Written by: Shawn Lim

Brunei DPMM vs Garena Young Lions
(Friday, 8 April, 8.15pm, Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium)

Brunei DPMM will welcome Garena Young Lions to the Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium on Friday night as they seek to get back on the winning track in order to retain their Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League title.

The Wasps’ four games unbeaten streak came to an end in their last game after a 2-1 loss to Tampines Rovers and are keen to make up for lost ground against the Young Lions, who are on a five-game losing streak.

However, the defending champions will be wary of Patrick Hesse’s young charges after they gave the Stags a run for their money in a 2-1 loss last week, almost coming close to earning a point.

For Hesse, his side’s performance against Tampines gives him the confidence that they will not be pushovers against the Wasps.

“DPMM have very good offensive players upfront like Rafael Ramazotti, Paulo Sergio and Azwan Ali,” noted Hesse.

“We play every game to win, but sometimes, the opponent is better than us. So if DPMM is better on the day, they will win.

“But if we are able to play like how we did against Tampines, perhaps we can make it difficult for DPMM to beat us.”

However, the Frenchman also warned that his players will need to improve on their concentration after they conceded just before and after half-time in their loss to the Stags.

“We need to play with great concentration, with a will to make an effort, a will to win the offensive and defensive duels,” explained Hesse.

“We must continue to work hard and play with the same spirit and we are sure the can raise the current level of our football even higher. It is only the beginning of how we want to play in the future.”

The Young Lions will also welcome back captain Firdaus Kasman and Taufiq Muqminin, but will still be without the likes of Ryan Syaffiq, Khairul Amri and Zakir Samsudin, while the Wasps will be almost at full strength.

Key Men To Watch

Brunei DPMM: Azwan Ali

Currently the club top-scorer with two goals, Azwan will be eager to add on his tally, as well as create chances for his teammates to get on the scoresheet as well.

If he can do that, last season’s Young Player of The Year might have a chance to get his hands on the coveted Player of The Year award as well.

Garena Young Lions: Benjamin Bertrand

The Frenchman was imperious in between the sticks for the Young Lions in their loss to the Stags, keeping the scoreline respectable by repealing everything that was thrown at him.

Bertrand’s form can blow hot and cold at times, but he will be keen to prove that he can put in consistent performances, week in and week out.

Brunei DPMM – DWDWL

19/03/16  Brunei DPMM 1-2 Tampines Rovers (S.League)
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)

Garena Young Lions – LLLLL

03/04/16  Garena Young Lions 1-2 Tampines Rovers (S.League)
17/03/16  Home United 4-1 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
10/03/16  Garena Young Lions 1-3 Hougang United (S.League)
04/03/16  Warriors FC 2-0 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
25/02/16  Garena Young Lions 0-2 Geylang International (S.League)

Head To Head (S.League)

22/09/15  Courts Young Lions 1-2 Brunei DPMM
23/08/15  Brunei DPMM 2-0 Courts Young Lions
26/07/15  Courts Young Lions 1 – 1 Brunei DPMM
18/06/14  Courts Young Lions 2 – 3 Brunei DPMM
06/04/14  Brunei DPMM 6 – 1 Courts Young Lions