Vital Match For Brunei DPMM FC
By Alex How

Brunei DPMM FC coach Ranko giving out instructions in a training session

Bandar Seri Begawan – A win on New Year's Day will mark a vital start for Brunei DPMM FC when they host Perak UPB in a 2005/2006 Malaysian Premier League Group A match at Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium tonight and bring them to the top of the table, according to Brunei DPMM FC head coach Buteka Ranko.

The New Year match is seen as an important home match for Ranko before the team heads for three consecutive away matches against Kedah, Sarawak and Terengganu.

"The situation for us in the scoreboard is very specific, if we win we will go top, if we lose, we will be in trouble," said Ranko. "If we win the home match tonight, we will be at the top with Sarawak."

Brunei DPMM FC are currently in sixth place in Group A with five points, but only to be separated with group leaders Sarawak by three points. Perak UPB, who lost 1-0 to Kedah in their previous match, is a place atop of Brunei DPMM FC with six points.

Sarawak will play host to Kelantan, while second placed Johor will play against Kedah who are third in the table.

Ranko is disappointed at their last away 2-0 defeat against Kelantan.

"Sometimes we must win, or we must lose, but not like this, we must fight," added Ranko who is also surprised with the performance of the midfield players. "In this match, nobody was doing his job."

Nevertheless, he wants the team to put that behind and concentrate on the coming match to start the away campaign in a good position.

Ranko also hoped striker Fadlin Galawat, who has just came back for training recently from injury, to be fit again and start against Perak UPB.

Another expected starter is Hj Muhd Subhi Abdilah who will be able to shrug off his hamstring injury in time and back for the game.

Brunei DPMM FC, a team which Ranko regards as very young but with great potential, has 11 Under-23 players in the squad.

"The team might have trouble in their first season in M-League, but this team is for the next six or seven years," said Ranko who thinks that the team needs time to build up and shape to quality.

Ranko, who preferred to field more midfielders in a game, demanded the players to push forward to attack more with at least four players.

But the attacking-minded coach was also very surprised at the way his players were victimised and jeered off the pitch.

"These players will need great moral support from the local fans to build on their mental strength", added Ranko. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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