JASON THOMAS
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| DPMM FC coach Vjeran Simunic (left) and Sabah coach Justin Ganai during a photo call at a Press conference at the Jerudong Mini Stadium yesterday. The two teams are set to face-off in a friendly at 8.15pm at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas today. Picture: BT/ Jason Thomas |
The S-League has taken a one-month break as the end of the first round of matches, and with DPMM FC topping the table, they know that such calibre friendly games will put them in good stead ahead of the second round of matches. "At the moment we only have the opportunity to play against Brunei league sides ... Of course, we play among each other but that can get boring," said Simunic yesterday.
"I support the Malaysian leagues and I've watched Sabah on television. I know they have a good team, but some of their players are injured so they can't play tomorrow (today). "All the teams in Malaysia are a good challenge for us and I hope in the future we can have more friendlies against Sabah maybe once a month," added the Croatian.
Justin Ganai was just as receptive of the idea, the Sabah coach saying that he appreciated the invite DPMM FC sent them for the friendly. "We're all very happy to be here. We too need a friendly match like this," said Ganai. "I've heard that DPMM FC have been doing very well, are at the top of the S-League. "I don't know much about their players though," said Ganai.
Sabah are currently 10th in the Malaysian Super League with 28 points from 26 games. DPMM FC, meanwhile, are at the summit of the 13-team S-League with 29 points from 12 games. Their last competitive match was on May 17, where they lost 1-0 to titleholders Home United FC in the first round of the Singapore Cup.
Speaking on the issue of the three foreign players currently on trials at the club, Simunic said they all have their work cut out for them. "It's not easy since Bruneian players have increased their level, their fitness. It's not like before," said Simunic. "They have probably improved by 40 or 50 per cent since 2007. "I may play some of the trial players against Sabah, but I must concentrate on the game against Tampines I must field my first-11 players.
"After all, even if the players are signed they can't be registered in time to play against Tampines," he added. Tickets for tonight's friendly game are going for $5 each and will be sold at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium starting at 9am today. Part of ticket sales will be donated to the Community Development Department's National Orphans Fund.
