DPMM look to carry on early season form

Rano Iskandar
info@sleague.com

The Woodlands Wellington encounter a tricky away match against newcomers Brunei DPMM FC tonight at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in a Great Eastern-YEO'S S.League match.

With two draws out of their first two games, the Rams are two points behind DPMM FC a win for will lift them above the Bruneians.

However, DPMM FC has home advantage and after their impressive start to the season, are in a positions to put pressure on co-league leaders SAFFC and Gombak United should they win their encounter tomorrow night.

Woodlands Wellington will be looking towards their new foreign singings to breach DPMM FC's defence. Their last goals came from a 2-2 draw against Tampines Rovers, courtesy of Zakaria Yousif (Egyptian) and Mojtaba Tehranizadeh (Iranian).

DPMM FC's talisman Shahrazen Said has passed a fitness test and he will be featuring in the starting lineup in tonight's clash. There were doubts over the ankle injury the Malaysian Super League joint top scorer in the 2006/2007 season suffered during the mid-week clash with Super Reds but he has since recovered.

This means DPMM FC's new hero, Abu Bakar Mahari, may have to settle again for a spot on the bench. His two late strikes this season the Young Lions and Super Reds has brought DPMM FC to new heights and has restored confidence in the dressing room and on the pitch.

With DPMM FC's confidence running high, it will be a daunting task for the Rams to get a result from Brunei. It will also be a battle of the mind games from both Croats coaches, Vjeran Simunic and Nenad Bacina (DPMM FC and Woodlands respectively).

During a brief interview, Simunic hopes to make full use of the home advantage tomorrow.

"Our schedule is very tough. We have nine games ahead but only two home games. So must get three points in our next game. The fans are again important and I hope they bring the same atmosphere like the last game. This will give more inspiration to the players as I know we are not fit as other teams.

As for Sharazen's fitness, Simunic is happy that he will be playing in tomorrow's fixture after doubts over the ankle injury he suffered in the last game. The Croat added, "I won't change the winning formula and my bench is also important at this stage."

But he also stressed the fact that tonight's opponents will be tough to crack.

The game against Woodlands is crucial. We have waited eight months to avenge our defeat in the RHB Singapore Cup.We were unlucky that time but I respect them who were runner-up after losing to eventual champions SAFFC.

"They have very good imports. I believe they are they same level as Super Reds," he added.