SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE
Geylang International v Brunei DPMM
Our Tampines Hub, 8.30pm
Brunei DPMM are enjoying their view from the summit a third into the Singapore Premier League season, but coach Adrian Pennock does not believe his side will end the campaign unbeaten.
With seven wins and two draws, they are the only unbeaten team. They lead champions Albirex Niigata (17 points) by six points.
DPMM will look to extend their excellent run against third-from-bottom Geylang International at Our Tampines Hub tonight.
However, when asked if his side could emulate Albirex's feat last year, when the Japanese team 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.
"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, 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 league's leading scorer with 12 goals, while Australian midfielder Blake Ricciuto has also impressed, scoring four goals in the last five games.
"The important thing for us has been hard work," said Pennock.
"We have players who can score goals and win games on their own, but everybody works hard for each other.
"We can still improve. We're not the finished article for sure."
The odds are stacked against Geylang, whose coach Noor Ali faces a major selection headache.
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 XI in last Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Albirex and may have to field even more youngsters against DPMM.
But he said: "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 this week's Champions League comebacks by Liverpool and Tottenham, he quipped: "There have been two big upsets in football already this week. Maybe our game could be the third?"
> Man City title hopes hit by shock defeat at City's Raheem Sterling during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City, at St James' Park, in Newcastle, Britain
Football: Man City title hopes hit by shock defeat at Newcastle
England captain Harry Kane insists the Three Lions' squad are too united to be divided by the tension of club rivalries surrounding the Premier League title race and upcoming Champions League ties.
Football: Kane insists club rivalries will not split England camp
Wasteful Barca held to goalless draw at defiant Lyon LYON, France (Reuters) - Barcelona were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at Olympique Lyonnais in their Champions League last-16 first leg on
Wasteful Barca held to goalless draw at defiant Olympique
Football: Ikhsan Fandi scores in third successive match for
Football: Australian Joe Palatsides set to replace Belgian
Double injury blow for Spurs ahead of Liverpool clash. Double injury blow for Spurs ahead of Liverpool clash Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group A - England v Czech Republic
Football: Double injury blow for Spurs ahead of Liverpool clash
The Toffees are without three of their defenders as Yerry Mina, Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka are all sidelined while Lucas Digne and Idrissa Gueye both are likely to feature for Silva's side. Digne was suspended and missed their 3-1 loss to Wolves while Gueye has recovered from a groin problem.
Pep Guardiola impressed by "incredible" Brendan Rodgers
Solskjaer extends perfect record as Manchester United beat
Choosing a perfect type of hammer for metalsmithing or jewelry work is rarely as simple as picking up the one closest to you. Different types of hammers have different uses and each style is perfectly suited for its intended use. Download a pdf of Types of Metalsmithing Hammers. You can also read a text description of this information below.
Champions League: Manchester City late comeback stuns Schalke
Massimiliano "Max" Allegri (Italian pronunciation: [massimiˈljaːno alˈleːɡri, - alˈlɛː-]; born 11 August 1967) is an Italian former professional football player and current manager, who most recently managed Juventus. As a player, Allegri was a midfielder who spent his career playing
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri during a past press conference. [Courtesy] Maurizio Sarri insists he expects to avoid being sacked as Chelsea manager if his troubled side can put together a
Chelsea could axe transfer after Maurizio Sarri decision
Newport County goalkeeper Joe Day made a quick exit from his side's FA Cup tie celebrations after learning his wife had gone into labour. League Two Newport set up an FA Cup tie against Manchester
Newport keeper Joe Day sprints off pitch after Middlesbrough
Suspended Thierry Henry set to lose Monaco job | Sports News
Chhetri rues missed chances in game of 'small margins' Safuwan scores to salvage Singapore draw in Hong Kong friendly . Singapore geared up for Tuesday's all-important AFC Asian Cup qualifier
Singapore prepare in Doha desert heat for crucial Asian Cup
0 comments:
Post a Comment