Two out of two. DPMM FC have definitely improved from their previous season in terms of results in having consecutive victories though it’s still early days. Steve Kean’s influence on DPMM FC is gradually showing dividends. Last night, DPMM FC scored a deserved victory against Warriors FC 2-0 after a much improvement display in the second half. Tosi Rodrigo and Rosmin Kamis (Bobby) scored the goals while new signing Roy O’Donovan was denying two scoring opportunities, one being ruled offside.

It was also DPMM FC’s first home game in the S•League but a forgettable first half performance. The home side lacked the final third in attack and played “too direct” football with long predicted passes which the visitors had less trouble to deal with. Ironically the best chance went to the Warriors as striker Nicholas Velez’s unmarked header went straight to Wardun Yussof in a point blank save. Both Miroslavic Pejic and Velez were a constant threat but both central defenders, Shahrul and Boris Raspudic, were excellent in defence, tackling with precision, blocking scoring opportunities and dominating in the air.

The second half was a much different affair. DPMM FC looked hungrier than the two and it was no surprise the home team scored the opening goal through Tosi in the 49th minute. He benefited from a deflection as his shot dipped in, catching the Warriors keeper off guard.

After the goal, DPMM FC piled in more pressure. Subhi Abdillah, Joe Gamble and Roberto Alviz were combining well at the right hand side and most of the attacks came from that area. DPMM FC’s marquee signing player Roy O’Donovan was preferred to their regular scorer Shahrazen Said and he had two scoring opportunities. One was ruled offside which the linesman didn’t give the benefit of the doubt as it looked onside by the spectator’s angle. The other was a penalty claim where O’Donovan was allegedly foul by Warriors Shi Jiayi in the box but the appeal fell on deaf ears.

“Bobby” and Boris could have extended the lead. In the 62nd minute, Captain “Bobby” volleyed a perfect cross from Subhi but his effort went wide. The Croatian defender headed a Bobby corner just above the bar in the 75th minute. Just before added time, “Bobby” scored a late cushion goal as he shot his own rebound effort off the post to the relief of the DPMM FC fans.

Boris Raspudic of DPMM FC was dominant at the back and Steve Kean chose him as his Man of the Match for last night’s 2-0 win over Warriors FC

The win put Brunei DPMM FC on the summit of the S•League table after two games. They are the only team with a 100% record and yet to concede a goal. The other team also in contention is Tampines Rovers FC who will play their second game tonight against Courts Young Lions.

DPMM FC’s Steve Kean spoke to the media after the match and he highlighted about the issue of “trust” within his team. “At half-time, I told them they had to trust each other a little more with the ball. Courage doesn’t always mean headers or tackles, it is also passing the ball to your team mate and trusting him,” said Kean.

“In the heat of the game they were just hitting the ball up the pitch – and that’s not something we do during training,” added Kean.

When asked about the rotation of the roster, Kean said that there will be times the players won’t be having a good game or they might get tired and the bench will get more opportunities. The players still need to get to know each other on the pitch and there is no other way to get to know each other other than playing minutes. “I’m still sticking to this team for now,” said Kean, “But doesn’t mean that I won’t change anyone at all and we have exceptional back up, a very strong bench.”

Prolific striker Shahrazen Said has yet to earn any minutes in playing time for DPMM FC. Fans are hoping to see him in action in future matches.

DPMM FC next match will be against Home United FC at Jalan Besar Stadium on 13th March 2014. I won’t be surprise to see a lot of Brunei supporters there since it’s the school holidays. The next home game for DPMM FC will be on the 23rd March against Tampines Rovers which will be another tough game as they are the defending champions of the S•League.

For now, DPMM FC’s confidence in the dressing room is high after grabbing two wins out of two and setting the pace in the new season of the S•League.

This is a great moment shot after Bobby scored the second goal in the dying minutes to make it 2-0. Image courtesy of S•League website.

DPMM FC vs Warriors FC last night

Subhi defending against the Warriors

Shahrul was dominant in defence

The ball boy had to rearrange the billboard

Fans of DPMM FC last night

Sairol being consoled by Pejic of Warriors after the challenge

The challenge

A foul wasn’t given but a corner kick instead

Before the match at the dressing room

Roy Donovan played better in this match and unlucky not to have scored on two occasions

Steve Kean shared that “trust” was missing from the first half and it was a turn around after the second half