Sengkang Punggol vs DPMM FC

Aide looks to push Dolphins on

Mohd Sham
info@sleague.com

Sengkang caretaker coach Aide Iskandar is aiming to translate their encouraging recent form into a morale boosting win when they welcome title pretenders Brunei DPMM at the Hougang Stadium on Monday evening.

Former national skipper Aide, who holds temporary reigns of first team affairs following the exit of former incumbent Jorg Steinebrunner, has overseen an impressive 1-1 draw against Tampines Rovers and a narrow 2-3 defeat at the hands of the Super Reds.

While acknowledging that news of the departures of both their former German honcho and former chairman Ben Lim departure caused more than a few ripples within the camp, Aide was keen to move on.

“The news definitely came as a shock to the team and we had a meeting where we discussed about it but we have moved on,” he explained.

“At the end of the day, we have to be professionals and do our job and the team morale is good and we have responded as proven in our past two matches.”

Aide also spelt out his notion that regardless of the managerial changes, every player should be inclined to give nothing less than 110% percent on the pitch.

“We shouldn’t talk about the past and we must look towards the future with 18 games left to go,” said Aide.

“Each and every individual here are trying their best to do their job and at the end of the day, they need to justify their place in the team regardless of whether a coach leaves.”

While the decorated defender admitted that DPMM would represent a huge challenge for his charges, Aide expressed his belief that their performance during their clash against the very opponents in March would give them cause for optimism.

“DPMM have clearly shown that they are no pushovers and their coach has done a great job.

“They have good foreign players and also have a few good local players and the main thing about them is that they are a very hardworking and collective side.

“But we had our chances the last time we played them but we didn’t finish them off and be ruthless.

“We have to take our chances and scoring goals is the only way to win games so we have to take any chances that come our way.”

Aide admitted that he is enjoying in his current capacity as first team coach.

“So far, so good and I have enjoyed the last two games,” he added.

“My ‘A’ licence coaching course has really helped me in terms of handling the professional side of things and the support from the players and the chairman has helped a lot too.”

DPMM would be hoping to continue their fine form which has seen them yield back-to-back wins against Geylang United and Balestier Khalsa in the aftermath of being crowned as League Cup champions.

Currently perched in fourth place, the Brunei outfit can propel to second spot should they take advantage of their game in hand and triumph against the Dolphins.

Sengkang will be without the suspended duo of Noh Rahman and Nor Azli Yusoff, while Hiroyuki Yamamoto is carrying a hamstring niggle along with Anthony Bahadur.

DPMM’s Algerian forward Abdel Hamid Berguiga sits this match out through suspension, as does wide midfielder Haji Subhi Abdilah.