The DPMM FC team from yesteryear held a reunion with former head coach Vjeran Simunic at the The Empire Brunei in Jerudong recently.
The Croatian was in town to attend the royal wedding, a decade after managing the country’s professional club across two spells in the Singapore Premier League (formerly S League).
He was reunited with familiar faces who had played during his separate spells in charge of the club from 2008 to 2009 and 2011 to 2013.
Vjeran said, “I like Brunei very much because it reminds me of my hometown in Split along the coast in Croatia.
“I came in 2008 when His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office offered me to join the club.”
Former players Pengiran Sallehuddin bin Pengiran Haji Damit, Sairol Sahari and Shahrazen Said attended the reunion.
Former captain Rosmin Kamis, Wardun Yusof and Shahrul Rizal Rahman also met up and reminisce with the popular tactician.
Vjeran played an instrumental role in the club’s rise in Singapore football after winning the Singapore League Cup in 2009 and 2012. His team in 2009 was also in contention of winning the league title prior to the club’s exit mid-season due to Brunei’s suspension by FIFA.
The 2012 S League Coach of the Year returned to the club after suspension for the national team was lifted and helped the Gegar Gegar men seal a second major trophy. – Fadhil Yunus
