| Fadhil Yunus |
DPMM FC head coach Steve Kean has acknowledged that midfielder Maududi Hilmi Kasmi has played his best game in the club’s colours after starring in the 2-1 win over title-chasing Albirex Niigata (S) last week.
The midfielder has been a revelation in his position since growing in importance as part of the first team last season.
Maududi has been portrayed as a player who captured form ahead of the club’s away tie against Geylang International FC in the S League at the Bedok Stadium in Singapore.
“He probably played his best game of the season. He was probably the man of the match,” said Kean in an interview with the Bulletin after a training session at the Jerudong Mini Stadium on Tuesday.
The 27-year old has been enjoying the freedom to roam the penalty box after his recent exploits which can be said more difficult if he embarks a central midfield role.
Maududi Hilmi Kasmi (Right) has been in scintillating form for DPMM FC this season. – FADHIL YUNUS
“In all honesty, I’d think he prefer the role a little higher up. It’s obviously more difficult for him on a physical aspect of the game when he plays central midfield because sometimes you’re playing against some physically more demanding players with more fouls,” Kean further added.
Maududi has been acknowledged for his qualities to cause opponents mayhem on the box and has found comfort in an advanced role.
“Whereas when he can get the ball in the box, he can use his low sense of gravity and the way he can change direction and I thought he was absolutely fantastic in the last match.”
The midfield supremo has ticked the right boxes after impressing the coach in the victory just days after tasting defeat to the same side in the League Cup final.
“In my opinion, probably it was the best game he has ever played for us,” the head coach said.
“He’s a clever player. He’s now getting more confidence that even though he is slight in physique his core strength is actually strong.
“I can’t speak highly enough of Dudi at the moment. He’s been outstanding,” he further added.
With a number of teams electing a 3-5-2 formation inspired by a pair of central forwards complementing the line of attack, DPMM FC have preferred 3-4-3 with two players covering the wide areas and the wide forwards in addition to the wingbacks.
“Our aim when we’re building up is to get the ball wide because we’ve got such pace and such quality in the wide areas.
“We’re causing teams problems because we’re stretching them and if they double up then we can quickly go into midfield and switch out to the other side and get two again against one fullback.”
There will be no fresh injury concerns ahead of the tie but Paulo Sergio will be serving the last of a two-game suspension.
Geylang new arrival Mark Hartmann has been prolific in front of goal but there are no immediate plans to concentrate putting all the stops only on one player.
“We’re not a team that really man to man marks people. If somebody comes in anybody’s zone, it is just the responsibility of the closest man to get up to the ball.”
“But what you’ll see now is much more aggressive mentality when the opposition have the ball. Whoever gets the ball, we’ll have pressure on them really early,” he said.
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