| Fadhil Yunus |
DPMM FC head coach Steve Kean has described their upcoming encounter against nine-time winners Warriors FC as a tricky test in the S League despite the latter suffering from a poor run of form at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium tonight.
The visiting side have not won in their last six matches and they had to go back to June for their last victory in a 3-1 win over Hougang United FC.
However, Kean refused to get carried away and believes it’s their opponents’ misfortunes that could help stir a response against a DPMM FC side eager to return to winning ways after the Geylang draw.
The head coach looked at the potential threat that Warriors could bring to end their poor run of results.
“The danger is we are up against a team that is off the back of five straight defeats. They don’t care how they’ll end that sequence,” said Kean in an interview after a training session at the Jerudong Mini Stadium yesterday.
Despite the string of poor results, justice has not necessarily been served in Warriors’ collection of defeats.
“I’ve seen some of the games which they didn’t deserve to lose all the games but they have. It’s a tricky game because Warriors are always a tough opponent,” he added.
“Warriors are on a bad run just as well as an opponent on a good run. But we got to take the form and the confidence that we’ve had over the last number of games.
“I even think against Geylang we’ve done enough to win so morale is high, we’re playing well and we’ll have the added advantage of bringing Paulo (Paulo Sergio) back.”
DPMM FC players in training yesterday ahead of the Warriors tie in the S League
Kean has tipped midfielder Azwan Ali to make a return in the starting eleven since the 3-2 second leg victory against Ceres La Salle in the Singapore Cup on July 3.
“Also Azwan Ali seems to be getting back into form with the games that he’s come on he’s done well so he’s going to start.”
DPMM FC fullback Helmi Zambin is suspended for the game so Awangku Fakharrazi has been earmarked as a replacement.
The head coach has also acknowledged the quality from the bench due to competition of places after seeing substitutes Adi and Shahrazen Said putting on good displays when relied on while fast improving Maududi Hilmi Kasmi excelled in an advanced role.
“It is actually very difficult to get onto the bench now such as the competition. The bench is strong and a few weeks ago we’ve had Adi, Johnny (Shahrazen), Izam (Azim Izamuddin) Ikhwan and even Azam was on the bench.”
“He came on and played a really good game so anybody who is now selected and come on and do well not just the forward positions.
“That’s all down to the environment in training and trying to create I suppose is competition.”
Kean added that the players who show a high level of performance during matches would be likely to win a starting berth in the team while a good showing in training could help them push for a spot in the starting line-up from the bench.
“It will be the guys that trained well who’ll get on as a substitute. If they play well in the game, they stay in the team.”
Kean made a notable change after dropping DPMM FC star midfielder Azwan Ali and recalled Adi Said into the starting eleven who picked form during the cup competitions.
“I don’t care who it is. Juan (Azwan Ali) was left out for a number of weeks because Adi was doing so well and he just had to sit, wait and abide his time until he gets another opportunity,” he concluded.
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