| Fadhil Yunus |
DPMM FC head coach Steve Kean is disappointed not to finish second in the S League but has vowed to carry on their unbeaten streak when they visit Toa Payoh Stadium for their concluding league game of the season against Balestier Khalsa tonight.
Tampines Rovers’ victory over DPMM FC’s opponents tonight confirmed they could not be overtaken in second place and will be playing to restore some pride against newly crowned S League champions Albirex Niigata (S) in a dress rehearsal for the Singapore Cup.
Kean would have been secretly hoping for a Tampines’ slip-up which would have brought the race for second place down to the wire on the final day of the season.
The Brunei-based outfit have settled for third place after managing an impressive run which saw them amassing 23 points out of a maximum 27 points.
“It is disappointing because we were always chasing second place and hoping that Tampines slipped up. As we’ve seen they haven’t so we’ve secured third place,” said Kean in an interview after a training session at the Jerudong Mini Stadium on Monday.
“Disappointed not to get second place and take it to the last game but we just want to keep our fantastic run going.”
The head coach has hinted that the local players which did not travel to Cambodia are in firm contention to start with the three foreign imports.
“Even though the lads that are coming back from Cambodia are a bit tired, most of the lads that will start have been the lads that have been based here for three weeks so we’ll still have the freshness about us,” he said.
“We’ve trained really well and we’re looking forward to finish our last game and finishing on a high.”
Hendra Azam of DPMM FC attempts a pass during a training session at the Jerudong Mini Stadium on Monday. – FADHIL YUNUS
While the majority of the players could be those who have featured in the 6 vs 6 games during training with Kean hinting 99 per cent of the players will be giving the nod, it is still someone’s guess which Brunei international will not start from the bench.
“We gave the lads that came back another recovery session. Fortunately, they didn’t all play in the last game.
“There is some that played 90 minutes in the last game and I think that would be difficult for them. But the ones who didn’t play 90 minutes they’re in contention because the game was on Friday,” he asserted.
The head coach added that they had a recovery session on Monday primarily for the players who travelled to Cambodia for international duty at the AFF Suzuki Cup qualifiers.
He also revealed that the returning players might only be able to play only one half of the match adding that he is ready to provide opportunities to the players that have trained for the last three weeks.
Kean also heaped praise to the players that have been performing well in training for the last three weeks despite having most of the regulars missing.
“We’ve missed the lads but you do the best you can. The boys that’s been here have been top class,” he said.
Kean’s side are undoubtedly the most in-form team in the league currently undefeated in their last nine league games and gunning for their seventh successive league win.
Despite oozing with confidence, Kean exercised caution against Balestier Khalsa who had a poor season by their own admissions and willing to end the season with a win.
“We know that Balestier had a tough season. We always find it tough especially against them in the first half because they are so direct but we’re confident we can get the points if we play to our maximum,” the former Blackburn Rovers manager said.
With Aminuddin Zakwan Tahir excelling in his role in his breakthrough season, Kean has been impressed with defender Yura Indera Putera’s contributions filling in the void left by no-nonsense defender Boris Raspudic.
“Yura has been great for us this season. Like any young player, sometimes he’s made a couple of little mistakes but overall his progress has been excellent. The amount of minutes that he has played for us this season will stand him in good stead for next season.”
The Brunei international has suffered a knock during the AFF qualifying campaign and will have the club assessing his fitness with Abdul Aziz Tamit in line to replace him if he is not fit in time.
Meanwhile, the club being linked with a move for Billy Mehmet from Tampines Rovers FC has dominated headlines though there is no confirmation of the player leaving the Stags for Brunei.
“At this time of year, you’ve heard names being mentioned who is a good player”, Kean said.
“He (Billy) would add a good profile to any club. I hope he is linked to us because he will be excellent,” he said.
The Gegar Gegar men will welcome back Azwan Ali Rahman having been unavailable due to injury for Brunei’s AFF qualifying campaign but Najib Tarif remains a doubt after picking up an ankle injury in the win against Timor Leste.
Versatile player Azwan Salleh is also available after playing in the Laos game unscathed having not been in full fitness in the opening fixture of the qualifiers.
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