Written By: Stanley Yeo

Brunei DPMM vs Albirex Niigata (S)
(Friday, 22 April 2016, 8.15pm, Bandar Seri Begawan)

Having already defeated defending champions Brunei DPMM FC on opening day of the S.League season, Albirex Niigata (S) will travel to Bandar Seri Begawan on Friday in search of their sixth victory of the season.

Although Albirex head coach Naoki Naruo has stressed that it is still too early to indulge in title talks, the Japanese team have firmly established their title credentials after the first round of fixtures.

With 17 points in the bag in coupled with the league’s best goal difference record, Albirex Niigata, unquestionably, are the most consistent performer in the league so far.

On the back of a vital 1-0 victory in a tightly contested match against Tampines Rovers last week, the White Swans are definitely favourites when they take on the Wasps on Friday.

If the performance of Albirex having exceeded expectations, Brunei DPMM FC were certainly disappointing after the first eight games of the season.

In spite of an inconsistent start to the season, the Wasps find themselves loitering in the fourth position with 14 points, just three points away from the league leaders.

The first clash between these two sides ended with a five-goal thriller, one can positively expect plenty of goals in this clash as well – especially when they have poured in 31 goals in the first eight games of the season.

Suspension: Paulo Sergio (Brunei DPMM)

Key Man to Watch

Brunei DPMM FC: Azwan Ali

With talisman Paulo Sergio suspended, more playmaking responsibilities will fall on the shoulder of Azwan Ali.

The reigning S.League Young Player of The Year will be keen to impress once again and boost his chances of winning the Player of The Year this year.

Albirex Niigata (S): Atsushi Kawata

Kawata has been a revelation for his team this season by notching up seven goals in eight games.

With a hat-trick of headers against Home United a couple of weeks ago, Kawata is undeniably a deadly poacher inside the penalty box, capable of scoring from anywhere with any part of his body.

Considering the form he is in, one cannot help but to compare the current campaign of the 24-year-old to Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s first season with Manchester United in 2001.

With that said, any half-decent opportunity presented to Kawata will be expected to be put away by the lethal forward mercilessly.
Brunei DPMM – DWLWW

15/04/16  Brunei DPMM 3-1 Balestier Khalsa FC (S.League)
08/04/16  Brunei DPMM 4-0 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
19/03/16  Brunei DPMM 1-2 Tampines Rovers (S.League)
11/03/16  Brunei DPMM 3-1 Home United (S.League)
04/03/16  Hougang United 0-0 Brunei DPMM (S.League)

Albirex Niigata (S) – DLWWW

16/04/16  Albirex Niigata (S) 1-0 Tampines Rovers FC (S.League)
08/04/16  Home United 0-3 Albirex Niigata (S) (S.League)
01/04/16  Albirex Niigata (S) 2-0 Hougang United (S.League)
18/03/16  Warriors FC 2-0 Albirex Niigata (S) (S.League)
10/03/16  Geylang International 0-0 Albirex Niigata (S) (S.League)

Head to head (S.League)

13/02/16  Albirex Niigata (S) 3-2 Brunei DPMM
16/09/15  Albirex Niigata (S) 0-0 Brunei DPMM
14/05/15  Albirex Niigata (S) 2-1 Brunei DPMM
07/03/15  Brunei DPMM 1-0 Albirex Niigata (S)
28/10/14  Albirex Niigata (S) 0-1 Brunei DPMM