DPMM FC in action against Home United at the Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium. Image courtesy of Ridhwan Kamarulzaman of The Brunei Times.

It didn’t go as planned. DPMM FC couldn’t convert their impressive training performance to a competitive match against Home United last Wednesday and they paid dearly for their miss chances. Home United scored two late goals to sink DPMM FC to their first defeat in the 3rd round of the S•League competition.

However, it was Rodrigo Tosi who drew first blood as he tapped in from close range, off an Azwan Salleh cross down the left in the 76th minute. The lead didn’t last long as the visitors scored three minutes later through a corner kick. The winner came in the 88th minute and it was a little too late for DPMM FC to salvage at least a point.

DPMM FC were better in the second half despite the defeat but it was the two identical goals they conceded cheaply that made the difference. DPMM FC could have scored more goals but hats off to the defence of Home United for holding DPMM FC at bay. Even the keeper of Home United had one or two crucial saves and that made a difference.

DPMM FC still lead the league but their gap can be trimmed down to two points if Warriors FC win their next game (1st October). DPMM FC have two more home games to redeem themselves and it could be the most crucial games to date before their final two matches which will be played in Singapore. It was a bit disappointed to see a low turnout at the Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium.

 

Steve Kean is confident that DPMM FC will get all three points as the players are raring to play after a mini-break in the S•League competition. DPMM FC had dropped a few important points at home previously but managed to grab other points and have a five point gap in the league. Kean was not surprised that the other contenders were also dropping points in the last few games as they could have overtaken the lead from DPMM FC.

Kean was very happy with how the lads have shown on the training pitch and he shared how the performance of both the first and the second team wasn’t much of a difference compared to the beginning of the season. The squad’s depth is stronger than before and this will give better options for the coach during the match.

He did show a slight concern that the lack of match practice might affect the momentum but it did give the coach plenty of time to work of tactics and fitness during the mini-break. Furthermore, Roy O’Donovan is still nursing a slight hamstring injury but he should be featured in tomorrow’s match.

The key player here will be Adi Said who have been in scoring form in the past few games for DPMM FC. But will the mini-break slow down his momentum? His presence had added more dimension in DPMM FC’s attack especially with Rodrigo Tosi and Roy O’Donovan upfront.

So peeps, do catch DPMM FC tomorrow against Home United at the Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium.

DPMM FC players in training session yesterday at Jerudong Mini Stadium

It was good to see all the players hungry for action during training

Steve Kean shared that the difference between the first and the second team’s performance is getting smaller which is great for the squad

Shooting practice session

Steve Kean is so eager for the match tomorrow against Home United FC

The fixtures for DPMM FC to determine which team will lift the S•League trophy