Brunei DPMM vs Home United

(September 17, Wednesday, 8.15pm, Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium)

Written by: Kenneth Ho

This is the final charge for Brunei DPMM, with the next five games determining whether they will earn the club’s first ever S.League title. But first, they will have to navigate against Home United, who are also still in the running for the title, although they are eight points off the pace.

A win will be essential to Home’s title hopes, as a loss here will see them drop further back to eleven points, with four games to go.

If they do lose, it will be mathematically possible still for Home to win the title. But that would mean DPMM has to lose their remaining games, while other results must go in Home’s way in order for them to win the title.

Perched at the top, DPMM need at least three wins from the next five games to secure that spot, and the Bruneian side seemed to have hit top form at the right moment.

After two consecutive draws against Hougang United and Balestier Khalsa, the Brunei-based club has roared back into life with an 8-1 thumping of Woodlands followed by a last-gasp win over Tanjong Pagar United.

On the other hand, Home have been let down by a series of inconsistent result that saw them slip further behind DPMM, with the latest being a 3-0 defeat by Courts Young Lions.

However, Home have shown that when they got their ‘A’ game on, they are easily one of the best offensive-oriented team in the league. A 3-2 win at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium last time round proves just that.

After a two-week international break, both teams seemed to have steered clear of any injuries to key players. Home will however be missing winger Yasir Hanapi due to suspension.

However, an array of attacking talents should render that suspension inconsequential for Home coach Lee Lim Saeng. Fazrul Nawaz should be leading the charge yet again and flanked by Bruno Castanheira and Qiu Li.

Despite possessing great attacking players, Home do need to look out for the crosses Azwan Ali is capable of putting in. His pin-point crosses can easily find Rodrigo Tosi or Roy O’Donovan, and the duo are fearsome with headers in the box.

Suspension: Yasir Hanapi (Home United)

Key Men To Watch

Brunei DPMM: Azwan Ali

Easily one of the best left midfielders in the league, Azwan has got great speed and a mean left foot. Against Tanjong Pagar, he provided 15 crosses into the box, of which six found its mark. The winger is not afraid to get stuck in as well, as he made 29 challenges in his last match, with 48% of them being successful.

Home United: Sirina Camara

Against a side like Brunei DPMM, a player like Camara will be essential. Primarily a defensive player, Camara will be expected to shore up his team’s backline wherever he plays.

Seeing how he has played in a defensive midfield role, it is highly likely he will be asked to play there again to prevent the likes of Rosmin Kamis from running riot.

Brunei DPMM – WWDDW

30/8/14    Tanjong Pagar United 1-2 Brunei DPMM

26/8/14    Brunei DPMM 8-1 Woodlands Wellington

21/8/14    Balestier Khalsa 3-3 Brunei DPMM

3/8/14      Brunei DPMM 2-2 Hougang United

25/7/14    Tanjong Pagar United 0-2 Brunei DPMM (StarHub League Cup Final)

Home United – LDWWL

28/8/14    Home United 0-3 Courts Young Lions

24/8/14    Home United 2-2 Warriors FC

21/8/14    Home United 4-2 Albirex Niigata (S)

30/7/14    Tanjong Pagar United 1-2 Home United

17/7/14    Home United 1-2 Hougang United (StarHub League Cup QF)

Head to Head (S.League)

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

14/3/14    Home United 0-3 Brunei DPMM

10/5/13    Brunei DPMM 3-2 Home United

21/2/13    Home United 0-0 Brunei DPMM

29/9/12    Brunei DPMM 3-2 Home United

19/4/12    Home United 1-0 Brunei DPMM