DPMM FC will be hoping to continue their unbeaten start in Group ‘A’ of the 2024-2025 Singapore Cup when they meet Young Lions at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore tonight.
The Gegar Gegar men salvaged a last-gasp equaliser at the death during a dramatic 1-1 draw in their group opener against Tampines Rovers.
The Brunei-based outfit fell behind through Seia Kunori’s deflected free-kick in the 80th minute but Nazry Aiman Azaman fired home a spectacular volley with what appeared to be the last kick of the game.
The 20-year-old, who has been a mainstay in the squad, also scored his first competitive senior goal in Singapore football.
On the other hand, tonight’s opponents Young Lions will look to get points on the board in what will be their first appearance of the campaign.
The Brunei-based outfit will be in a good position to qualify with a victory against the Young Lions – who are above them in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) table.
The Young Lions may have a psychological edge over their Bruneian visitors with head coach Jamie McAllister’s charges losing their last two meetings in the SPL this season, conceding six in the process.
However, the Singapore Cup offers a different competition and provides an opportunity for Bruneians to reignite their season.
The Brunei-based outfit, whose best appearance was as finalists in 2018, have not enjoyed the best of starts since the league resumed this year.
They are currently winless in their last five games – with four coming in the league – and will be raring to kick-start the season.
Speaking in a post-match interview in their last match against Balestier Khalsa, Jamie McAllister stressed the importance of getting the basics right to prevent from conceding goals.
He said, “We keep on shooting ourselves in the foot, we get in good positions but then mistakes cost us.” – Fadhil Yunus
