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DPMM raring to go in S.League adventure
Gary Koh
info@sleague.com
Brunei club Duli Pengiran Muda Makhota (DPMM) are the new additions to the 12-team S.League for the 2009 season, replacing Chinese club Dalian Shide Siwu.
Established in 2000, the sultanate outfit had been playing in the Malaysian league in the last three seasons prior to their latest move.
They were also the first foreign invitees in the Singapore Cup and have been a regular presence in the last five editions of the tournament.
With their inclusion, DPMM are the third foreign team — and the first from Southeast Asia — in the league along with Japanese club Albirex Niigata (Singapore) and Super Reds of Korea Republic.
A signing ceremony was conducted at Jalan Besar on Tuesday afternoon to formally welcome Brunei’s sole professional club into Singapore football.
Under the deal, the Brunei team will feature in the S.League for two years, subject to an annual review on their on- and off-pitch performances.
DPMM vice-chairman YAM Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahim is delighted his club are embarking on their first full campaign in Singapore.
“The idea of playing in the S.League actually first came in 2006 when we were involved in the Singapore Cup,” he revealed.
“However the situation then did not permit it as we were playing in the Malaysian League.”
With these concerns on the backburner, DPMM are looking forward to their first full S.League season.
“The S.League is very competitive and among one of the top ten professional leagues in Asia,” he added.
“We want a competitive league and have found it here. This is the competition of a high standard and it will a tough challenge for us to do well.
“It is also interesting for us as we are not just facing the local teams, but also the overseas sides from Korea and Japan.”
S.League Chief Executive Officer Winston Lee is happy to welcome DPMM onboard and believes the team has what it takes to succeed on and off the pitch.
“One major pull for DPMM joining the S.League is the different styles of play they will get from competing against local and foreign teams,” he said.
“It took a while for us before we could get them in, but it was well worth the wait.
“We are impressed by the management capability of the club. They are financially healthy, professional and well-run.”
With the exception of a few Friday matches, DPMM will play most of their home games in the 30,000-seater Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Leading the team in their maiden Singapore campaign will be Croatian coach Vjeran Simunic, who is also the Brunei national team head coach.
Unlike in previous seasons in Malaysia where the Malaysians would be considered as “locals” alongside the natives, DPMM will be fielding the cream of Brunei football this season.
They will be supplemented by four foreigners among the six currently under consideration, including Croatian defender Rene Komar who was previously involved with the team in the Singapore Cup from 2006 to 2008.
Key locals who are likely to make a splash in the 2009 season are goalkeeper Wardun Yussof and striker Shahrazen Said.
27-year-old Wardun can be called upon to provide composure and leadership behind the defence with his command in the box and safe pair of hands.
A key player in the Brunei national team, 23-year-old hotshot Shahrazen was joint top-scorer in the Malaysian Super League in 2007. The nippy forward poses a threat to opposing defences with his pace, fluid movement and sharp finishing.
Despite their familiarity with Singapore clubs, DPMM have set themselves a modest target of finishing in top six and looking to learn the lessons and avoid the pitfalls that had befallen their foreign predecessors. |
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