DPMM CONFIDENT OF BOUNCING BACK

Brunei’s only professional club fell to a 2-0 loss to Home United FC at the Clementi Stadium in Singapore in their last game of the first round of the S-League.

An S-League season stretches to 33-game in a season.

After going undefeated for ten long matches home and away, Vjeran Simunic’s men could not make it eleven in a row against the Home United.

“We did not play badly but our defenders briefly lost their focus in the second half,” said Pegiran Waslimin Pengiran Momin, the manager for DPMM.

“But the team’s confidence is still high and we are not going to let the loss affect us.”

After seeing DPMM FC goalkeeper Mohd Wardun Yussof save his first half penalty, Japanese striker turned midfielder Norikazu Murakami made amends for his mistake when he tapped in right back Isa Halim’s shot that ricocheted onto his path.

Three minutes later, the goalscorer turned provider when his low cross from the edge of the box was deflected to Kengne Ludovick, who turned his marker before scoring from six yards out.

“At this moment, I’m upset with the 2-0 loss,” said Simunic (pic) after the match.

“(This is the) first time we lost but football is like that. We had six key players not playing and Home United are one of the top three teams in Singapore.”

Regular defenders Pengiran Sallehuddin Pengiran Damit, Rene Komar, Yusof Salleh and Sairol Hj Sahri were all suspended alongside midfielder Azwan Salleh who was injured while import Oh Ddog Yi from South Korea did not start.

DPMM FC’s next match is against the Young Lions on Saturday at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.