Written by: Shawn Lim

Garena Young Lions vs Brunei DPMM

(Sunday, 19 June, 8pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

After a demoralising 6-1 defeat to Tampines Rovers in their last game, Garena Young Lions are keen to bounce back against Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League defending champions Brunei DPMM at Jalan Besar Stadium on Sunday night.

Despite much-improved performances in recent games against the likes of Hougang United, Ceres La Salle and Home United, the Young Lions were faced with a stark reality that there is still much work to be done after the heavy defeat to the Stags.

However, there is a possibility that the Young Lions could cause a few problems for DPMM, who are struggling for form at the moment and have only one win in their past five matches.

“I think it was a lesson learnt for us, especially in defence – they have to work on dealing with high balls from the back,” said Young Lions’ Khairul Amri.

“We have to learn from the defeat to Tampines and not make the same mistakes because we will be punished, as simple as that. This is an experienced side we are playing against so it’s going to be difficult.”

While it is worth noting that the Young Lions have yet to taste victory against DPMM in the league thus far, Amri was still optimistic of their chances against a side they lost 4-1 in Hassanal Bolkiah in April.

“Brunei DPMM have seasoned campaigners and are experienced and we can’t take anything for granted. We will give everything and [as long as] we don’t give them easy goals, we will be fine and hopefully we can bounce back from this heavy defeat [to Tampines].”

Last season success seem to be a distant memory now and Wasps coach Steve Kean has admitted that it is almost impossible to retain their title now, as the Bruneians are currently in sixth place in the league table.

“Today we saw dramatic improvement in our attacking play and what we’ve been working on for the past few weeks; getting the second balls and gaining possession back,” said Kean.

“It’s just that we are not defending well as a team and that’s our next challenge.

“To win the league is very difficult for us now, but we are hoping to start a clean slate and do well in the cup competitions.”

Hami Syahin, Hazim Faiz and Adam Swandi are set to return to the Young Lions team, while DPMM could hand a starting spot to new signings Azim Izamuddin, Abdul Hafiz Abdul Rahim, Naim Hj Tarif, Abdul Muiz Sisa if they clear the required 2.4km test.

Garena Young Lions – LDLDL

14/06/16  Tampines Rovers 6-1 Garena Young Lions (S.League)

11/06/16  Home United 2-2 Garena Young Lions (S.League)

29/05/16  Ceres La Salle 3-1 Garena Young Lions (SG Cup)

19/05/16  Hougang United 1-1 Garena Young Lions (S.League)

12/05/16  Garena Young Lions 3-1 Warriors FC (S.League)

Brunei DPMM – LDWLL

11/06/16  Tampines Rovers 4-3 Brunei DPMM (S.League)

19/05/16  Home United 5-0 Brunei DPMM (S.League)

14/05/16  Brunei DPMM 3-2 Hougang United (S.League)

05/05/16  Warriors FC 1-1 Brunei DPMM (S.League)

30/04/16  Brunei DPMM 1-2 Geylang International (S.League)

Head To Head (S.League)

08/04/16  Brunei DPMM 4-1 Garena Young Lions

22/09/15  Courts Young Lions 1-2 Brunei DPMM

23/08/15  Brunei DPMM 2-0 Courts Young Lions

26/07/15  Courts Young Lions 1 – 1 Brunei DPMM

18/06/14  Courts Young Lions 2 – 3 Brunei DPMM