoring team in the league. The victory now puts Warriors FC four points away from league leaders DPMM FC. No wonder Steve Kean said the four big games (Albirex, Warriors, Home and Tampines) are vital.

DPMM FC head coach said, “Warriors played better in the first half. We were a little bit slow to push forward and Warriors won a lot of second balls.”

DPMM FC next game will be next weekend when they take on Global FC in the RHB Cup in Singapore before their crucial match against Home United FC on Friday 6th of June at Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium.

Images below courtesy of Abel Khoo (Singapore).

DPMM FC line up last night

DPMM FC in against Warriors FC

Warriors celebrating Hafiz Rahim’s winning goal

DPMM FC coming close in scoring the equalizing goal

DPMM FC fans from Brunei Shell Marketing and The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (Brunei)

Warriors FC with their supporters

 

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Another lucky draw for DPMM FC fans tomorrow

All eyes on Steve Kean as he caught everyone by surprise, leading DPMM FC to the summit and steamrolling past opponents, scoring 30 goals in just 11 games so far this season. Former Blackburn Rovers manager attributed the success of DPMM FC not just on the players but he was also truly grateful towards His Royal High the Crown Prince cum Chairman of DPMM FC and also DPMM FC’s management.

“Credit has to go way back to the management, the club and of course, the Crown Prince and the amazing foreign imports that have come in and obviously that I’ve given a lot of control and the players that I want to keep. But the organization behind in getting Rodrigo here and Boris and obviously I know Joe (Gamble) and Roy (O’Donovan), but credit has to go to management even from last season as soon as the last game was finished,” said Steve Kean.

Kean shared how the pre-season has made them a stronger team as well and the training schemes have been consistent from day one. The players have a good base fitness which can prove vital over the season and try to reduce the number of injuries over the course of the season.

“We have gotten stronger physically. Roberto was tackled badly in the last game but because his legs are so strong and we have done all the work (from the gym). The training sessions have been getting better and you can see the tempo and the intensity of the training have changed and the standard is really high and credit has to go to all the players as well.”

Kean is now very focus on the next four games (Albirex, Warriors, Home, Tampines) and he is aware that even though there is a gap, these next four games are massive. In between, DPMM FC will also have to talk on Global FC in the RHB Singapore Cup.

DPMM FC will take on Albirex Niigata FC tomorrow at the Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium and should they win, it will set a new benchmark of a 10 point gap at the summit. I have seen how Albirex fared against DPMM FC in the first game of the season and the Japanese club is pretty solid with great pace. They could have scored plenty of goals if it wasn’t for the heroics of Azman in goal. DPMM FC won the match through a Tosi penalty and I’m pretty sure Albirex will want some redemption for that defeat.

I can’t wait for the RT (Roy-Tosi) connection once more and they have 21 goals between team with Tosi leading the scoring charts with 11 goals. It’s also no surprise to why Shahrazen Said has been benched since the first game but it’s a healthy competition nonetheless and this shows the depth that DPMM FC squad has.

So peeps, mark your dates tomorrow and let’s wish for another win and another clean sheet.

I’ve never such a huge smile from Steve Kean. Taken from yesterday’s training.

All players are back to full fitness though Boris Raspudic will sit out of the game through suspension

The tempo of the training has been tremendous. So much improvement from the start of the season.

Can Wardun hold for another clean sheet? DPMM FC have only conceded 5 goals in 11 games. Great defensive record indeed

 

The registration status as of 28th March yesterday at the Energy Week. Today is the final day and let’s hope you can be part of the statistics for opportunities and future reference. The Energy Week 2014 is being held at the BRIDEX Hall.

 

In celebration of the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Grand Motors Sdn Bhd, the exclusive distributor of Kia vehicles in Brunei Darussalam has set an exciting roadshow on 28 – 30 March at Times Square Mall and test drive on 30 March 2014 at Berakas Sports Complex.

Awesome activities are lined-up for all guests to enjoy. There will be a Kia Speed Kicker game wherein the participant will kick the ball into the goal and the speed will be measured and shown on the LED screen. Those who will achieve a high score will get a limited edition FIFA World Cup Mousepad. Guests can also have their picture taken with the 2014 FIFA World Cup Mascot – Fuleco the Armadillo.

Happening tomorrow if you wanna test drive the KIA at the Berakas Sports Complex

I test drove the KIA Cerato Koup and it’s a pretty good car indeed

As a major sponsor of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Kia will organize a nationwide tour from March to May 2014. Kia fans will have the chance to check out their favorite Kia vehicles and even win exclusive FIFA-KIA merchandise. Those who will participate in the test drive on 30 March will be given an original KIA-FIFA World Cup T-shirt and raffle form for an opportunity to win a trip for two to watch the 2014 FIFA World Cup Semi-Finals live in Brazil and other fantastic prizes like Samsung Galaxy Note 3 LTE 4G, Samsung Galaxy S4 Active, Samsung Galaxy Camera and Samsung Galaxy Tab 3. Those who do test drive and/ or purchase any Kia model during the promotion period from 01 March to 31 May will stand a chance to win these prizes.

Kia on Tour 2014 is part of the larger global roadshow project initiated by Kia Motors Corporation in Korea to enable the population in its network of dealers covering countries in the US, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia and the Pacific to see, feel and experience Kia. It is part of Kia’s global commitment to surpass customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation.

Football activities happening at Times Square Shopping Centre organised by KIA Brunei (Grand Motors Sdn Bhd) until Sunday 30th March 2014. Images and below courtesy of Times Square Facebook Page

Check out the KIA models at Times Square Shopping Centre

KIA making waves at Times Square

KIA making waves at Times Square

 

The mascot and the umpires for the night at Bedok Stadium, Singapore

It was a step down performance from DPMM FC after failing to get back to winning ways. The first three games saw DPMM FC earning a full 9 points but only managed to collect one point from the last two games. Despite holding 2nd place in the S•League, it was still a huge improvement as compared to last season.

Before the match, the odds were against Geylang International FC and they were almost at the foot of the table. A big applause to GIFC for holding their defence till the very end as DPMM FC squandered two great chances to gain all the three points. Yuki Ichikawa scored the opening goal in the 17th minute after a Wardun failed to grab an easy catch and the Japanese import from GIFC kick the ball from close range for the shock lead.

Brunei DPMM FC redeemed themselves after a nice set-piece cross from Azwan Salleh who was in for Sairol Sahari who still nursing a knock on his knee from the previous game. Rodrigo Tosi scored from an Azwan delivery free kick to make it 1-1 in the 21st minute. Tosi was disappointed with himself as he had another chance after Azwan Ali had a perfect cross down the left wing but Tosi misconnect the shot which was a goal opportunity.

The first half ended with both sides not creating enough chances but more of challenging high balls in midfield. Roy O’Donovan who was on a cast after a minor surgery on his thumb, was involved but failed to muster a shot in the first half.

The second half was a slightly better affair with a few counter attack moments. However, both sides couldn’t find the net and I also just realised how the pitch was uneven and bumpy as well which made it slightly tricky to play on. Tosi was gifted another chance in the 49th minute after a counter attack and one of the best run of play from DPMM FC but Tosi’s shot ended wide to the delight of the GIFC keeper.

Azwan Ali also had a great chance but his final choice of continuing to dribble instead of taking a shot in the box proved costly. It was already a great play by Roberto who fed Ali with a perfect through pass but Ali had a touch too many in the box and allowed GIFC to close him down in the 53rd minute.

GIFC had chances too in the second half. Hafiz Nor had a driving shot but wide of the post in the 57th minute. Hafiz could have bettered himself in the 71st minute after GIFC’s Ridhuan Muhammad bursted down the right wing and crossed to the unmarked Hafiz but he lost control of the ball and Wardun intercepted the ball to safety.

As the game was heading for a draw, O’Donovan could have sealed all three points as it was the best chance of the whole 90 mins. He only had the keeper to beat but his directed shot from close range was easily read by Joey Sim who had a commanding presence in goal. O’Donovan could have opted to pass the ball to Shahrazen who was also opened but it wasn’t to be DPMM FC’s night. The miss proved costly and both side shared the spoils.

Now DPMM FC have to focus on their next two games at home (6th April and 11th April) and let’s hope they gain full maximum six points to get back to winning ways.

The merchandise for Geylang International FC being sold

DPMM FC’s bench

The supporters that showed up last night

Yuki Ichikawa the scorer for GIFC last night. He was pretty good and kept Azwan Ali and Najib restricted.

The Eagles supporters

Boris hits the bar yet again

The celebration after Tosi’s goal

The pitch was pretty bumpy

Shahrazen had some play time but couldn’t muster a goal attempt. With a few more match time, he will definitely get back to shape.

The miss that could have made the difference. His effort went straight to the keeper on a one on one situation in injury time. It could have been the winning shot.

A selfie with the mascot of Geylang International FC

The crowd last night at Bedok Stadium

The highlights between Geylang International FC and DPMM FC