Super Reds vs DPMM FC

Jeon looking for DPMM scalp

Gary Koh
info@sleague.com

The fixture could not have come at a better time for in-form Super Reds as they host DPMM FC at Yishun in their league encounter on Tuesday evening.

It presents the ideal opportunity for last season’s runners-up to avenge their 2-1 loss against the same opponents in Bandar Seri Begawan.

After a slow start to the season, the Koreans have won their last three league games in a row to move up to their present fifth-spot placing.

The same could not be said for DPMM, who are now facing a reality check after a brilliant start to their debut league campaign.

Recent defeats to Home United and Woodlands Wellington in Singapore have cast doubts on the Bruneians’ ability to sustain their third position.

Save for the Home match where four regulars were suspended, their Croatian coach Vjeran Simunic has fielded virtually the same lineup in every game.

Even the battle to partner local striker Shahrazen Said has been won by Algerian forward Abdel Hamid Berguiga, ahead of former Super Reds ace Oh Ddog Yi.

Their tactical predictability does not surprise Super Reds coach Jeon Kyeong Joon, who has observed this trend in the league.

“Teams here generally often field the same best eleven players all the time as they do not have the squad depth,” he noted.

The former K-League stalwart is looking forward to his team extending their good run as they make up ground with the pacesetters.

“In football, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose,” he said.

“But tomorrow’s game is important for both sides, especially for us as we try to get the three points and avenge the loss in Brunei.

“It is very important for us to put full concentration into the game, plan and work hard to try to get a win.”

Among the DPMM players who are looking to correct their recent woeful performances includes Oh, who will be making his return to Yishun since the move to his present employers in pre-season.

While Jeon believes his former charge could impress against his former club as he did in Brunei, he sympathizes with the latter’s current predicament as an out-of-favour player in Simunic’s plans.

“Oh has good skill and technique, but sometimes he plays much more with his heart than his brain,” he said.

“I have previously coached him and I know what kind of person and player he is. Now it is his present coach’s turn to decide how best he can use him.”

Meanwhile he will not have Park Kang Jin available, after the forward was sent off in his side’s 3-1 over Gombak United in their last game.

With the Woodlands game three days after the fixture and four other Super Reds one yellow each away from an automatic one-match suspension, the last thing the coach needs is more enforced absences in his thin squad, and he will be asking them to keep their tempers in check to avoid unnecessary trouble.