Written by: Shawn Lim

Brunei DPMM vs Tampines Rovers
(Saturday, 19 March, 8.15pm, Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium)

Defending champions Brunei DPMM will be looking to extend their four-game unbeaten run when they welcome title hopefuls Tampines Rovers to Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium on Saturday night.

The Wasps have not lost a match in the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League since their opening day defeat to Albirex Niigata (S) and have again turned their home ground into a fortress, with both their wins this season achieved on home soil.

However, Steve Kean’s men have been made to work hard for their points this season as the lack of new additions to their squad, as compared with the other clubs, has affected them a great deal.

Meanwhile, Tampines will return to local football after two consecutive AFC Cup games, in which they put up vastly different performances.

While the Stags managed a 1-0 victory over Malaysian giants Selangor FA, they struggled to deal with Filippino side Ceres La Salle, in which they were to a 1-1 draw after conceding a goal two minutes from time.

Coach V.Sundramoorthy would have drummed the need for concentration into his side as they try to prove their title credentials when they take on DPMM.

It will also be interesting to see how Tampines’ strikeforce of Jermaine Pennant, Jordan Webb and Billy Mehmet fare against DPMM’s trio of Azwan Ali, Paulo Sergio and last season’s top-scorer Rafael Ramazotti.

One thing for certain is that the goalkeepers on both sides – Izwan Mahbud for Tampines and Wardun Yussof for DPMM – are in for a busy night.

Key Men To Watch

Brunei DPMM: Rafael Ramazotti

The Brazilian will be rubbing his hands in anticipation of facing the Stags’ defence in aerial battles as he has the height advantage over their defenders as well as Izwan.

Afiq Yunos, who is the tallest Tampines defender, will be tasked to shut down Ramazotti and ensure that he does not cause damage to Tampines.

Tampines Rovers: Noh Rahman

The veteran defender has looked a shadow of his former self as he has looked off the pace and has been caught ball watching on many occasions in recent games.

Once a player who hardly put a foot wrong, Noh Rahman will need to re-discover the form that made him one of Singapore’s best defender, on a night where he will have to deal with Sergio and Ramazotti.

Brunei DPMM – LDWDW

11/03/16  Brunei DPMM 3-1 Home United (S.League)
04/03/16  Hougang United 0-0 Brunei DPMM (S.League)
27/02/16  Brunei DPMM 3-1 Warriors FC (S.League)
20/02/16  Geylang International FC 1-1 Brunei DPMM (S.League)
13/02/16  Albirex Niigata (S) 3-2 Brunei DPMM (S.League)

Tampines Rovers – DLDWW

15/03/16  Tampines Rovers 1-1 Ceres La Salle (AFC Cup)
08/03/16  Selangor FA 0-1 Tampines Rovers (AFC Cup)
03/03/16  Home United 1-1 Tampines Rovers (S.League)
26/02/16  Tampines Rovers 4-1 Hougang United (S.League)
23/02/16  Tampines Rovers 4-0 Sheikh Jamal (AFC Cup)

Head To Head (S.League)

28/10/15  Brunei DPMM 1-0 Tampines Rovers
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