Bandar Seri Begawan - Can our beloved Brunei DPMM FC lift the S League Cup? Well, the answer will be known tonight when the Wasps battle it out against long-time kingpin SAFFC in the final at Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.

If the 'Wasps' claim victory, it will make history by being the first foreign club to win a Singaporean football competition since the S-League's inception in 1996. DPMM FC is also in its first year of joining the league.

"I hope that the big emotions won't affect my team. So, I will try to make my team relax," Coach Vjeran Simunic was quoted saying to the Straits Times. Other foreign teams tried but failed at the final hurdle in the league. Thailand's Chonburi Province FC was one of the invited foreign sides in the Singapore Cup in 2006. The team lead Tampines Rovers 2-0 in the final but conceded two late goals and eventually lost 3-2 after extra time. Just last year, the Super Reds suffered a similar fate in the League Cup final as they were defeated 2-1 after a late goal from Gombak United.

Still, Simunic is hopeful about achieving victory, saying: 'It's always something to be the first in history."

Brunei DPMM FC will be without two key players in the final. Inspirational team captain, Pg Sallehuddin Pg Hj Damit, was suspended after he was shown a yellow card for a harsh tackle he made in a match against Woodlands Wellington FC.

Pg Sallehuddin's ability to command and rally his teammates around will be missed, as he has been key to Brunei DPMM FC's terrific performances in the backline. His wealth of experience includes being one of Brunei squad members that won the 1999 Malaysian Cup.

Brunei DPMM FC's defence will be led by Rene Komar to shut out the resurgent attacking line of goal scoring machines, Aleksandar Duric, Park Tae Won, John Wilkinson and Ahmad Latif Khamaruddin who is the biggest threat to the team.

Coach Simunic will also be without Algerian import Abdel Hamid Berguiga. The striker picked up a second yellow card after protesting against the referee just a few seconds after picking up his first for tackling down Woodlands Wellington FC player in the recent semifinal match.

Who will replace Abdel Hamid in the strike force? Could it be Abu Bakar Mahari partnering with Md Shahrazen Said or has he something in mind to break the SAFFC's stubborn defence?

Well, the key to victory for Simunic's team could well lie in his fellow countrymen, Ivan Jerkovic, Croation import, who plays in midfield. Jerkovic currently leads the goal charts in the League Cup competition with four to his name. Jerkovic's scored three of those four goals from dead ball situations, including a penalty he scored in the Geylang United quarterfinal match.

On paper, however, the advantage of winning the Cup tonight goes to Brunei DPMM FC who has recorded two straight wins against the army. However, SAFFC look set to seek revenge for their losses besides eyeing the missing piece in their collection of domestic trophies over the years, which includes seven S League titles, four Prime League championships, three Singapore Cups and three FA Cups.

RTB will broadcast 'live' the final match tonight on its RTB2 channel from 7.35pm brought by NBT Sendirian Berhad. The telecast well is extended in case the match goes to extra time or penalty kicks and will also include the prize presentation.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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