Football: 'Invincibles' season in Singapore Premier League unlikely, says Brunei DPMM coach
SINGAPORE - Brunei DPMM are enjoying their lofty position at the summit of the Singapore Premier League (SPL) with a third of the season gone, but coach Adrian Pennock does not believe his side will go through the entire campaign unbeaten.
With seven wins and two draws, DPMM are the only team yet to taste defeat this term. They lead second-placed Albirex Niigata, last year's champions, by six points.
The Bruneian side will look to extend their excellent run when they take on third-from-bottom Geylang International at the Our Tampines Hub on Saturday (May 11) night.
However, when asked if his side could emulate Albirex's feat in 2018 when they did not lose a league game, Pennock said: "It's not impossible, but we've played every team now, and it'll be very, very difficult to do.
"Every game we played, maybe except (a 7-1 win over) Balestier where they had injuries to key players, hasn't been a walkover, so it'll be a very tall order to go unbeaten all the way through.
"We're just enjoying the moment, but we know we've got to lose sometime, and maybe soon."
The Englishman, who was formerly assistant to Tony Pulis at Premier League side Stoke City, added: "Obviously it's great to be sitting nicely at the top of the tree, but we're there to be shot at."
Pennock, 48, pointed to the fitness work done in pre-season last December - he took his players on daily runs on the hills and in the jungles of Bandar Seri Begawan - as being key to the team's current success.
His foreign imports have also shone. Former Belarus international striker Andrei Varankou is the SPL's leading scorer with 12 goals, while Australian midfielder Blake Ricciuto has also shone, scoring four goals in the last five games.
"The important thing for us has been hard work," said Pennock.
"We have got players who can score goals and win games on their own, but everybody works hard for each other.
"And I think we can still improve. We're not the finished article right now, for sure."
The odds are stacked against Geylang, whose coach Noor Ali faces a major selection headache.
Four players Barry Maguire, Syahiran Miswan, Noor Ariff and Darren Teh are suspended while former Singapore internationals Firdaus Kasman (calf) and Christopher van Huizen (back) are struggling with injuries. Key attacker Shawal Anuar is not match fit after recovering from a serious knee injury.
Noor Ali named six Under-23 players in his starting 11 in last Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Albirex, and said he might have to field even more youngsters against DPMM.
"With our injuries and suspensions this is not the best time to face DPMM, who are one of the most consistent teams in the league," he said.
"But this is an opportunity for my young boys to show if they are able to put in consistent performances. And they are willing to play hard and compete."
Referring to the recent Champions League comebacks by Liverpool and Tottenham Hostpur, Noor Ali quipped: "There have been two big upsets in football already this week. Maybe our game could be the third?"
Old Trafford no longer a 'scary' place to go to, says Pep
MAN CITY 7 ROTHERHAM 0 Sterling, Foden, Jesus, Mahrez, Otamendi and Sane all on target as Man City thrash Rotherham in FA Cup and Manchester City went into seventh heaven. Paul Warne's
Seventh Heaven Full Service Salon - Home | Facebook
I just wanted to THANK YOU for opening the 2 spots for my children. This was the first camp we attended and they had a great experience. The coaches, staff and security were on top of everything and they truly have a gift to working with kids.
Spurs Games Live
AD
fanical.com/San-Antonio-Spurs
Report Ad
Streaming Basketball Guide. Guide to Watching Basketball Games
Mauricio Pochettino has challenged his Tottenham team to back up their new world-class facilities with world-class performances on the pitch. Spurs kicked off a new era for the club in their new
Poch Tells Tottenham To Purchase Players - ca.news.yahoo.com
Double Injury Blow For Spurs Ahead Of EPL Clash With Liverpool Tottenham Hotspur will be without Eric Dier and Serge Aurier for Sunday's English Premier League (EPL) trip to Liverpool, manager
Double injury blow for Tottenham Hotspur ahead of Liverpool
PARMA, Italy (Reuters) - Fabio Quagliarella became Italy's oldest goalscorer as his double helped Roberto Mancini's rejuvenated side thrash 10-man Liechtenstein 6-0 in their second Euro 2020
Football: Veteran Quagliarella helps rejuvenated Italy thrash
Qatar head coach Felix Sanchez has admitted that his team's semifinal against hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday will be the most difficult match yet in the AFC Asian Cup 2019.
Japan leave Asian Cup final dressing room 'spotless' with
A small village in Argentina on Saturday bid farewell to a favorite son, the soccer striker Emiliano Sala, who died along with his pilot last month when his small plane crashed in the English Channel.Friends, family and supporters gathered early Saturday in the village of Progreso, in the country's northeast, for a wake at Mr. Sala's soccer boyhood club, San Martín de Progreso, where his body
Emiliano Sala's Grieving Argentine Hometown Bids Farewell
Neymar hints at joining Real Madrid 2019-03-05. Neymar took up football at an early age and played street games and futsal - an indoor version of the game. He joined the Portuguesa Santista
Neymar hints at joining Real Madrid - World Soccer Talk
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/03/03/neymar-hints-at-joining-real-madrid/
Sao Paulo (AFP) - Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar on Sunday left the door open for a potential move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. The world's most expensive footballer is currently recovering from a foot injury which he suffered on January 23 and has been linked with a return to La Liga ever since joining PSG from Barcelona in 2017.
Unai Emery defended Shkodran Mustafi following the centre-back's mistake during Arsenal's 3-2 defeat to Crystal Palace. The Gunners' top-four hopes were dealt a serious blow after goals from Christian Benteke, Wilfried Zaha and James McArthur sealed a memorable win for the Eagles.
Emery's defense of Mustafi is noble, but it also ignores
Football: DC United's Wayne Rooney sees red for first time in
NEWCASTLE, United Kingdom (AFP) - Liverpool struck late through Divock Origi to move back top of the Premier League with a thrilling 3-2 win at Newcastle on Saturday (May 4) and keep their hopes
Liverpool back on top with Newcastle win but lose Salah
SHANGHAI: Manchester City will return to China this year for the first time since their ill-fated visit of 2016, when a game with cross-town rivals United was called off at the last minute. Pray for no rain: Man City to return to China after Beijing debacle | New Straits Times | Malaysia General Business Sports and Lifestyle News
Pray for no rain: Man City to return to China after Beijing
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock reveals his pride despite losing 2-1 at Arsenal as the Welsh side return to action for the first time since a plane carrying the club's record signing Emiliano Sala
Warnock hails Cardiff's heart as Bluebirds win again for Sala
Real Madrid defender Sergio Reguilon is confident his team can bounce back from a disappointing campaign and says they will "100%" win a major title next season. The left-back told Goal's Albert
Santiago Solari: Title Race 'Not at All' over Despite Real
Abonnieren
Kommentare zum Post (Atom)
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen