DPMM FC continue slide

Fall to third straight S-League loss

DPMM FC slumped to their third straight Singapore League (S-League) loss when they fell 2-0 to Albirex Niigata (S) FC last night, with the tides definitely having turned for Brunei's only professional club after leading the table for most of the campaign.

A brace from Yasuhiro Yamakoshi, who scored in the 33rd and 85th minute at the Jurong East Stadium in Singapore, was enough to push the Japanese side to the top of the table where they displace defending champions Tampines Rovers FC with their fifth win in a row.

Combined with Home United FC's 7-3 win against Geylang United FC in last night's other tie, the result means that DPMM FC have now slipped to fourth with their fourth S-League loss of the season.

The slump which has coincided with the departure of Brazilian striker Rodrigo Gral late May is all the more worrying considering they have only scored one goal in their last four games, which includes their 1-0 loss to titleholders Home United in the Singapore Cup on May 17.

The recent run of form has been the worst that Vjeran Simunic has seen his men go through during his two spells in charge of the club, and speaking after last night's loss, the Croatian was noticably dejected.

"This is what we've been afraid of since before, this tough schedule," said the coach, referring to the past few games that the side has been forced to play against the traditional powerhouses of Singapore football.

"I expected a game like this. Now Albirex are on top and maybe they can be the new champions.

"(Captain) Rosmin Hj Kamis was close to scoring an equaliser in the second half but the goalkeeper pulled off a fantastic save. It could have been a draw but we conceded a second goal and when you lose 2-0 you can't say much.

"The only mistake we did in the first half ... it led to the goal.

"We pushed like usual and attacked them in the second half ... held them inside their box. But then they went on a counter-attack and scored the second," he explained.

The suspension of Brazilian defender Tales Ricarte dos Santos did hurt the visitors, with veteran Pg Sallehuddin Pg Hj Damit playing the full 90 minutes in his place.

The match also marked the debut of Brazilian striker Patrick Roberto Daniel Da Silva who was signed on the June 29 S-League transfer deadline.

"I think he didn't play so bad but he needs more time to adapt," said Simunic.

DPMM FC can take a positive from yesterday's results though.

They face Geylang United next on Saturday, knowing full and well the team will still be reeling after last night's loss to Home United who had French striker Frederic Mendy to thank after he scored a six-minute second-half hat-trick.The Brunei Times