Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
DPMM FC coach Adrian Pennock is disappointed not to be able to feature in the Community Shield at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore this Saturday.
The reigning champions of the Singapore Premier League (SPL) were initially scheduled to face Singapore Cup champions Tampines Rovers FC but pulled out of the curtain raiser because of precautionary travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 situation.
However, the Community Shield will proceed as planned after the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced that Hougang United FC will take their place.
“We’re disappointed but can totally understand the decision. It is a sensible one not to travel over there,” said Pennock in an interview with BruSports News today.
“I thought that they could postpone (the Community Shield) to a later date when things are better but I’m not too worried.
:They got a replacement team with Hougang but the biggest thing is that it is all about raising money for charity which is fantastic,” he added.
“I have mixed emotions. I really wanted to play being the champions of last season but we have to look at the bigger picture. The health and safety of everybody is more important,” continued the 48-year-old.
DPMM FC are scheduled to open their title defence against the Lion City Sailors FC, formerly known as Home United FC, on February 29 but now that hangs in the balance as well.
“We just have to wait till other people say it is safe to go over there and see what happens. That’s all I can say for now,” concluded Pennock.
