DPMM FC head coach Rui Capela Batista hailed his 10-man charges on their unlikely comeback during a 3-3 draw against Geylang International FC in the Singapore Premier League last Saturday.
The Gegar Gegar men faced an uphill task after going 3-1 down and had a player dismissed after Farshad Noor saw red.
Nevertheless, the home side stunned the seemingly comfortable Eagles as substitute Hakeme Yazid bin Said and Julio Cruz found the net.
The newly-appointed head coach said, “The team’s performance improved fantastically after we played with 10 men.”
He added, “We made an effort and sacrifice and got the point.”
The hosts struggled in the opening stages of the game and allowed Geylang to keep the ball, leading to their opener and going into the break with a 3-1 lead.
The Portuguese admitted, “We didn’t play well in the first half as the other team came strong on us.
“In the second half, we made some modifications in the team. We improved in the middle and try to balance the game.”
The Brunei-based outfit highlighted the importance of Australian defender Patrick Flottmann who is suffering from a long-term injury.
“Everybody knows Patrick is important for us but it is not possible to change until November.
“We have our defenders and they worked very well tonight.”
He continued, “I feel sad because he is a very good player and man and now he will be out maybe for six, seven or eight months.”
The head coach also called the fans to come and support the team in full force as they return to the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.
“I expect the supporters to come again because we need everybody together.”
He concluded, “It will be a tough season ahead with a new coach and new team. I hope they come every time.”
Meanwhile, his opposite number Geylang head coach Mohd Noor Ali was effusive in his praise of home goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski.
He said, “At the end of the day, the goalkeeper saved Brunei DPMM FC. Even against LCS (Lion City Sailors), he saved them.
“He is a very good goalkeeper and I think he has done superb for the team at the start of the season.”
The head coach concluded, “He will be a key player for Brunei DPMM FC because he will save them in a lot of games.” – Fadhil Yunus
