Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Hj Awg Halbi Hj Mohd Yusof, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, as the guest of honour with senior government officials, the management of AKK Design Publisher and sponsors during the signing ceremony for the DPMM FC MatchDay Magazine of sponsors held at Deli Bites Poolside, Royal Brunei Recreation Club recently

Sazali Mohd Ariff, Chief Executive of AKK Design, in his welcoming remarks. Image courtesy of Sazali’s IG.

In a memorable ceremony with a themed poolside ambience, the publisher of DPMM FC MatchDay Magazine, AKK Design, held a signing ceremony with their partners and supporters for the 2016 Singapore League (S-League) season.

The event was held at the Royal Brunei Recreation Club (RBRC) in Berakas, and the guest of honour was the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Hj Awg Halbi Hj Mohd Yusof, who also witnessed the signings.

In a light hearted moment during the event, emcee Jenny Malai Ali introduced one by one members of Brunei DPMM FC’s 2016 squad, which included 3 members from the U19 squad.

The MOU signing was held on a special stage erected across the swimming pool. Representing AKK Design was chief executive Sazali Mohd Ariff, and was witnessed by chief marketing officer Pg HMN Ariffin Pg Omar.

Signing on as a premium partner, Baiduri Bank was represented by chief executive officer (CEO) Pierre Imhof and witnessed by Pg Azaleen Pg Dato Hj Mustapha, head of retail banking and branch network division.

Cityneon Displays and Construction Sdn Bhd signed on as the gold partner and was represented by their managing director Dato Jack Ting and witnessed by Hj Kadir Hj Hidup, head of designer.

Both Nazmi Textile Mall and Progresif Cellular Sdn Bhd signed on as silver partners while Royal Brunei Airlines signed on as the airline partner. Media partners included Kristal FM and Mix Mediaworx (Mixel) and printing partner Brunei Press Sdn Bhd.

Also in attendance were representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, The Prime Minister’s Office, members of the NFABD and members of the media.

Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) is their airline partner

Guest of honour with Vice Chairman of RB

Sairol of DPMM FC being interviewed by Jenny Malai Ali

 

Alberix Niigata vs DPMM FC highlights

Adi Said back in scoring form and scored the vital goal. Image courtesy of Halim Hakim of S•League

Report by Redzwan Kamarudin from Singapore: They have one hand on the Great-Eastern Yeo’s S.League trophy, and only need one more win to lift it.

Brunei DPMM are only one win away from becoming S.League champions after they defeated Albirex Nigata 1-0 at the Jurong East Stadium last night.

Adi Said’s header just after the hour mark, his seventh goal this season, proved to be the only difference as DPMM fought hard and snapped their five games winless streak.

The result means that a win from their showdown against defending champions Tampines Rovers this Friday at the Jalan Besar Stadium will see the Bruneian outfit be declared champions.

Speaking after the match, DPMM head coach Steve Kean said: “It feels great to be back in control. I don’t think we’ve been playing badly recently, but we just haven’t been ruthless.

“We haven’t been getting clean sheets, and I’ve been giving my defenders a hard time because of it. They’re paid to defend, and we haven’t had any clean sheets.

“But tonight they threw their bodies on the line and I’m so proud of them, and I expect the same from the team on Friday.”

The first team line up from DPMM FC last night. Image courtesy of Halim Hakim of S•League

Azwan Salleh taking the captain role for DPMM FC last night. Image courtesy of Halim Hakim of S•League

Roy O’Donovan arguing with the referee last night. Image courtesy of Halim Hakim of S•League

DPMM will also become only the second foreign team to win the league, after French outfit Etoile FC who were the winners in the 2010 season.

Kean’s men came into the match on the back of a draw with Balestier Khalsa (1-1), a loss against fellow title contenders Warriors FC (3-2), Home United (3-4) in the RHB Singapore Cup semi final, and nothing but a win would keep their title hopes alive and in their own hands.

Tampines and DPMM have met twice this season, with the Stags defeating their Bruneian counterparts 2-1 on both occasions. Yet Kean remains unfazed.

He said: “I don’t pay much attention to past games. When it’s the last game of the season, anything goes.

“We always want to create chances, no matter what kind of formation we’ll play. And against Tampines we don’t want to just hang on and play their kind of game, but we want to take the game right to them and score the goals.”

Roy O’Donovan shown the red card in the dying minutes. Image courtesy of Halim Hakim of S•League

DPMM FC head coach Steve Kean talking to the press. Image courtesy of Halim Hakim of S•League

Beating the defending champions is already a tall order, but DPMM’s task isn’t made easier after marquee signing Roy O’Donovan was sent off late into injury time for a disagreement with a referee.

The suspension means that the Irish hitman won’t be available for the crucial match against Tampines, and they will have to rely on the league’s top scorer Rodrigo Tosi (30 goals) to lead them up front.

DPMM and Warriors are both locked on 50 points atop the league table with Kean’s men leading just by goal difference (34 to DPMM, 17 to Warriors).

Even if DPMM fail to beat Tampines this Friday, they can still lift the title providing Albirex beat Warriors at Chua Chu Kang Stadium.

Kean though, isn’t expecting any favours at all from his counterparts.

He said: “We’re still in control of our own destiny.

“We’ve been working hard for the past 11 months. We want to show how much we’ve improved, and we’re going to go all out for a win.”

 

FREE ADMISSION tonight

The final tier round hasn’t been smooth sailing for DPMM FC. Having a six point cushion at one stage and losing two home games, DPMM FC have themselves to blame for the major slip but they can bounce back and make their final home match count against Balestier Khalsa FC tonight at the Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium.

The back-to-back home defeats have piled pressure on DPMM FC and the two week break was much needed for DPMM FC to get back on the drawing board and learn from their mistakes. I do hope that the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup qualifiers won’t have a draining impact on the players as most of the DPMM FC players were being featured for the qualifiers and they only have two days rest before continuing the S•League match.

DPMM FC head coach Steve Kean felt that it won’t be a disadvantage for DPMM FC players (after returning from a taxing AFF Suzuki Cup qualifiers) who will go up against a crucial tie against Balestier Khalsa in the remaining fixtures of the S•League. He shared that most of the young players were being featured and it shouldn’t be a problem especially to the senior players when they play tonight at the Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium.

The only player that might be doubtful is Shahrazen Said who nursing a slight hamstring strain but Kean is happy to have Rodrigo Tosi returned after serving his suspension which will give more attacking options for DPMM FC. The imports have been training on their own when the local players were in the AFF competition.

Kean felt that the points on board more important and if DPMM FC can win all their remaining fixtures, the S•League title will be DPMM FC’s first. Currently Warriors FC are leading by four points though DPMM FC have two games in hand. Hence it’s vital that DPMM FC get all three points tonight and put pressure on title contenders Warriors FC.

It’s sad news for Tampines Rovers as their title defence came to an end two nights ago when they lost to Warriors FC. The result meant that there will be a new champion in the S•League and it will be a two horse race between Warriors FC and DPMM FC. Albirex Niigata FC (S) still have a mathematical chance of winning unless Warriors lose their last game of the season.

Do catch DPMM FC tonight against Balestier Khalsa FC and the match entrance is FREE. Do spread the news.

Steve Kean being interviewed by the press

A customary part of training to work as a team

The standing so far

 

DPMM FC still leading by two points

What a strange result to begin with! DPMM FC had home soil advantage against Warriors FC and with the 12th man (the supporters and the crowd) and yet they were struggling against the visitors. DPMM FC had a healthy lead of five points but now it has been cut short to two points.

DPMM FC now have lost twice at home in a row. Last night was indeed a surprising and disappointing effort from the home team. The crosses and the long balls became their desperate tactics to chase the game but the Warriors keeper was always the first to spoil the attacking threat from DPMM FC in the final 15 minutes of the match.

We have learnt something from the match and that is DPMM FC’s main weakness is set pieces. The previous game was also influenced by set pieces and last night’s match was no different. The final two goals from Warriors were from free kick and it was 3-1 to Warriors with 30 minutes left.

However, it was the visitors who were more composed and managed to apply more pressure whenever DPMM FC was in possession of the ball. DPMM FC surely missed the presence of the scoring talisman Rodrigo Tosi who missed the game through suspension.

DPMM FC coach Steve Kean thought the two free kick decisions were dubious to begin with and DPMM FC were good for the first 35 minutes before the visitors slowly built their momentum and punished DPMM FC with their set pieces.

Now with the international break due to Brunei’s participation in the AFC qualifiers, it’s back to the drawing board for DPMM FC as they have two weeks to prepare before their next home game against Singapore Cup finalists Balestier on 25th October. It is not known yet if the upcoming match will have a free entrance as before.

Last night’s crowd didn’t reach the heights of 10,000 spectators but it was still a sizable presence. Thank you to the DPMM FC management for making it possible last night. It was just unfortunate that the results didn’t go in DPMM FC’s favour.

DPMM FC’s long ball tactics was well read by the Warriors FC’s keeper

It was good to see Shahrazen back on the scoring sheet

Steve Kean was pretty animated in the last 10 minutes of the match

 

Thank you, DPMM FC

The bigger, the better. Yess, we need all the support we can get for the next crucial DPMM FC match. They will take on Warriors FC on Tuesday evening and should DPMM FC win that match, they will have an 8 point gap advantage over Warriors FC and also restore their five point gap over their closest rivals. Actually should DPMM FC win their next two games, it will be virtually DPMM FC’s championship in the S•League. But let’s not go far ahead just for now. I remember Liverpool who had a comfortable lead last season only to falter in the last few matches to allow Manchester City to come back from behind to clinch the title.

I would agree also on Ali Hj Momin’s sentiment that sometimes it’s better to chase the game than to be ahead. Another great example was when DPMM FC had a two goal cushion lead in the second leg of the semi-finals of the Singapore Cup but blew their lead away eventually. Though DPMM FC, have a healthy lead in the S•League, anything can happen. Hence it’s important for DPMM FC to get all the support they can get from their supporters and friends.

It was announced that the upcoming match will be FREEEEEEEE…. Yes, FREEEEE!!! So there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be part of the thousands of fans at the Hassanal Bolkiah Stadum this Tuesday evening as you guys will be their 12th man on the pitch. It does make a difference to have a huge support from the crowd and this was evident during the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy and that stage Brunei U-21 was so close in reaching the semi-finals.

The DPMM FC team manager hopes that there will be at least 10,000 supporters. The usual average crowd in DPMM FC matches are around 3,000 people but lately the support has been slightly waning. So this is a good gesture by DPMM FC management team and this is also good for the organiser as well.

The tickets will be issued at the two gates of the usual entrance for DPMM FC matches. The tickets are only available at the gates and you will get them once you enter and this is for attendance purposes. The tickets issued will be of no charge at all. There won’t be any luck draws for this particular match. I believe you can start queueing after Maghrib prayers.

All the best DPMM FC and yes, we are just a few steps away from claiming the first S•League title.

 

There were 7 minutes away from reaching their first finals of the Singapore RHB Cup last week but like they also say the ball is always round and anything can happen.

DPMM FC were 3-1 up on aggregate earlier by the first 45 minutes before Home United staged a miracle and dumped DPMM FC out of the tournament. Roy O’Donovan and Rodrigo Tosi have given DPMM FC the luxury of a two goal cushion but Sirina Camara scored a crucial goal before half time and it went down hill after the break.

DPMM FC ended losing 4-3 on aggregate after coming off in a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

“I got to agree that it is very disappointing but in every game you got to learn from it and most of the players have never been in this situation before, the semi-final of this cup, but I told my players that we have done so well in the league and we need to bounce back against the Warriors,” said Steve Kean, DPMM FC head coach, in the post-match conference last week.

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“When we were defending high against the quick players, (especially) when we dropped back, what happened in front was the midfielders started to track all the players but the back four drops and they (Home United) got players like Lee (Lee Kwan Woo) and Qiu (Qiu Li) who have the abilities to open up the game when they have the space. They did not have that space in the first-half,” he said.

Tosi challenges the ball in their 3-2 defeat against Home United last week in the Singapore Cup. Image courtesy of S•League

DPMM FC’s Azwan Ali in action last week in the 2nd leg of the semi-finals of the Singapore Cup. Image courtesy of S•League.

Back in the S•League matches, Balestier Khalsa’s Goran Ljubojevic scored a penalty for the crucial victory. DPMM FC still hold a 5 point cushion lead from last night’s result between Balestier Khalsa and Home United. Image courtesy of S•League.

It was a relief that Warriors FC failed to gain any points last night against the resurgent Balestier Khalsa FC who scored a late penalty through Goran Ljubojevic. This means that DPMM FC lead (46 points) maintains by 5 points over next rivals Warriors FC, Albirex Niigata FC and Home United (41 points). Tonight Home United or Tampines Rovers FC have the chance to close the gap for any chance to catch up with DPMM FC. A draw won’t do them any favour indeed.

DPMM FC will take on Warriors FC at Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium next Tuesday. Let’s hope for a much needed home win and with four games remaining, it’s DPMM FC’s title to lose now.

In other news, DPMM FC has a new ambassador for the isotonic drink YOU•C1000 and he will be featured in advertorials for the said product. Recently there was handover of the poster from Katherine Hii whose company distributes YOU*C1000 isotonic drink to DPMM FC full back Sairol Sahari

 

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

 

Tosi scoring the winner in the 90th minute through a penalty. Image courtesy of S•League

Rodrigo Tosi converted a penalty four minutes into injury time to claim all three points for the Brunei side.

The Brazilian bagged a brace for DPMM FC in the victory, bringing his tally to a league-leading 20 goals, one up on Kazuki Sakamoto of Albirex Niigata (S) FC.

The triumph puts DPMM FC on 46 points from 22 matches, followed by Warriors FC with 41 points.

According to updates on the S-League facebook page, Tanjong Pagar took the lead in the 22nd minute after Kamel Ramdadi fired the ball into the bottom corner at the Queenstown Stadium in Singapore. Roy O’Donovan was brought down in the penalty box four minutes later but the offence was waved off by the referee.

DPMM FC almost equalised in the 33rd minute but Tanjong Pagar goalkeeper Aurelien Herisson managed to tipped the ball over the bar.

O’Donovan was taken off at halftime to make way for Shahrazen Said.

DPMM FC were putting plenty of pressure on offence but Herisson replied with impressive saves.

Brunei’s only professional team finally equalised in the 61st minute after Tosi rose the highest to head home a corner.

Adi Said almost gave DPMM FC the lead five minutes later but saw his header go over the crossbar.

Herrison was kept busy and once again came to the rescue of Tanjong Pagar in the 86th minute but he ultimately failed to keep his team level in the dying moments of the match. The other game saw Harimau Muda B (Malaysia national under-21 football team) steal a 1-1 draw against Woodlands Wellington FC at the Woodlands Stadium in Singapore. Andy Ahmad broke the deadlock for Woodlands in the 54th minute after tapping in the ball.

It looked like they were heading home with all three points before Syafwan Sahlan netted for Harimau Muda in the 88th minute.

The competition continues on Tuesday with Hougang United FC hosting Harimau Muda at the Hougang Stadium in Singapore. Hougang United are on 33 points and require only a point out of the match to be in the top half heading into the split round. Balestier Khalsa FC, who are on 30 points but with a better goal difference, will need the Malaysians to win to keep their hopes alive. They will also need to beat Harimau Muda at the Pasir Gudang Stadium in Johor on Friday to seal their berth.

Three-time defending champions Tampines Rovers, Warriors FC, Home United FC and Albirex Niigata (S) FC are all joining DPMM FC in the top half for the next round. Text courtesy of Yee Chun Leong of The Brunei Times.

The highlights between Tanjong Pagar United FC and DPMM FC. The video quality is poor by the way.

DPMM FC management and players with IGS management and teachers during DPMM FC’s visit to IGS College last Thursday

Steve Kean, head coach of DPMM FC

Highlights of DPMM FC vs Woodlands Wellington FC

All they needed was three points. A two or three goal victory would have suffice. I didn’t expect DPMM FC to steamroll pass Woodlands Wellington with such ease. I’m not too sure if this is the biggest score line for DPMM FC or the S•League this season as they humiliated the visitors with a 8-1 score line last Tuesday.

The result meant that DPMM FC are confirmed to be playing in the 3rd round of the S•League which I still think is kinda of a weird format. They could have just let it be for two rounds (home and away) like any other league. So regardless whether DPMM FC top the league, it doesn’t mean that they won the championship. They will still have to face the top clubs in the third round to determine the champions of the S•League.

Adi Said was again on the score sheet as he grabbed a brace. That makes it 5 goals as in many games for Adi Said and it was good to see Steve Kean fielding all top forwards – Roy O’Donovan, Rodrigo Tosi and Adi Said. They all scored five goals among them and now Tosi has leading the scoring charts with Albirex Niigata’s Kazuki Sakamoto.

Now DPMM FC have one match remaining this Saturday as they take on Tanjong Pagar in Singapore. Regardless of the outcome for the last match of the second round, DPMM FC will remain in the summit of the S•League which accounts for nothing as the top six teams will be vying for the championship.

Steve Kean shared that DPMM FC were quite ruthless upfront and it’s a message to the rest of the title contenders. He was happy with the goals and it could have been more if it wasn’t for the heroics of Woodlands’ Ahmadulhaq (in goal). However, Kean was slightly disappointed that DPMM FC didn’t walk away with a clean sheet. He also praised that back line as they played as a unit compared to previous matches.

Will DPMM FC carry their momentum this Saturday against Tanjong Pagar in Singapore? We shall wait and see. Images courtesy of Sapyri.

Adi Said scored twice last Tuesday. Will he ever stop scoring?

It was nice to see DPMM FC striking a Yasmine pose after scoring a goal

Another Yasmine pose during the goal celebration

Boris scoring from a corner. It’s nice to see goals coming from different players.

The fans that turned up last Tuesday and it wasn’t such a big turn out after the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy event

Roy O’Donovan was back from suspension and scored twice