BALESTIER TEST FOR DPMM FC

Undefeated in their last eight league games and semi-finalists in both the S League Cup and RHB Singapore Cup, could DPMM FC have asked for a tougher fixture than Balestier Khalsa FC during the final run-in of games before the top six and bottom six teams part ways?

The Tigers currently sit fourth in the league standings and will be looking to close the gap on Tanjong Pagar United FC and Albirex Niigata with a repeat of their performance at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium last year, a 2-0 victory which effectively .ended all hopes of DPMM FC claiming the S League title.

The month of Ramadhan and on-going Hari Raya celebrations have forced DPMM FC to alter their training schedule, but head coach Vjeran Simunic has been pleased with his side's progress over the last week and remains optimistic despite a run of unfavourable results in previous months.

"We have completed seven days of training to try and help the team recover from Hari Raya, and I am very happy with how professional all the players have been. They are hungry to show tomorrow how good we are feeling at the moment.

As for Balestier, the Croatian was well aware of the Tigers' record over the last few months, and whilst not entirely satisfied with their abrasive style of play, was all in favour of his opposite number's win-at-all-costs approach.

"The last time they lost was in May against Woodlands. When we played them in the league, we won 1-0, but we lost 2-1 to them in the S League Cup. It was a very dramatic game.

"I was not happy because they were, playing rugby. Lots of coaches are angry with the way they play, but I have to agree with Darren (Stewart), because they are winning games. For me, it is the same, but I like to play beautiful football and win games. I like to entertain the fans.

Defender Sairol Sahari will be out for two to three months after tearing his meniscus, but aside from that, it's all hands on board for DPMM FC and full speed ahead.

"Tomorrow is a 50-50 game. If we get three points, it will not just help us in the table, but it will also help our morale. It is a big game and we must play smart and be careful," declared Simunic.

"We take it one game at a time, but I think if we can win tomorrow, we can beat Tampines (on Sunday). We have never won against them, only drawn four times, so if we win against Balestier, the door is open.

Despite their strong form in recent months, Tigers head coach Darren Stewart was not expecting the hosts to give up a point, let alone three, without a fight.

"We will be looking to get a good result tomorrow. We're feeling pretty confident, so it should be a good game. Brunei (DPMM FC) is the toughest fixture in the S League, and I have massive respect for (Vjeran) Simunic, so we won't be underestimating them at all.

"We've lost one game in the last 14, and I think that was a cup game, so if ever there was a time where we were lacking confidence, it's certainly not going to be now.

The 47-year old has been surprised by DPMM FC's stop-start season, especially with a man he still considers the best coach in the league and a close friend at the helm.

"I'm very surprised by their position in the table. They are a quality team, but they've had a lot of unluckiness in some of their games this season.

"They've had three or four foreigners coming in mid-season and it's difficult to get them to blend in with the team, which is another reason they aren't doing so well.

New signing Vitor Borges and skipper Paul Cunningham are doubts for the game tonight with groin and knee injuries respectively, but the former Australian international does not expect their absence to have too drastic an effect on his charges.

"We will certainly miss these two if they don't play, but that's why we've got a big squad, so we have cover for when players get injured. We won't be using it (the injuries) as an excuse if we lose tomorrow.

In terms of the title race, Stewart believes that table-toppers Tampines Rovers will claim the title at the canter, but every other position below that is fair game.

"Tampines will win the title this year. Anyone who thinks otherwise is in dreamland. But when you look at second, third and fourth, it's anybody's for the taking.

"For Tampines to lose the title, they'd realistically have to lose all of their remaining games, starting tomorrow (tonight), and I just don't see that happening."