StarHub League Cup Quarter-Final

Brunei DPMM vs Woodlands Wellington

(July 17, Thursday, 8.00pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

Written by: Phoon Jia Hui

An in-form Brunei DPMM will lock horns with Woodlands Wellington in the StarHub League Cup quarter-final at Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday evening.

While DPMM  – who are currently on a seven-match unbeaten run – qualified for the last eight of the competition by finishing as winners of Group D, Woodlands Wellington were runners-up in Group C behind Home United after claiming their only victory over Singapore Recreation Club (SRC).

In their opening group match, the 2012 League Cup champions were held to a 2-all draw by Balestier Khalsa but recovered from that disappointment with a 3-2 triumph over Hougang United in their last game.

Despite conceding four goals in the group stages, DPMM coach Steve Kean remained unperturbed.

“We have had a little bit of wobbles defensively, but we will just look to win games,” he said.

“I always think that we can outscore the opposition, and we might leave ourselves open at the back but I would rather play like that than not pushing forward and have those amount of shots.”

When asked about their chances, the former Blackburn Rovers manager expressed optimism by saying: “We are confident we can win every game because we have players who can rotate around a little.”

Woodlands meanwhile, will have their work cut out against the current Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League leaders.

Prior to the win over SRC, the Rams also fell 6-1 to Home United at home despite taking the lead first.

Although the Rams managed to beat SRC, they were rather unconvincing in that match as they struggled to create clear chances and needed a header from Bah Mamadou to earn all three points and keep themselves in contention for their first piece of silverware since 2007.

With Milos Jevtic suspended, Bah will once again be tasked to keep Roy O’Donovan quiet after the DPMM hotshot struck a hat-trick against Hougang and his task would be made easier with the return of Walid Lounis from suspension.

Further up the pitch, goalscoring responsibilities will fall to South Korean duo Chang Jo Yoon and Moon Soon Ho although both have been firing blanks in recent games. That said, this will be a perfect opportunity for them to regain their goalscoring touch and try cause an upset.

Suspension: Milos Jevtic (Woodlands)

Brunei DPMM – WDWWW

14/7/14    Hougang United 2-3 Brunei DPMM (StarHub League Cup Group D)

11/7/14    Brunei DPMM 2-2 Balestier Khalsa (StarHub League Cup Group D)

4/7/14        Brunei DPMM 2-1 Albirex Niigata (S) (RHB Singapore Cup QF 2nd Leg)

29/6/14    Albirex Niigata (S) 3-4 Brunei DPMM (RHB Singapore Cup QF 1st Leg)

22/6/14    Harimau Muda 1-4 Brunei DPMM

Woodlands Wellington – WLLDW

11/7/14    Woodlands Wellington 1-0 Singapore Recreation Club (StarHub League Cup Group C)

8/7/14        Woodlands Wellington 1-6 Home United (StarHub League Cup Group C)

1/7/14        Woodlands Wellington 1-3 Courts Young Lions

24/6/14    Home United 0-0 Woodlands Wellington

20/6/14    Woodlands Wellington 1-0 Warriors FC