Brunei DPMM FC Take On Kedah
By Alex How

Bandar Seri Begawan - After their first tough season in the Malaysia Premier League, Brunei DPMM FC managed to gain promotion to the top flight of the 2006/ 2007 Malaysian Super League.

Brunei DPMM FC defeated Pahang 2-1 in the two-leg of Super League playoff end of last season to step their foot into the Super League.

Brunei DPMM FC will start their Super League campaign against their old foe Group A champions Kedah at Stadium Darul Aman, Alor Setar tonight. Buketa Ranko expects this to be a tougher season and wants the players tocome home with a win.

"Kedah have good supporters, good imports, it will be tough, but we have always played well against them," said Ranko.

Brunei DPMM FC were held to a goalless draw in Alor Setar last season, before defeating Kedah 2-1 and a classic demolition 5-1 win in the final round. "But Super League is a strong league, the team and. pre-season preparation must be in excellent level," said Ranko.

We have started a month earlier than the others, to date we started three months ago." However, the coach was not satisfied with the progress and the team will surely miss their out of contract top scorer Rodrigo Tosi.

Ironically, it was Tosi's double salvo in the second leg of the playoff to defeat Pahang and brought the team into the Super League. "We have only one import player Rene Kornar from last season, and Rodrigo unfortunately will leave us, but we have brought in two import players on loan from the local league," added Ranko.

Ranko welcomes the new signing of Cameroon's Viban Bayong and Japanese Ito Dan, both from B-League champions QAF FC. "These two players have played in the local league which ended more than six months ago, their fitness level are still in doubt. They will feature in the league when they are ready."

But the determined head coach insists that the local players are capable of playing against the strong teams. "I am coach, I do not think about problem, I have my local players who have shown they can play against big teams. I hope in the first match, they can show good performance."

"We have also recruited five U-21 players, this is good for the team, and after some time, I want these players to be able to play for a longer period, not just following the rules."

In the Malaysian Super League ruling, the league requires at least one U-21 player to start the game, and another to start on the bench. Ranko also calls on the support of the local crowd, to support and help the team especially if they were down. Brunei DPMM FC's striker Mohd Shahrazen Said calls on his teammates to put up some good performance in their opener against Kedah.

"We will try our best and look for the first three points in the opening match this Saturday," said Shahrazen. "I am happy and excited to play in the Super League, and we hope to bring back the glory like we enjoyed in the 1999 Malaysia Cup."

The 2006/2007 season will feature Brunei DPMM FC, Negri Sembilan (defending champions), Malacca Telecom, Perlis, Perak, MPPJ, Penang, Pahang, Selangor, Kedah (Premier League Group A champions), Malacca (Premier League Group B champions), Johor FC, Terengganu and Sarawak.

Goalkeepers: Mohd Wardun Yussof, Pg Hamzah Hj Abd Rahman, Alizanda Sitom Defenders: Sahrulrizal, Zulkifli Duraman, Rene Komar, Ampuan Nurul Azmi Ampuan Husin, Ak Sallehudin Pg Damit, Saifulrizal Awang Midfielders: Rosmin Khamis(capt), Yusof Salleh, Affendy Yakob, Helme Panjang, Hardi Bujang, Azwan Md Salleh, Md Arsyah Md Ayob, Ito Dan Wingers: Sairol Saari, Hardi Bujang,Ak Md Kamarul Ariffin Pg Ramlee, Hj Subhi Abdillah Bakir, Rosmini Kahar Strikers: Mohd Shahrazen Said, Fadlin Galawat, Viban Bayong.-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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