Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
DPMM FC are looking for an improved performance when they host the unbeaten Warriors FC in the S.League tonight at 8.15pm at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
The Brunei side are coming off their third defeat of the season after falling 2-1 to Balestier Khalsa FC at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore last Friday.
It was their poorest showing so far in the season and DPMM FC coach Steve Kean hopes that they can turn it around.
“We're not focusing on the Warriors, saying that with respect, but on improving our own performance,” said Kean after a training session at the Jerudong Mini Stadium yesterday.
“No matter who we are playing, what we have to make sure is to perform better than the last game.
“We worked tirelessly this week and have changed things tactically. There will also be changes in some of the personnel to freshen things up,” added the Scotsman.
“I'm confident if we can defend like we did against Hougang we can get a good result,” continued Kean.
The Warriors currently have three wins and a draw under their name.
They almost slipped to their first defeat but came back from two goals down to defeat the Garena Young Lions (Singapore national under-21 football team) 4-3 last Friday - three of the goals coming in the last eight minutes.
“What they do is that they don't give up even when they go behind. They just keep going and can come back,” said Kean.
“We got to make sure no matter the score that we just need to focus on what we got to do.
“Our game plan which we have set out this week is all we got to focus on. We got to do what we practised,” he added.
“We know they are a good team as they got a good attitude and they showed that against the Young Lions. it will be a tough game,” continued the former Blackburn Rovers manager.
Warriors FC coach Razif Onn. Picture: Yee Chun Leong
On the other hand, Warriors coach Razif Onn is wary of the Brunei side despite their poor start to the season.
“We will not take any chances despite the current performance of DPMM FC which is not like last year,” said Razif in an interview with BruSports when met yesterday.
“We will play our best to win the game and if we can get the three points, we can even go top of the table,” he added.
Onn also believes that they have obtained the right formula.
“Put aside the unbeaten record, we started the first match not good. The second and third were good then we took a dip against the Young Lions,” said Onn.
“We have made some changes and have discussed with the players. We feel we have found right team in one of the matches and will apply that against DPMM FC,” he added.
When asked if the last win was a good confidence booster for his charges, the Warriors coach replied: “The performance in the first half was not that good. Compared to when we played Tampines, we went all out.
“Even in the second half till we made a few changes and it worked well for us and we scored a last minute goal. Hopefully it will help to boost the confidence of the players,” he concluded.
DPMM FC have a good record against the Warriors going unbeaten in their last seven encounter - triumphing in six of them.
