Tampines Rovers vs Brunei DPMM

(June 10, Tuesday, 7.30pm, Clementi Stadium)

Written by: Khalis Rifhan

Reigning Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League champions Tampines Rovers will have a perfect opportunity to close the gap between them and leaders Brunei DPMM when the two lock horns at Clementi Stadium.

The Stags are currently fourth in the league table on 25 points, six points behind the Bruneian club. At one stage in the season, DPMM led the pack with a seven-point margin but recent back-to-back losses to fellow title-chasers Warriors FC and Home United have reduced that margin drastically.

The first meeting between the two this season saw Tampines halting DPMM’s three-match winning run with a 2-1 win in Bandar Seri Begawan and that ensured the Stags stayed unbeaten against the Wasps in their past five encounters.

Preparations for this match have not been perfect for the Stags’ as they fumbled against Geylang International a week ago. Despite dominating that match, Rafi Ali succumbed to his first defeat as Tampines coach, as a blunder by new custodian Justin Pasfield presented the Eagles with maximum points.

DPMM welcome Roy O’Donovan back from suspension for the crucial tie. The Irishman’s timely return will be an added boost for Steve Kean’s side, who were missing the talismanic forward in their previous match.

Donovan’s exploits down the right flank will definitely be a headache for the Stags who tend to leave gaps at the back while venturing into the final third.

There will be an interesting battle in the middle of the field between Tampines’ Jake Butler and DPMM’s captain Rosmin Kamis. Butler, a mid-season signing made his debut for his new club against Geylang and the New Zealand international provided stability and confidence in midfield.

Suspension: Roberto Alviz (Brunei DPMM)

Key Men To Watch

Tampines Rovers: Jozef Kaplan

Kaplan made his debut for Tampines against his former club Geylang down at the left flank and the ex-Negeri Sembilan player did not disappoint. Despite tasting defeat in his first match for the Stags, the Slovakian put on a commendable performance with his work rate and crosses into the dangerous area.

The 27-year-old not only delivers ball into the penalty box, but Kaplan also loves to make diagonal runs and take shots at goal from a distance.

Brunei DPMM: Rodrigo Tosi

No surprise here with regards to DPMM’s dangerman. Tosi clocked an InStat score of 123 for his brilliant showing against the White Swans two weeks ago.

Against Home a week ago, Tosi was once again on target to take him to the top of the scoring chart with 13 goals.

Using his height to good use, Tosi is a threat both with his feet and in the air. The striker likes to tease his opponents at the edge of the box before unleashing a thunderous shot, most of which hit the back of the net, making him the current league’s top scorer.

Tampines Rovers – LWWDD

6/6/14      Geylang International 1-0 Tampines Rovers

29/5/14    Harimau Muda (5) 1-1 (6p) (AET) Tampines Rovers

23/5/14    Courts Young Lions 1-2 Tampines Rovers

18/5/14    Home United 2-2 Tampines Rovers

8/5/14      Tampines Rovers 3-3 Warriors FC

Brunei DPMM – LWLWWW

06/6/14    Brunei DPMM 2-3 Home United

31/5/14    Global FC 0-7 Brunei DPMM (RHB Singapore Cup)

22/5/14    Warriors FC 1-0 Brunei DPMM

14/5/14    Brunei DPMM 2-1 Albirex NIigata (S)

9/5/14      Brunei DPMM 4-0 Tanjong Pagar United

Head to Head (S.League)

23/3/14    Brunei DPMM 1-2 Tampines Rovers

25/8/13    Brunei DPMM 2-6 Tampines Rovers

16/4/13    Tampines Rovers 1-1 Brunei DPMM

15/6/12    Tampines Rovers 1-0 Brunei DPMM

12/2/12    Brunei DPMM 2-2 Tampines Rovers