Caption: Helmi Zambin (L) in action against the Garena Young Lions in their previous S.League meeting in May. Picture: Courtesy of Ortus Media
Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
DPMM FC are looking for back-to-back wins in the S.League when they host basement dwellers Garena Young Lions tonight at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
The Brunei side are coming off a 2-1 victory over Hougang United FC on Sept 23, ending their 14-game winless run in the competition.
DPMM FC coach Steve Kean has kept his charges battle ready despite more than a two-week gap coming into the encounter.
“What we have done off a back of a good win is give the boys a couple of days off as we have been in (training) for 28 consecutive days,” said Kean in an interview with BruSports News yesterday.
“They were a little bit fatigue. After we got back in, we doubled up on sessions to get our energy back.
“The lads look fresh and they are hungry to go again. It is amazing what a good wins does,” he added.
“They look really good on the training ground but as mentioned before, we must transfer the excellence on the training ground onto the pitch tomorrow night (Saturday night) and get more points,” continued the Scotsman.
DPMM FC are currently on eight points while the Young Lions, who are still in search of their first win of the season, are five points back sitting at the bottom of the nine-team table.
The Young Lions also have a poor record against DPMM FC as the have never tasted victory in all their 14 encounters with the latter winning 10 of them.
However, the Singapore under-22 team have since picked up under new coach Vincent Subramaniam taking over late last month.
They came close to getting in the win column but eventually fell 1-0 to Balestier Khalsa in their last match on Sept 23.
“They were unlucky in the last game. We know they got energy and they are never afraid,” said Kean.
“It is not like the Young Lions from a few years ago where they use to come in and are a bit afraid.
“But they are here to show the coach and staff in the dressing room and bench what they can do to progress in their own careers,” he added.
“They got some good players and we need to be careful.
“If we don’t approach the game like as if we playing Albirex, Hougang or Tampines then they can catch us out,” continued the former Blackburn Rovers manager.
DPMM FC will have everyone available for selection except for Maududi Hilmi Kasmi, who is out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury.
