Tanjong Pagar United VS DPMM FC
12 July 2013, 8pm
Jalan Besar Stadium

By Ong Jiing Yih

Tanjong Pagar United are set to continue their resurgence in the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League when they participate in yet another Friday night ‘live’ match.

While it could be related their good record at the venue, it is also about returning to form at the right time.

Surviving a 90-minute long onslaught against Hougang United and coupled with the scoring prowess of Monsef Zerka, the recent run of one league win in four was emphatically snapped.

However, another star of the show has to be Aurelien Herisson who had a major say in the 1-0 success.

Holding strong and growing in stature, the Frenchman preserved the Jaguars’ lead with a string of wonderous saves.

The whole team worked together in unison and look keen to exert some form of payback, since they witnessed a 2-0 lead dissipate into a 5-2 thumping in the League Cup match on June 16.

With an entire squad for selection, Head coach Patrick Vallee’s cause would be enhanced considerably.

Meanwhile, some soul searching may have to be done in the DPMM FC side.

The usually cheery, bubbly Vjeran Simunic cut a forlorn, ashen-faced and crestfallen figure following his side’s 5-2 mauling last Friday.

In what could probably sum up the Wasps’ season, Woodlands Wellington turned the tables in glorious fashion – they swam against the tide of general opinion and doubts, hummed to the tune of some eye-catching attacking football and cherry-picked their league rivals apart.

With title hopes long gone, in part owing to a less-than-stellar home record, this result also etched them further down to eigth in the league standings and with it, the danger of missing out on a top six spot.

Making their return in 2012, Brunei’s only professional club were expected to build on their second-place finish back then.

However, the whole country saw the best and worst sides of DPMM all showcased in one match.

The present year could have started to unravel even before the mid-season break, with the departures of Stephen Auvray, Ivan Bosnjak and perhaps surprisingly, Dino Drpic.

Tanjong Pagar were the first away side to triumph and since then Hougang, Warriors FC, Albirex Niigata and CourtsYoung Lions have all picked up important points there.

The lack of pace and support for Tales dos Santos saw the backline exposed and even with the good combination and scoring streak of Joao Moreira and Arturas Rimkevicius, Woodlands gave a lesson in how to deal with them.

A decent reference point to begin with and take note of.

Expect fireworks when they meet their upcoming opponents this coming Friday.