SINGAPORE - The early Singapore Premier League title talk had revolved around the usual suspects; defending champions Albirex Niigata, local powerhouses Home United and Tampines Rovers, as well as big spenders Hougang United.
But midway through the first round of fixtures, only overlooked Brunei DPMM remain unbeaten - even after tough games against Home (1-0), Albirex (0-0) and Tampines (2-1).
DPMM coach Adrian Pennock told The Straits Times: "Nobody were talking us pre-season but there can always be surprises in the league and Balestier (Khalsa, their opponents on Saturday, April 13, at the Bishan Stadium) are also third now on merit.
"They are good going forward and we need to show up if we are to get a positive result and keep this run going.
"Momentum is so important in a league season. Albirex had a fantastic unbeaten run throughout 2018 to win the league and hopefully ours will continue on Saturday."
Former Belarus international Andrei Varankou has started well with three goals as Pennock has successfully integrated him and the other two new imports - Australian midfielder Blake Ricciuto and English centre-back Charlie Clough - alongside DPMM's long-serving locals.
Pennock, 48, took over on Dec 1. The Englishman said: "It is important we got the right people and characters in the team. The imports we got from 30 trialists from all over the world are excellent, and the locals have just been these honest players who want to learn.
"My job was first to get them fit, strong and organised and work on team spirit and bonding."
His side are tactically flexible (able to switch between three or four at the back) and also mentally resilient (DPMM played with 10 men for 40 minutes against Albirex after Najib Tarif was sent off).
Balestier will be no pushovers despite having lost their captain and goalkeeper Zaiful Nizam. He ruptured his Achilles' tendon and will be out for about four months.
Tigers coach Khidhir Khamis will have to rely on the untested duo of Zacharial Leong and Faris Danial during the Singapore international's absence.
Khidhir said: "Zaiful is an integral part of how we play and his absence is a big blow on and off the pitch, but we have a squad ready to take up the responsibility of leading and rallying each other until he returns."
Balestier have scored eight goals after five league games - behind only Tampines who have managed 12 - with forwards Sime Zuzul and Kristijan Krajcek a threat and 19-year-old Daniel Goh impressing on the right wing.
Khidhir said:"We had a short pre-season, so we are still a work in progress. But I have been pleased with the players' willingness to accept change from a soak and strike strategy to more expansive football.
"We still need to improve in terms of intensity and how we attack and defend. The players are responding in training and we will be a much better side as the season goes along."
Few of the 24 women's World Cup teams arriving in France for next month's tournament will bear the weight of expectation quite like reigning champions the United States. Holders U.S. shrug off
Soccer: Holders U.S. Shrug off Weight of World Cup
Singaporean Akbar Nawas has been named the I-League's best coach after leading Chennai City to their first title earlier this month. The Indian team swept seven out of 10 categories at the I-League awards and trophy presentation ceremony at the Taj Corramandel in Chennai on Wednesday.
Singapore's Akbar is greatest coach in I-League, Soccer
Speed is key for Socceroos. Australia's Tom Rogic has been tipped by national coach Graham Arnold to be one of the stars of the Asian Cup for the defending champions. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE.
Sport: Boyle was a key for Socceroos: Arnold - PressFrom
Football: Grief in Sevilla as former star Jose Antonio Reyes killed in car crash MADRID (AFP) - Former Arsenal, Real Madrid and Spain star Jose Antonio Reyes has been killed in a car crash, his hometown club Sevilla said on Saturday (June 1).
Former Spain and Arsenal striker Jose Antonio Reyes killed in
Fulham secured their first clean sheet of the season with some dogged defending in a 0-0 draw with Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday. The hosts, looking for a second successive
Football: Fulham dig deep to deny Newcastle and earn first
sportstons.com/soccer/football-fulham-dig-deep-to-deny-newcastle-and-earn-first-clean-sheet/
Football: Fulham dig deep to deny Newcastle and earn first clean sheet LONDON (REUTERS) - Fulham secured their first clean sheet of the season with some dogged defending in a 0-0 draw with Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday (Dec 22).
Football: Fulham dig deep to deny Newcastle and earn first
Madrid (AFP) - A Spanish court on Wednesday acquitted former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell, who spent nearly two years in pre-trial custody, of money laundering. Rosell, his wife and four others, were accused of "large-scale money laundering" of close to 20 million euros ($23 million) since 2006, relating to television rights and
Spain court acquits former FC Barcelona president of money
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/04/24/spain-court-acquits-former-fc-barcelona-president-of-money-laundering/
Madrid (AFP) - A Spanish court on Wednesday acquitted former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell, who spent nearly two years in pre-trial custody, of money laundering. Rosell, his wife and four others, were accused of "large-scale money laundering" of close to 20 million euros ($23 million) since 2
Four fans get stadium ban. TV cameras caught a home supporter hurling vitriol at Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling during the 2-0 win and the club have since said they will not hesitate to
When fans get banned for life from sports stadiums - The
UEFA says anti-racism protocol not followed in Koulibaly case. correct anti-racism protocol had not been followed during the Italian league game to abuse during the game before he was sent
UEFA says anti-racism protocol not followed in Koulibaly case
Wi-Fi Signal Strength: What Is a Good Signal And How Do You Measure It A quick overview of the required Wi-Fi signal strength for different online activities. Wireless signal strength is measured in dBm (decibel milliwatts) and is, somewhat confusingly, expressed only as negative values.
How to Read Cell Phone Signal Strength The Right Way
Zinedine Zidane allays fears over Cristiano Ronaldo injury final later this month.The club's all-time record goalscorer was replaced at half-time during Sunday's 2-2 Clasico draw with
Cristiano Ronaldo provides injury update after limping out of
Hazard paid tribute to departing Chelsea teammate Fabregas (Action Images via Reuters) Hudson-Odoi is eager for further opportunities and knows he could be given them due to Chelsea's injury
Hazard's kind words for departing Fabregas - futaa.com
Van Gaal's claims seem at odds with the more entertaining football played by United since Solskjaer started a reign that looks set to bring him the manager's job on a permanent basis.
Solskjaer Boosted by Mourinho's Work, Claims Van Gaal
A recently uncovered piece of sophisticated malware targeting Linux provides attackers with remote control of the infected systems, Intezer's security researchers have discovered. Called HiddenWasp, the threat is active and enjoys zero-detection rate in all major anti-virus systems, the
The Kemba Walker Free-Agency Paradox | Bleacher Report
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 23, 2019, with the headline 'Rival fans in S'pore believe title race still wide open'. Print Edition | Subscribe
Nicole Chia, News & Top Stories - The Straits Times
0 comments:
Post a Comment