The New Paper League Cup 2017 (Group B)

Brunei DPMM vs Geylang International

(14 July, Friday, 7.30pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

Written by: Rashid Sulaiman

Despite having qualified for the last four of The New Paper League Cup, both Brunei DPMM and Geylang International have vowed to put out their best showing when the two meet in their final Group B match at Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday night.

Both teams have a perfect record in Group B, with DPMM starting their campaign with a 5-1 win over Tampines Rovers before seeing off Balestier Khalsa 3-0 in their previous match.

For the Eagles, their League Cup journey began with a 2-0 victory over Balestier Khalsa before thumping the Stags 4-1, with Prime League player Ifwat Ismail netting a hat-trick in the latter match.

Newly-appointed Geylang head coach Noor Ali was pleased with his young striker’s performance in their last match and intends to reward Ifwat with a starting berth in this match against Steve Kean’s charges.

“I had confidence in Ifwat all this while. After all, he’s been with me in the Prime League for a while already and he’s a hardworking boy who has improved a lot. I was not surprised when he came on to score the three goals,” said Noor Ali.

“It’s nice to see this happening; he’s been mentioned a lot over the past few days and hopefully this will give him a chance of making the SEA Games squad.

“Ifwat will start the next game including a few more players Prime League. It does not matter who do we play in the semi-finals. If we want to be the champions, we have to beat the best,” explained the former Singapore international.

Noor Ali had included several Prime League boys on their bench against Tampines, namely Justin Sim, Asshukrie Wahid and Ashraf Razali. Ashraf made a brief appearance in that match, replacing Amy Recha six minutes before the end.

Kean meanwhile, is determined to get the best out of his players and snatch a win against the resurgent Eagles. A win is crucial for the Bruneians after a poor run of results in the Great Eastern-Hyundai S.League which sees them languishing in eighth position with only a win and a draw to their name.

“Rafael Ramazotti and Daud Gazale are coming back from injury, but they’re going to find it hard coming back into this team. The attackers are playing well and there’s no point changing the starting eleven,” said Kean, who will stick to the front two of the Said brothers, Adi and Shahrazen.

“We had a new goalkeeper, two new centre backs, a new right-back and a new midfield combination, so we needed some time and now we’re coming into form.

“In the last game (against Geylang International), we won’t be resting; we’ll still try to play and win the game,” added the former Blackburn Rovers manager.

Kean will rely on their mid-season signing Vincent Salas to provide leadership at the back with Awangku Mu’izzuddin providing a safe pair of hands between the sticks.

While Geylang have no suspension worry, DPMM will have to make do without midfielder Najib Tarif who is serving a one-match suspension.

Suspension: Najib Tarif (Brunei DPMM)

Brunei DPMM – LLLWW

11/07/17 Brunei DPMM 3-0 Balestier Khalsa (The New Paper League Cup)

08/07/17  Tampines Rovers 1-5 Brunei DPMM (The New Paper League Cup)

02/07/17  Warriors FC 1-0 Brunei DPMM

16/06/17  Albirex Niigata (S) 4-0 Brunei DPMM

25/05/17  Home United 9-3 Brunei DPMM

Geylang International – LDWWW

11/07/17 Tampines Rovers 1-4 Geylang International (The New Paper League Cup)

08/07/17  Balestier Khalsa 0-2 Geylang International (The New Paper League Cup)

02/07/17  Geylang International 2-1 Garena Young Lions

29/06/17  Tampines Rovers 1-1 Geylang International

21/06/17  Geylang International 4-4 Global Cebu FC (PHI) (Global win 3-2 on penalties) (RHB Singapore Cup)