DPMM FC set the benchmark  

 

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 

  

 

DPMM FC vs Woodlands  

Let’s not take the lead for granted. DPMM FC can increase the gap to four points should they bag all three points tonight against Woodlands Wellington. So far the visitors are ranked 10th in the 12 team league and on paper, DPMM FC must grab all three points.

There are only two more games left before they proceed to the third round. So it’s best that they avoid any slip ups and end of a high positive note in the second round of the S•League.

Tampines Rovers FC had the chance to overtake DPMM FC last night but only managed a 2-2 draw against Albirex Niigata FC. DPMM FC won’t be taking Woodlands very lightly.

Steve Kean shared that the team has been training vey hard and hope they won’t be any individual errors.

It’s good to know that Roy O’Donovan and captain Rosmin Kamis will be back from suspension though Joe Gamble will be missing due to suspense.

Adi Said who has been on hot scoring form will start again and he has been scoring for DPMM FC for the last three matches.

So do catch DPMM FC vs Woodlands Wellington FC tonight at the Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium. For your info, the grandstand seating area will not be available and all the tickets will be sold for $5.

DPMM FC training yesterday at Jerudong Mini Stadium. Image courtesy of The Brunei Times.

 

Another stalemate  

The first team line-up for DPMM FC against Balestier Khalsa FC last night
BALESTIER KHALSA FC 3 (Kim Min Ho 3, Goran Ljubojevic 21, 70)

BRUNEI DPMM FC 3 (Adi Said 50, Rodrigo Tosi 65, 73)

Report by REDZWAN KAMARUDIN (Correspondent for rano360.com)

DPMM FC returned to action by coming back from two goals down to snatch a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Balestier Khalsa at the Toa Payoh Stadium last night.

The league leaders were clearly missing their captain Rosmin Kamis and marquee signing Roy O’Donovan through suspensions, as the team clearly lacked the hunger and bite in front of goal.
After the match, head coach Steve Kean said he was impressed by how hard his team fought to come back from behind, but admitted his defense could have done better.

He said, “We put too much pressure on ourselves, if we have to score four goals away from home, that’s not good.

“We were slow in the first half, and we conceded poor goals. The back four were quiet and we let ourselves get bullied in the air and in the box.

“When you miss your most experienced player like Bobby it’s difficult because you look to him for guidance and we really missed him tonight.

“We normally score goals, but we’ve got to stop leaking the goals. We’ll need to work on our defensive showing for the future games.”

The Tigers were up 2-0 at half time courtesy of goals from Kim Min Ho and Goran Ljubojevic, but like they’ve done so many times before, they stormed in the second half, and managed to score three goals.

Right after the second half whistle, DPMM came out of the blocks with all guns blazing, with Adi Said, who replaced Awangku Fakhrulrazi at half time, opened the scoring in the 47th minute and Rodrigo Tosi’s looping header in the 65th minute leveled the scores. For Adi, he has bagged 8 goals in 6 games where the last five matches were from his heroic performances in the recent Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy 2014 tournament.

Ljubojevic thought he had sealed all three points for his side after scoring Balestier’s third goal in the 70th minute, but Tosi again denied the home side as he rifled in his second goal of the night, and DPMM’s equalizer just three minutes later.

It was a pity that the game ended with a sending off of Syed Taha of Balestier and Joe Gamble of DPMM FC. This would mean a suspension for Joe Gamble in the next game.

While the result strengthened DPMM’s lead atop the Great-Eastern Yeo’s S.League with 40 points, title rivals and defending champions Tampines Rovers are only two points behind and have a game in hand. They could take over Steve Kean’s charges if they beat Tanjong Pagar tonight.

“I’m pleased that we changed our game from the very first minute of the second half. We could have won the game, but we need to improve our defending. We need to get those clean sheets again.” Kean added.

Photos taken by Alfie Lee of S•League.

 

Balestier keeper in action 

A six goal thriller between Balestier and DPMM FC 

Rodrigo Tosi, once again, proving to be a threat upfront for DPMM FC

 

DPMM FC squandered points at home  

 It wasn’t a big turnout last night at the Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium. Maybe the Raya festive season is not over yet.Adi Said was the star of the night but it was Hougang United FC who stole a point with a late equalizer. This can become a familiarity area for DPMM FC to give away points in the dying minutes. Previously Tampines Rovers FC scored in the dying seconds to change the course of the game. Last night was no different. Hougang United FC are one tough cookie and they celebrated the draw as if they won the match.

If DPMM FC just disciplined themselves late in the game to hold the game, it would have been a great three point effort match especially coming back from behind and furthermore, they played at their home. In the dying minutes, Geison Moura broke the hearts of DPMM FC as he scored the equalizer right after a great throw-in effort by the visitors. The match ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw but the first half was kinda forgettable indeed. DPMM FC were toothless upfront and they didn’t look as hungry as they were during the training I observed a couple of days ago.

After the break, Hougang United FC drew first blood through Nurhilmi Jasni in the 53rd minute, right off a counter attack and caught DPMM FC’s defence napping. It was definitely a wake up call for DPMM FC after the visitors scored. Before the goal, DPMM FC looked more dangerous in attack and they could have broke the deadlock earlier on. Roberto’s close range shot drove over the bar in the 51st minute and that miss proved costly as the visitors scored immediately from a run of play.

DPMM FC’s Maudadi had a great performance on the field in the first half before being replaced by the star of the evening, Adi Said who scored a brace. In the 75th minute, Adi Said benefited from a corner as his header went past the keeper with ease in the 75th minute. However, it was his second goal that was a piece of magic. He collected a pass of his teammate and he made a rasping drive past the keeper from a diagonal angle. As you know, he was not certain to play for DPMM FC as he is listed for the upcoming Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy. It was good that he was made available for this game and that made a lot of difference when both Donovan and Rodrigo couldn’t find the net.

Rodrigo could have made it 3-1 late in the game. It could be even contender for goal of the season. He flicked an incoming pass with the side of his boots and then volleyed a dipping shot from 30 yards that rattled the bar to the relieve of Hougang’s keeper. Even I couldn’t believe that wasn’t a goal. That would have put the game in the bag with a valuable three points for the home side.

Shahrazen also had one or two efforts that would add more cushion on the lead. In the end, Geison Moura’s goal overshadowed Adi Said’s heroics as a super sub and DPMM FC had to settle for a point.

The result meant that DPMM FC are now one point ahead of Tampines Rovers FC in the S•League. With three games left in the second round, DPMM FC must focus on their training as they have a three week break before the league commence.

 

Roy O’Donovan was just unlucky not to get a goal or two 

Adi Said scored two goals but wasn’t enough to steal all three points 

A minor scuffle that could have gone bad 

 

 

DPMM FC gets warm reception 

 

Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Hamid Hj Mohd Jaafar (pic) , the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, and representatives from NFABD and senior officers of MCYS welcomed the champions of the Singapore League Cup 2014 DPMM FC at the Brunei International Airport. Click image to enlarge.

DPMM FC in high mode

The Hadrah boys welcoming the DPMM FC players upon arrival

The proud players of DPMM FC and well deserved for the trophy

Captain Rosmin “Bobby” Kamis taking photo with a fan

Blessing the arrival with a doa selamat

Roberto Alviz’ son eager to see his dad

Mingling time with the players

Boris Raspudic has scored two goals for DPMM FC but he said he preferred to score on the big stage and he did when he scored the opening goal against Tanjong Pagar United FC in the finals of the Singapore League Cup. Brunei won 2-0 to lift the cup for the third time.
 

 

Title number 3  

The first eleven of DPMM FC

DPMM FC are on a roll. Even during Ramadhan, they were still able to perform to their best and that shows a lot about the mental strength and the physical aspect of DPMM FC players and being on the road for almost two weeks is not an easy feat for the players. It takes a lot of focus and being present and achieve their goal step-by-step. What more can you ask for and a big shout out to Steve Kean who slowly build up the team from Day 1 (pre-season training) and you can see how much they have improved immensely over the course of the period.

Last night DPMM FC made it history for winning a hat-trick of Singapore League Cup. Tanjong Pagar United FC were considered the underdogs as they were up against two-time champions then DPMM FC and furthermore, DPMM FC also have a psychological advantage as they beat Tanjong Pagar 4-0 back in May at Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium in the S•League matches.

However, last night was a different matter as it was a winner-takes-it-all match. I knew DPMM FC will have the edge due to their experience factor and their on-going momentum heading into the finals. DPMM FC were on the verge of defeat as their semi-final match was stretched to a penalty shoot-out but Wardun Yussof became the hero with two crucial saves.

In the final match, DPMM FC opened the scoring through a Boris header off a corner in the 35th minute. Tanjong Pagar United FC did have their chances but were wasteful upfront. After the break, Adi Said who deputized for the suspended Rodrigo Tosi made it 2-0 for DPMM FC in the 47th minute. Tanjong Pagar have themselves to blame for not converting their chances and it could be the nerves that got the better of them.

Kudos to the DPMM FC players and also the management and the people involved in guiding the club to greater heights. Let’s not forget the 12th man of DPMM FC and that is the fans of DPMM FC. They do make a difference in bringing up the morale of the players and thank you for believing in them too.

DPMM FC will be touching down later today in the afternoon at 2:15pm and you all are more than welcome to greet them at the Brunei International Airport later and celebrate their success. Images taken by Alson Ong of S•League

 

Adi Said repaid his faith from Steve Kean and scored a goal 

Adi Said showed his athletic skill as he avoided a tackle  

Boris Raspudic was in fine form, for scoring and holding a clean sheet in defence 

A close effort by Tanjong Pagar United FC but they found it hard to break the walls of DPMM FC 

Reliable Captain Rosmin “Bobby” Kamis led the team with his great leadership presence 

Azwan Salleh attempting to block a cross 

Roy O’Donovan had a superb campaign in this tournament 

A big hand to the runners-up of the tournament 

DPMM FC – Singapore League Cup champions 2014 

Wardun Yussof’s a happy man 

Now let’s take a selfie 

Steve Kean has turned DPMM FC players around from last season’s failure into a success 

The DPMM FC fans last night at Jalan Besar Stadium 

 

The highlights of the final of Singapore League Cup between DPMM FC and Tanjong Pagar United FC

 

 

DPMM FC in semis  

The first team line up from DPMM FC

Woohoo.. I salute DPMM FC for their resilience. They are back in business. Few weeks ago, they suffered a minor slip which allowed other teams to play catch in the S•League. However, now they are on a roll. They are still on the summit in the S•League and now they are in the semi-finals of the S•League Cup after beating Woodlands Wellington 3-1.

Why I said resilient is because they came back from behind with 10 minutes left. Once again, prolific scorer Rodrigo Tosi scored twice, once the equalizer and the winning goal late in the game. DPMM FC were already on the verge of elimination and scoring away from home is a big ask especially with limited time left. DPMM FC finished off the job with substitute Adi Said adding the third goal in injury time.

DPMM FC head coach Steve Kean praised both Tosi and Alviz for their performance two nights ago.

“Once we scored our first goal, we wanted to get it finished before extra time, and thankfully we did. They had their two strikers very wide upfront and that caused us some problems in defence,” said Steve Kean, who was slightly disappointed with his club after allowing Chang Jo Yoon to score in the 56th minute to break the deadlock.

Now DPMM FC will play Geylang International FC in the semi-finals which will be a tough one. Why? Because DPMM FC drew with Geylang International FC twice (home and away) with a 1-1 score line earlier in the S*League competition. Now this is a different ball game as winner takes all to go into the finals as the winner of this tie will meet either Tanjong Pagar United FC or Hougang United FC in the finals.

Good luck, DPMM FC, and it’s never easy for them especially those who are fasting during the month of Ramadhan. You can read more of the stories here and here.

Image courtesy of Haiqal.

Woodlands Wellington scored first before going down to DPMM FC 

Tosi scored twice with the help of Alviz  

DPMM FC in action against Woodlands Wellington

Highlights of the match between DPMM FC and Woodsland Wellington

  

 

DPMM FC maintain lead  

Ak Fakharazzi Pg Hassan scored a brace in DPMM FC 4-1 win over Harimau Muda. Image courtesy of Alson Ong of S•League

DPMM FC extended their lead at the top of the Singapore League (S-League) to five points after triumphing 4-1 over 10-man Harimau Muda II (Malaysian national Under-21 football team) last Sunday. Brunei’s only professional team continue to lead the 12-team table and are now on 38 points from 18 games.

Ak Fakharazzi Pg Hassan, who was given his first start and only his second appearance for DPMM FC this season, notched a brace in the win at the Pasir Gudang Stadium in Johor, Malaysia. The midfielder gave the visitors the best of starts after finding the back of the net as early as the 10th minute.The lead was doubled after Rodrigo Tosi netted his 16th of the season from the penalty spot five minutes later.

Ak Fakhrazzi made it 3-0 just three minutes after the interval and Irish striker Roy O’Donovan made it nine straight goals for DPMM FC – dating back to their first meeting of the year – without reply against the Malaysian basement dwellers. Akhir Bahari scored a consolation goal for Harimau Muda in the 73rd minute and a red card for Nurshamil Abd Ghani four minutes later summed up the outing for the hosts. Tosi’s strike puts him at 16 goals for the season, his goal leaving him level with Albirex Niigata (S) FC’s Kazuki Sakamoto as the league’s joint top scorers.

DPMM FC will now shift their focus to the Singapore Cup where they will face Albirex in the quarter-finals on Sunday. Text by Yee Chun Leong of The Brunei Times.

Alviz in action against Harimau Muda. Image courtesy of Alson Ong of S•League 

Rodrigo scored from a penalty. Image courtesy of Alson Ong of S•League 

The table so far 

  

 

Geylang robbed a point 

 

The highlights between DPMM FC and Geylang International FC

What a great run by Geylang International FC! They have beat Tampines Rovers and drew against Harimau Muda before gaining a much needed point against DPMM FC at Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium. Their run have improved gradually and it wasn’t an easy feat to get points of DPMM FC’s home turf and Geylang International FC managed to do it.

DPMM FC were heading into this match with a 3 losing streak in the S•League and the head coach Steve Kean wanted to turn things around. However, DPMM FC had to settle for a goalless draw instead. It could have been all three points for the home side if it wasn’t for the three goal bound efforts that hit the post in the second half.

Geylang International FC keeper Siddiq Durimi was in top form to deny Roy O’Donovan and Roberto Alviz late in the first half. However, the visitors was a much better side in the first half as they dominated possession and proved more hungrier of the two sides. The home side lacked conviction and the partnership of Hendra and captain Bobby in midfield couldn’t control the midfield with ease especially when playing at their home turf.

It was definitely a forgettable first half for DPMM FC and the head coach changed the tactics after the second half, putting Alviz back in a much more central role. Tosi Rodrigo, Roy O’Donovan and Roberto Alviz came very close in breaking the deadlock after the break. It was a much better performance from DPMM FC but the result wasn’t favourable enough as this match was a much needed win for DPMM FC.

For me, the star of the night was Geylang Internatioanal FC’s Aliff Shafaein who was instrumental in his side’s attack. He had a few efforts on target and his penetrating runs made it difficult for DPMM FC to defend as he opened up gaps in their defence. He lifted Geylang’s confidence and bossed the midfield but he ran out of steam in the middle of the second half as he was substituted.

Though it wasn’t a defeat for DPMM FC, Steve Kean believes this is a change of momentum after a run of 3 defeats and this shift will be more favourable in the upcoming matches for DPMM FC. Their next game will be against Courts Young Lions this Wednesday at Jalan Besar Stadium.

Despite the draw, DPMM FC still lead the table with a one-point lead over Warriors FC and defending champions Tampines Rovers. They can extend their lead to four points if they beat Courts Young Lions this Wednesday. All the best, DPMM FC.

 

DPMM FC vs Geylang International FC

It was good to see kids concentrating till the final whitsle

DPMM FC finally has a clean sheet at the expense of a draw

Great defence by the visitors as well

Go-proing with fans after the match

The media waiting to interview the head coach of DPMM FC
 

 

DPMM FC vs Geylang  

Catch this match on Saturday, 14th June

Three in a row in the S•League. That wasn’t the script as planned for DPMM FC. One stage DPMM FC was 7 points ahead in the summit. Today their cushion has been cut to just one point after 3 consecutive losses in the S•League but Home United can overtake the leaderboard should they win tonight against Hougang United.

DPMM FC head coach Steve Kean is confident that DPMM FC can bounce back against Geylang International FC tomorrow night (Saturday) at Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium.

“It might 3 league losses in a row but we have a big win in between. So it’s two defeats in a row but it’s never nice. I still feel we have enough qualities. We played too deep against Tampines Rovers and it gives us something to work on and we just had some training session to get things right. I think the worrying thing is you don’t know why you lost and you don’t know why you didn’t play. This one we know we were far too deep,” shared Steve Kean.

“We will definitely pick up from our previous game and we actually have against Tampines. We know these were gonna be tough games. If we get a good game against Geylang, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be back to where we started.”

Geyland International currently sits at 8th place in the S•League and the last time DPMM FC played them at Bedok Stadium, the game ended in a 1-1 draw. So let’s hope for a victory for DPMM FC tomorrow night.

DPMM FC’s last three games in the S•League

Warriors FC 1 DPMM FC 0
DPMM FC 2 Home united 3
Tampines Rovers FC 2 DPMM FC 1

 

DPMM FC head coach Steve Kean having a word with the players after training 

DPMM FC recent 2-1 loss against Tampines Rovers FC. Image taken by Halim Zul Hakim. 

The standings so far