Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
DPMM FC coach Adrian Pennock is excited to make his debut in the Singapore Premier League next month.
The Brunei side will open their campaign against Home United FC at the Bishan Stadium in Singapore on March 3 before playing their first home fixture at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas against Geylang International FC six days later.
“I wish it (the league) was tomorrow,” said Pennock in an interview with BruSports News at the sidelines of the players and sponsors signing ceremony on Monday.
“We still got under three weeks now and preparations are going well. If you look at the players, you can see their physique and they are getting stronger.
“They have been working very hard and I really wish it was tomorrow but there are still a lot more to do,” he added.
“More shape and fitness levels to do. We are going in the right direction that’s for sure,” continued the Englishman.
DPMM FC had their first real tests in late January when they travelled to Thailand for a pre-season friendly tour.
They started out with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Ayutthaya United FC on January 29 before falling to Thai Honda FC 3-0 two days later.
Brunei’s only professional team then completed their tour with a 0-0 stalemate against MOF Customs United.
Pennock felt that the trip was exactly what the team needed.
“We achieved what we wanted and more. It was a very good trip. The boys worked very hard and I was very pleased with all the games that we played,” said the former Stoke City first team coach.
“I’m not worried with the results. To be honest, they were a lot bigger and stronger than us which we knew that was going to happen.
“In every game that we played, we put a good account of ourselves and played some good football,” he added.
“The fitness level of the boys is getting stronger and fitter and I want to give them a lot of credit. They have been very fantastic.
“There is a good feeling with the club and players. There is a great atmosphere with everyone connected.
“Others might look at it that we didn’t score a goal or we didn’t do this. But I thought the three games were perfect and we did what we wanted,” continued the 47-year-old.
DPMM FC have signed the trio of Charlie Clough, Andrei Varankou and Blake Ricciuto as their imports this season.
When asked on how well they have settled with the rest of the team, Pennock replied: “They have been brilliant and have a very good nature about themselves.
“They are good characters. From day one, they have mixed with the players with no problems at all and they are very likeable people.
“They are good players and have settled in very well,” he concluded.
The new season will kick off on February 23 with defending champions Albirex Niigata FC (S) taking on Home United in the 2019 Community Shield at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
