DPMM FC coach has defensive headache

DPMM FC head coach Vjeran Simunic faces the headache of having four of his first-choice defenders on the suspended list going into tonight's S-League match against Home Utd at the Clementi Stadium.

Rne Komar,Yuosf Salleh,Sairol Saari - all collected their fourth yellow cards of the season in their last league games,while Pg Sallehuddin was ent-off in the same game.

Though the backbone of the team's defence will be forced to watch tonight's gamefrom the stands, Simunic is confident that the replacements will be up to the task.

He was quoted as saying that Abd Aziz Tamit, Helmi Zambin, Safari Wahit and Hardi Bujang might start, with the latter of a player capable of causing as damage down the flanks as Sairol.

But no matter who starts tonight, Simunic will remember that the suspended quartet have conceded only eight goals all season.Having started all 10 games, the team will have hard time adjusting to the new faces on the pitch.

For Home Unites's coach PN Sivaji, tonight's match is crucila in setting their titles hopes back on track.

Seventh in the league, the Protectors will be looking to maintain their undefeated record in the Clementi Stadium this season and inflict DPMM their first loss of their debut season.

"We are playing one of the league leaders so it is a high motivation for the players", he was quoted as saying on the S-League website.

"There is a lot of talk that the league is out of our hands but mathematically, it is not over yet for us.

"If we can't beat DPMM then we should seriously question that our title aspirations.I have no issue with the boys' desire and motivation. They are always ready to give 100 percent.

"We can play badly and win 1-0 and I will be perfectly happy with that. Three points is what I am looking for ... to show that we are still in the running for the league title," added the former Singapore national team coach.

Simunic has identified Brazilian midfielder Peres de Oliveira, Japanese striker Norikazu Murakami and the Cameroon duo Valero Hick and striker Kengne Ludovick as players to watch for.