Written By: Nigel Chin

Brunei DPMM vs Tampines Rovers

(Wednesday, 28 October, 7:30pm, Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium)

Three crucial points will be at stake for both Brunei DPMM and Tampines Rovers when they face off in Brunei on Wednesday evening.

DPMM currently lead the S.League standings with 46 points, six points away from closest challengers Balestier Khalsa, with Tampines trailing by a further three points in third position.

However, the Stags do have two games in hand over DPMM, and a win against DPMM as well as victories in the two games they have yet to play will allow V. Sundramoorthy’s men to draw level on points with the Wasps.

DPMM coach Steve Kean is not worried about that though. The former Blackburn manager wants his side to just focus on getting the three points in all their remaining games instead.

“I don’t want to say that [we can wrap up the title with a win]. Last year we had bigger lead,” Kean stated.

“I don’t want to look too far ahead. We just want to concentrate on Tampines and let’s try win that [game].

“It’s good [to be ahead], but we had a bigger lead last year, yet we finished second. You always learn from experience.

“It was a horrible way to lose the title on the last day. So now, we are not even thinking about that… we just want to look at the next game and win it.”

DPMM will be missing key striker Paulo Sergio due to suspension, but Kean explained it was never going to be an issue as the striker was slated to be rested for this fixture after struggling with his hamstring.

That may turn out to be good news for Tampines, who have clawed their way back into title contention.

They have won five of their last six matches, and are one of the in-form teams in the league right now.

But a defeat tomorrow may end their hopes as well so the pressure could be on them instead.

Suspension: Paulo Sergio (Brunei DPMM)

Key Men to Watch

Brunei DPMM: Rafael Ramazotti

With Sergio out of the game, Ramazotti will be tasked to put the ball into the back of the net.

It should not be too difficult for the Brazilian, who currently leads the S.League top scorer’s chart with 18 goals.

The chance to snatch the award, along with a league title, will without a doubt give the striker all the motivation he needs.

Tampines Rovers: Fahrudin Mustafic

The Tampines captain is one to step up in big matches, and they do not get any bigger than this.

He will be trusted to lead the way from the back, where he must shut out the dangerous Ramazotti.

Brunei DPMM – WWDWW

23/10/15 Harimau Muda 0-2 Brunei DPMM (S.League)

20/10/15 Hougang United 1-2 Brunei DPMM (S.League)

17/10/15 Brunei DPMM 4-4 Home United (S.League)

02/10/15 Brunei DPMM 3-2 Home United (Singapore Cup)

22/09/15 Courts Young Lions 1-2 Brunei DPMM (S.League)

Tampines Rovers – WLWWW

20/10/15  Geylang International 1-4 Tampines Rovers (S.League)

17/10/15  Tampines Rovers 1-0 Hougang United (S.League)

27/09/15  Courts Young Lions 1-3 Tampines Rovers (S.League)

19/09/15  Tampines Rovers 0-1 Courts Young Lions (S.League)

15/09/15  Tampines Rovers 5-1 Harimau Muda (S.League)

Head to Head (S.League)

01/08/15 Tampines Rovers 1-1 Brunei DPMM

10/05/15 Brunei DPMM 2 – 0 Tampines Rovers

31/10/14 Tampines Rovers 2 – 1 Brunei DPMM

10/06/14 Tampines Rovers 2 – 1 Brunei DPMM

23/03/14 Brunei DPMM 1 – 2 Tampines Rovers