Written by: Shawn Lim

The New Paper League Cup (Group A)

Brunei DPMM vs Tampines Rovers
(Thursday, 21 July, 7.45pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

With their places in the semi-finals of The New Paper League Cup 2016 already secured, Brunei DPMM and Tampines Rovers will battle it out for a top place finish in Group A on Thursday night at Jalan Besar Stadium.

The Wasps and the Stags will be keen to avoid meeting defending champions Albirex Niigata, who won Group B, as the White Swans are looking unstoppable at the moment and have signalled their intentions of retaining their title.

Tampines are currently in second place because of goal difference, as they failed to keep a clean sheet in one of their victories, a 6-4 defeat of Hougang, before managing to shut up shop against Warriors FC in their second game, winning 3-0.

DPMM on the other hand, have not conceded a goal yet in this tournament this year, beating Warriors and Hougang United by four goals and two goals respectively.

However, the Wasps will be without influential playmaker Paulo Sergio, after the Portuguese was sent off against the Cheetahs and coach Steve Kean has admitted the striker’s presence will be a blow.

“Paulo’s red card took the shine off a good night for us because he’s not that type of player to stick his studs into someone’s face or head. It’s frustrating to lose him for two matches,” said Kean after the victory over the Cheetahs.

The Scot, however, added that his side’s good form in the tournament will help soften the loss of Sergio and will put out his strongest possible side against the Stags in order to secure top spot.

“Nonetheless it’s been good for us; we’re scoring goals and we’ve kept two clean sheets. We’re not going to rest anyone for the final group game (against Tampines),” noted Kean.

“There is a good break till Thursday for us to recover and we’re going to fill our strongest side.”

Tampines will continue to miss the group of international players that are away with Singapore, as they will again be without Izwan Mahbud, Yasir Hanapi, Hafiz Sujad, Izzdin Shafiq, Shakir Hamzah, Afiq Yunos and Fazrul Nawaz.

Shahdan Sulaiman will remain on the sidelines, while Jermaine Pennant, who was an unused substitute against Warriors, will most likely be named in the starting lineup.

Suspension: Paulo Sergio (Brunei DPMM)

Brunei DPMM – WLLWW

17/07/16  Hougang United 0-2 Brunei DPMM (League Cup)
13/07/16  Brunei DPMM 4-0 Warriors FC (League Cup)
03/07/16  Ceres La Salle 3-2 Brunei DPMM (Singapore Cup)
30/06/16  Brunei DPMM 0-3 Ceres La Salle (Singapore Cup)
24/06/16  Balestier Khalsa 1-4 Brunei DPMM (S.League)

Tampines Rovers – WWWWW

17/07/16  Warriors FC 0-3 Tampines Rovers (League Cup)
13/07/16  Tampines Rovers 6-4 Hougang United (League Cup)
02/07/16  Global FC 1-2 Tampines Rovers (Singapore Cup)
29/06/16  Tampines Rovers 3-1 Global FC (Singapore Cup)
24/06/16  Tampines Rovers 1-0 Albirex Niigata (S) (S.League)