SINGAPORE - The early Singapore Premier League title talk had revolved around the usual suspects; defending champions Albirex Niigata, local powerhouses Home United and Tampines Rovers, as well as big spenders Hougang United.
But midway through the first round of fixtures, only overlooked Brunei DPMM remain unbeaten - even after tough games against Home (1-0), Albirex (0-0) and Tampines (2-1).
DPMM coach Adrian Pennock told The Straits Times: "Nobody were talking us pre-season but there can always be surprises in the league and Balestier (Khalsa, their opponents on Saturday, April 13, at the Bishan Stadium) are also third now on merit.
"They are good going forward and we need to show up if we are to get a positive result and keep this run going.
"Momentum is so important in a league season. Albirex had a fantastic unbeaten run throughout 2018 to win the league and hopefully ours will continue on Saturday."
Former Belarus international Andrei Varankou has started well with three goals as Pennock has successfully integrated him and the other two new imports - Australian midfielder Blake Ricciuto and English centre-back Charlie Clough - alongside DPMM's long-serving locals.
Pennock, 48, took over on Dec 1. The Englishman said: "It is important we got the right people and characters in the team. The imports we got from 30 trialists from all over the world are excellent, and the locals have just been these honest players who want to learn.
"My job was first to get them fit, strong and organised and work on team spirit and bonding."
His side are tactically flexible (able to switch between three or four at the back) and also mentally resilient (DPMM played with 10 men for 40 minutes against Albirex after Najib Tarif was sent off).
Balestier will be no pushovers despite having lost their captain and goalkeeper Zaiful Nizam. He ruptured his Achilles' tendon and will be out for about four months.
Tigers coach Khidhir Khamis will have to rely on the untested duo of Zacharial Leong and Faris Danial during the Singapore international's absence.
Khidhir said: "Zaiful is an integral part of how we play and his absence is a big blow on and off the pitch, but we have a squad ready to take up the responsibility of leading and rallying each other until he returns."
Balestier have scored eight goals after five league games - behind only Tampines who have managed 12 - with forwards Sime Zuzul and Kristijan Krajcek a threat and 19-year-old Daniel Goh impressing on the right wing.
Khidhir said:"We had a short pre-season, so we are still a work in progress. But I have been pleased with the players' willingness to accept change from a soak and strike strategy to more expansive football.
"We still need to improve in terms of intensity and how we attack and defend. The players are responding in training and we will be a much better side as the season goes along."
Aston Villa's Jack Grealish was punched by a pitch-invading Birmingham fan in a shocking incident during Sunday's Championship clash, but the midfielder had the last laugh as he scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 win over their bitter rivals. Grealish was in the Birmingham penalty area in the 10th
Jack Grealish latest: Man charged with assault gets death
Live match reaction for the Manchester United VS Watford game that took place today at old Trafford in the premier league finishing 2-1 to United with the goals scored by Rashford and Martial.
Rashford and Martial give United win over Watford - Football
UPDATE 1-Soccer-Hatem wonder strike secures Qatar upset of South Korea. Qatar's Abdulaziz Hatem scored with a stunning late strike as the 2022 World Cup hosts
Qatar knock South Korea out of Asian Cup, Latest Football
Neil Warnock says Emiliano Sala tragedy most difficult week of his career The light aircraft carrying Emiliano Sala disappeared over the English Channel a week ago as the 28-year-old flew to
Football: Warnock says Sala tragedy is most difficult week of
He told Sky Sports, having seen the Red Devils grind out a 0-0 draw at Liverpool in their last trip to a fellow title hopeful: "Manchester United's trip to Chelsea on is a huge game for the
Ramahlwe Mphahlele: Nigeria match a must-win for Bafana Bafana
'It was my honour to work for the late and much loved Khun Vichai': Sacked Claude Puel pays tribute to tragic Leicester City owner. Leicester City sacked Claude Puel as manager after 4-1 defeat by
up
Synonyms for keep up at Thesaurus.com with free online thesaurus, antonyms, and definitions. Find descriptive alternatives for keep up.
LONDON (AFP) - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been rewarded by Manchester United for engineering a remarkable turnaround in the club's fortunes since he took over from the sacked Jose Mourinho in December..
Football: Five games that tipped the scales in Ole Gunnar
Antonio hurts Spurs again - straitstimes.com
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso believes his growing world championship lead "means nothing" and that the title race is still wide open. The Spaniard won in Germany to move 34 points clear of Red Bull's
Man City v Liverpool: The best ever English title race?
Manchester City were shocked 3-2 by Crystal Palace at home on Saturday, suffering their second defeat in three Premier League matches to lose ground on Liverpool in the title race.
Manchester City suffer shock 3-2 Premier League defeat by
Rescuers ended their search on Thursday for the plane carrying Premier League football player Emiliano Sala, which disappeared over the English Channel three days ago, after saying there was little chance anyone aboard had survived.
Football news - Rescuers end search for missing plane
They'll need every part of the side to be in form to emerge with two positive results and Mane can be key to any success thanks to being on top of his own game, says the boss. Indeed, Klopp
Jürgen Klopp: We're not finished, so let's play and see what
watch champions league live streaming juventus
watch coppa america live streaming xfinity
watch champions league live streaming now free
watch premier league stream reddit
watch coppa america live streaming without cable
watch champions league semi final draw live stream
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
watch coppa america live streaming mexico
watch indian premier league live stream online
watch premier league live streaming youtube
watch champions league live streaming vf
watch champions league live streaming xfinity
watch soccer online free live streaming hd
how to watch uefa champions league live streaming
watch champions league final online free live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming english
www.watch premier league live stream.com
watch soccer online free streaming live reddit
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online
watch premier league live stream hd
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming free online
free watch champions league live streaming
watch live soccer streaming on iphone
watch coppa america live streaming zip
watch afghanistan premier league live stream
watch coppa america live streaming tv
watch coppa america live streaming espn
watch champions league draw live stream total sportek
watch epl live streaming free no sign up
watch coppa america live streaming philippines
watch premier league live streaming jamaica
watch soccer live streaming zee tv
watch soccer live live football streaming cr7
free live football streams watch live streaming tv premier league
watch coppa america live streaming xbox
watch soccer live football streaming - ronaldo7.net
watch soccer online free streaming live p2p
watch live streaming soccer manchester united
watch champions league live streaming malaysia
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming free
watch coppa america live streaming video
watch live streaming of premier league football
watch live soccer game today
watch barclays premier league online live streaming
watch usa soccer live stream
khan tv pw watch indian premier league 2018 live streaming
super soccer tv live streaming persib
watch soccer online free live streaming livetv ru
watch champions league live streaming video
watch coppa america live streaming india vs england
watch us soccer live stream
watch champions league live streaming xbox one
watch soccer live - live football streaming
watch everton vs tottenham live soccer streaming
watch coppa america live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch live stream soccer games online free
watch coppa america live streaming sctv
watch champions league live streaming zee tv
watch soccer live streaming qatar vs philippines
watch coppa america live streaming yify
watch coppa america live streaming pc
watch soccer online free streaming live no registration
watch coppa america live streaming juventus
watch champions league live streaming live free
watch soccer live streaming qatar
watch champions league live streaming bt sport
watch soccer live streaming hd
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online youtube
watch coppa america live streaming bola
super soccer tv live streaming piala dunia
watch coppa america live streaming free online
watch english premier league live streaming
watch soccer games live stream free
watch premier league live streaming online
watch champions league live streaming canada
#arsenalfantv #insegreto #zidane #visubal #risate #coyg #Vip45 #commento #freekicks #oasisandbeatles #myfootballuniverse #Bar #chocolate #realmadridcf #barcelona #cr7 #freekickerz #linkstreaming #lionelmessi #football #ronaldo #chocolatecoffee #GarageCafeDxb #frasirap #knuckleball #serieatim #championsleague #gooners #realmadrid #copaamerica #MSport #watchlive #livestreams #Liamgallagher #pagani #sumbertv #liverpoolfc #footballschedule #kopisusu #freekick #calciatoribrutti #rockstar #golazo #coys #romania #liverpoolcity #bundesliga #PartyTime #Suarez #salah #soccerbible #juventus #vip #acmilan #henderson #battuteepiche #seriea #manchestercity #beatifulgame #meunier #elcasico #liverpool
No comments:
Post a Comment