| Fadhil Yunus |
A LOCALLY-inspired DPMM FC side fell to a 2-0 loss to Thai Honda FC in their second friendly match of the training tour of Bangkok at the 72nd Anniversary Stadium yesterday.
The Brunei-based side managed to hold the Thai League 2 outfit with the score goalless at half-time but goals from Natpasut Malisorn and Farid Madsoh after the break condemned them to defeat.
DPMM FC newly-appointed head coach Rene Weber fielded a second string team without any foreign imports against the Thai second tier side as he looked to test the strength of his squad, especially the reserves.
DPMM FC new captain Shahrazen Said was deployed as the main striker alongside new recruit Azizi Ali Rahman, who joined the club from DST Super League winners MS ABDB.
Azizi will be making a step-up in the newly-rebranded Singapore Premier League this term following a number of seasons terrorising the defences in the DST Super League where he scooped top scorer awards in consecutive seasons.
Fakharrazi Hassan, who is returning for a second spell in the club, also started together with Reduan Petara and Nur Ikhwan Othman.
The head coach made sweeping changes as Muhammad Shafie bin Haji Mohd Effendy and Abdul Mu’iz bin Sisa looked to make a good impression on the newly-appointed head coach.
The team also featured Azim Izamuddin Suhaimi, who is entering his third season with the club, Najib Tarif, Wardun Yussof and Hanif Hamir who is one of Weber’s options for a central defensive pairing with Brian McLean.
The ‘Gegar Gegar’ men kicked off their tour of Bangkok with a 2-1 win over Air Force Central FC on Tuesday and will conclude their tour of Bangkok against Kasetsart FC at the TOT Stadium in Chaeng Watthana tomorrow.