Kean Impressed With Azwan’s Performance

Written by: Phoon Jia Hui

Creating one and scoring the other, Azwan Ali helped Brunei DPMM to victory over Albirex Niigata (S) in their RHB Singapore Cup Quarter-Final Second Leg encounter at Jalan Besar Stadium.

According to DPMM coach Steve Kean, the 21-year-old was to him ‘one of the best young players’ in the country and was full of praise for Azwan.

“He is like a sponge and takes everything in. He is a good passer of the ball and can switch play very well with his diagonal passes,” added Kean.

“Another one [whom I am impressed with] is Hendra Azam, he has not been playing much this season. But I am trying to give him [Azwan] experience by playing him in a few different positions and learn the game. We will see the best of him during the League Cup.”

“These players develop a bit later than they do in Europe and they don’t go through the academy system.

“You see them as a young player even though he is older than most of the players that played in national football in UK [United Kingdom]. He [Azwan] is fit and getting stronger. He is all about technique and not aggression.”

DPMM have been drawn in Group D of the StarHub League Cup alongside Hougang United and defending champions Balestier Khalsa whom they will face in their opener on July 11 (Friday), in what is a rematch of last year’s final.