DPMM FC head coach Steve Kean believes his attacking options will be a match for the continent's top defences in the eve of their Singapore Cup quarterfinal first leg tie against Ceres La Salle at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore tonight.

"We've got a front unit that would happily grace the AFC and it is a shame that we didn't get the opportunity to play in the AFC this year because with Azwan Ali, Ramazotti and Paulo Sergio as a front three I don't think there's any back four that are going to be comfortable against them," said Kean in an interview with the Bulletin at the Jerudong Mini Stadium last night.

"We can stretch teams and we can ask questions of defences. They're going to be quirk but we're equally as quick."

Kean is pleased with his attacking force and believes they could cause problems with their speed and pace.

"You look at the pace of Juan (Azwan Ali), Paulo, Najib and Helmi - those four players that we've got in the wide areas - you won't find any quicker anywhere in Asia," he further added.

Kean's side will meet United Football League (UFL) side Ceres La Salle who recently bowed out of the AFC Cup in the last 16 to South China.

The head coach also explained that their Filipino counterparts will present a newfound challenge in testing their strengths as compared to their more familiar league opponents.

"It is a good challenge for us. We always keep stretching ourselves and go into the next level and to improve. I don't see it as a negative and I see it as a big positive. Sometimes with respect it can become boring when you keep on playing the same teams three times in three rounds."

"Other teams have different styles or different approach and they ask different questions of you. I think that is going to be refreshing for us and we're looking forward to it," the former Blackburn manager said.

The Scotsman has been particularly impressed with Ceres La Salle captain Kim Sang Min whose goal against Young Lions ensured their passage into the quarterfinals.

"He's six feet four, six feet five and he's dominant. He's a hard worker, great in the air and he never want to lose," Kean said of the South Korean.

"He almost marshals the defence and he's excellent. I think the other players take their energy and direction from him," he added.

Asked what his plans were to contain the pace of Ceres La Salle especially given Filipino clubs' cultured fast-paced football with Kaya known to have players bursting down the wings, Kean said they also have similar personnel of their own too.

"We've got real pace in the wide areas. When you've got Helmi and Najib who are electric quick, I think that's going to be a threat and then we've got a good balance about the side at the moment."

Kean likened the Philippines champions to the current S League holders Albirex Niigata (S).

"Two teams trying to keep the ball and two teams trying to pass it so it should be a good football match," Kean asserted.

Ceres come into the tie with good form netting 34 goals in the last four games but Kean highlighted that the big wins are simply unheard of.

"In a domestic league, you should never be winning 16-0 or 10-0. I'm sure that gives them confidence but they're coming up against us. We are a good side, no disrespect to the teams that they've played in the domestic league," he continued.

The Scotsman is no stranger to facing Filipino opposition having played Global FC in back-to-back seasons and their next opponents could be a similar side.

"I think the similarities that you'll see are the domestic players are good. The local players are very good and they've got an incredible work ethic," he said.

Kean cited the displays of several unfancied teams in the European Championship in France where determination and being hard to beat can oust the biggest nations.

"We've seen that in the Euros at the moment Where sometimes teams don't have to come from the strongest nations in the world to be determined and really be hard to beat."

"I give the local players from the Philippines respect. The young players (Ceres La Salle) are excellent. They don't know when to give up."

"And then they've got foreign' players, Spanish players that can open you up so this is going to be a difficult game," he said.

Kean thinks that Balestier Khalsa should have little complaints over the magnitude of their victory in the S League last week.

"I think it was more than anything a convincing victory. I don't think Balestier can say it was lucky or we deserve something we didn't," Kean said.

"We really played well and I think we're in a good place getting into a new tournament", he added.

Kean is pleased to see his charges move closer to the top two in the league who are likely to duel for the title in the coming weeks but welcomes a fresh challenge for a change.

"The good thing now is we get closer to Albirex and Tampines but let's just freshen up and go into a different tournament."

The 'Gegar Gegar' men will be depleted without the services of forward Paulo Sergio and midfielder Hendra Azam after bookings accumulated from last season but both will be available for the second leg.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.ocom

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