News • November 16, 2017
Young Lions Look To End Season Positively
Garena Young Lions vs Brunei DPMM
(18 November, Saturday, 7.30pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)
Written by: Phoon Jia Hui
Garena Young Lions goalkeeper Hairul Syirhan is hopeful they can end the season on a victorious note when they take on Brunei DPMM at Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday night.
In their two meetings this season, the Young Lions first held DPMM to a goalless draw in May before suffering a 7-1 reverse in Bandar Seri Begawan slightly over a month ago.
Since their 1-0 victory over Warriors FC on October 14, the Young Lions have since gone on a four-match losing streak but Hairul believes they have the ability to snap this bad run of form.
âThe 0-0 draw against DPMM was a confidence booster for the team, as we got our first point of the season in that game,â he noted. âHence, itâs possible for us to get something out of this game if we work as a team and stay disciplined throughout especially in defence.
âFor me, Iâve to stay focused and keep my defence in shape at all times.â
Having featured in their last two games due to an injury to Zharfan Rohaizad, Hairul is eager to prove himself.
âIâm definitely happy to get  game time for me to show what Iâm capable of,â enthused the 22-year-old who has made eight appearances for Young Lions this season.
âBut at the same time, Iâm disappointed I didn’t get to achieve my personal target which is to play on a regular basis. Iâll take all this positively like I always do and work even harder.â
With the Young Lions not having the best of seasons, Hairul is heartened by the support heâs seen from the fans.
âOur 12th man have been amazing for us throughout, regardless of the result. They have always been there cheering us on and showing their support,â he noted.
âSo I would like to say a big thank you to them and I hope they will continue to support us in our last game to give us that extra boost to get the three points.â
Brunei DPMM are meanwhile similarly eyeing a winning end to their campaign.
The Wasps – who have 14 points from 23 matches – will finish no higher than eighth place this season, which is a far cry from their title-winning season in 2015.
They most recently fell 5-0 to Tampines Rovers at home and Brunei DPMM assistant coach Moksen Mohammad – who stood in for the suspended Steve Kean – feel that the team can improve on their performance.
âThere was a lack of confidence as there were no cooperation among the players and we were easily exposed. Our midfield did not have any teamwork and that was our problem,â he explained.
âTeamwork is very important. Sometimes, the midfield will help out with the defence but it still doesnât work.
âWe will work on the defensive aspect of the game because our defenders throughout the season have been disappointing. Weâre hoping to complete the season (against Garena Young Lions) with a win.â
Garena Young Lions – WLLLL
31/10/17 Home United 4-0 Garena Young Lions
28/10/17 Tampines Rovers 3-0 Garena Young Lions
24/10/17 Garena Young Lions 0-1 Hougang United
21/10/17 Garena Young Lions 0-4 Geylang International
14/10/17 Warriors FC 0-1 Garena Young Lions
Brunei DPMM – WLWLL
11/03/17 Brunei DPMM 0-5 Tampines Rovers
27/10/17 Geylang International 4-1 Brunei DPMM
21/10/17 Brunei DPMM 3-2 Warriors FC
16/10/17 Brunei DPMM 1-4 Balestier Khalsa
07/10/17 Brunei DPMM 7-1 Garena Young Lions
Head to Head (S.League)
07/10/17 Brunei DPMM 7-1 Garena Young Lions
13/05/17 Garena Young Lions 0-0 Brunei DPMM
26/09/16 Brunei DPMM 5-3 Garena Young Lions
19/06/16 Garena Young Lions 1-1 Brunei DPMM
08/04/16 Brunei DPMM 4-1 Garena Young Lions