Mid-week Madness: Brunei DPMM v Hougang United [SPL 24/25]🐆

Submitted by: Confaderal | 25th Feb 2025

Brunei DS just had their National day celebration, on the day they battled it out with BG Tampines Rovers.

On the 23rd of February, as DPMM slumped to the floor on the final whistle against a victorious BG Tampines Rovers, the (DPMM)players can't help but to rue a missed opportunity. This was a solid defensive display, and BG Tampines were made to work for their solitary goal.

~ So why do I say “opportunity”? Because it was a golden opportunity for DPMM to get a win on their country's 41st National Day.

And thus, I have a feeling that DPMM will try to right the wrongs in this upcoming match against us! "To win one for their country". "To get their first win in 2025".

If we are wasteful with our chances again like how we did with Young Lions, then against a solid DPMM defence, we might be in trouble. This is especially because DPMM will always try to catch their opponents on the break while the opponents are busy toiling away trying to break DPMM's defence.

What do I mean? let's dive into this match preview: Brunei DPMM v Hougang United [SPL 24/25]! 🩸

DPMM's Gambit

DPMM never had a thing for marauding wingbacks or sweeper keepers. They old-school, man! But that's also the reason they're solid defensively. A case in point: DPMM is one of the top four team in terms of least goals conceded in the league. They should be higher up the league table IF they only scored more goals.

I suppose McAllister(the coach) knows this, that's why DPMM is willing to let opponents have a crack at their defence in order to lure the opponents in their half. They know their defence can stay solid...and while the opponents are busy toiling and trying to break past DPMM's defence, that's when a thoughtful ball-over-the-top finds Miguel Oliveira for a counter-attack!

To further emphasise how I think they've cleverly deployed their strength in defence as a form of indirect attack is how teams will throw more players forward to break their stubborn defence. DPMM will lull their opponents into thinking that "we just need one more body in attack to break this DPMM defence", then BAM! Oliveira is running towards goal with the ball.

This is De Zerbi level of effectiveness.

And it’s also out of necessity, as they are out of the attacking services of the mercurial Hakeme Yazid. Hakeme Yazid and Abdul Muiz Sisa have been banned by the FABD from travelling outside of Brunei for football after what transpired for the Brunei national team in Russia. Since this match will be at Jalan Besar Stadium, the advantage will be with Hougang this time.

Please Hougang, capitalise on this! 🙏

Absence of Jovan mugosa

It was sad to see what happened in the Young Lions match last Saturday. While Fairuz Fazli(YL) tussled with Mugi(Jovan Mugosa) , the latter crumbled into a heap soon after. Mugi clutched his hamstring and was screaming in pain. Fairuz played on and crossed the ball to Amir Syafiz to score from this incident. Both players were even bemused/amused, thinking Mugi feinted the injury I supposed.

Were the two kids right in playing on? Absolutely, we think. There was no foul and no head collision.

We just expected our Hougang players to react better to assume the ref isn’t going to blow.

There was also a case later on, when we’re attacking in the YL half of the pitch when there was a YL player on the ground. Captain Nazrul decided to put the ball out as courtesy. Mere minutes later, that same player came back on to the pitch.

We think our players should just play on in this case as the injury was not caused by us. It’s still a fair game and as long as the ref didn’t blow the whistle, it is our right to continue playing. It might sound petty, but this happens in continental football too, and if the local league doesn't adjust to "playing to the whistle", then surely we will be the ones losing out. So play to the whistle. Train ourselves to be aware of these situations. Continental teams will not hesitate to play on unless a leg is broken or there's a head collision.

That being said, Mugi will be out of action for this upcoming match. In his absence, Nazrul came on, proving the depth in our bench in the YL game. For this DPMM game though, we may see a return to action for either Anders Aplin or Nazhiim Harman. Only time will tell. In any case, these boys have shown time and again how reliable they are.

Mugi screaming in pain during the last match. :camera_with_flash: SPL Youtube

Looking for our first clean sheet

The first clean sheet of the Robert Eziakor era still beckons. This DPMM team represent a low hanging fruit because at the moment, they're quite toothless in attack besides going for a counter attack. Long gone are the days of Andrey Varankov. If we score first and play a cautious game against DPMM, then the onus will be on them to score and leave gaps we can exploit.

Let's hope Zaiful get's his first clean sheet of the Robert Eziakor era!

Zaiful has 3 clean sheets this year overall. Hope we can get one more! :camera_with_flash: Soccerway

How do we break them down?

We're not coaches, but we're of the opinion that set pieces will be the way to break down a team who's hesitatnt to attack at the moment. If Zulfahmi or Shahdan can have opportunities for free kicks around the penalty area, we have a chance to hurt them.

Shodai Yokoyama will also be pivotal in providing a route to goal through the middle as we're pretty sure DPMM will look to clamp down our attacks from the flanks.

As such, it is important that we have more bodies in midfield this time.

C'mon Hougang! Let's get the win this time around! Let's get a win before the fasting month of Ramadhan and happy fasting to our muslim players! Selamat Berpoce! #1H1H. United! United! United!

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Brunei DPMM vs Hougang Quick Report:

- MISSES FOR DPMM: Abdul Mu'iz Sisa & Hakeme Yazid will miss this game due to being banned from travelling

- MISSES FOR HOUGANG: Jovan Mugosa will be missed due to an injury from the Young Lions match.

- Dangermen: Miguel Oliveira and Azwan Ali

- Possible return for Anders Aplin to the starting lineup

- Young Lions and BG Tampines Rovers were constantly made aware of DPMM's counter-attack prowess.

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Can our defence get their first clean sheet?

• 0%Yes
• 0%I don't think so