Source: Borneo Bulletin, March 30, 2013
DPMM FC head coach Vjeran Simunic is leaving nothing to fate as his charges prepare to welcome Woodlands Wellington FC to the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium' tomorrow night.
Woodlands Wellington currently sits fifth in the standings, a staggering four places above DPMM FC in the 12-team table.
"It will be a big game because Woodlands have changed 99% of their team," remarked Simunic during a training session at the Mini Stadium in Jerudong yesterday evening.
"They are a very good team. They are targeting the top three this year and have signed some excellent players," added the Croatian.
Marquee signing, Cho Sung Hwan, joined the Rams in the off-season, and along with former Ajax man, Khalid Hamdaoui, who has scored four times in five outings, Jo-Yoon Jang and Soon-Ho Moon, has been identified as one of Woodlands' main threats.
"We will play to win the game, but we must respect Woodlands because they have made a very good name for themselves," said the 57-year-old coach.
"I will be happy if we can repeat our performances against Hougang and Albirex, but at the moment, we are still building our team. We have four.new players who still need to incorporate with the team," he added.
Tomorrow's clash will mark the first of three games at home in the space of a week, where DPMM FC will have to depend on their strength in squad depth to make it through a tightly packed schedule. DPMM FC will then play Geylang International on April 3 and Tanjong Pagar United on April 7.
Hougang have racked up eight points from their first five games, with Albirex Niigata and Home United both falling at the hands of the rams.
DPMM FC have been boosted by news that Croatian striker Ivan Bosnjak is fit to play in spite of the skull fracture he received against Hougang United earlier in the month. The 34-year-old's involvement will depend upon the Football Association of Singapore's (FAS)verdict as to whether wearing a skull cap, like that of Chelsea's Petr Cech, is deemed acceptable under the league's rules and regulations.
Tales dos Santos, who has not played a competitive match for eight months, is set to make the bench after DPMM FC received a letter from the Brazilian's doctor which confirmed that he would be able to play by March 31st.
DPMM FC's latest addition, Azwan Ali Rahman, is set to make the 18-man squad provided he passes the mandatory fitness test which will be conducted by FAS officials at the Mini Stadium in Jerudong this afternoon. The 21-year-old will be sporting the vacant No 2 jersey should he feature tomorrow.
**P.S. ALL content used in this not-for-profit blog remain the property of their respective owners.