We can beat DPMM, says Geylang coach
Geylang coach insists his men can beat title-chasing DPMM
GEYLANG INTERNATIONAL v BRUNEI DPMM
(Tuesday, 7.30pm, Bedok Stadium)
Plenty of attention will be on Brunei DPMM at Bedok Stadium on Tuesday as they look to get their Great Eastern-Yeo's S.League title bid back on track.
The Bruneian outfit were dealt a huge blow when they fell to a 1-0 defeat by title rivals Tampines Rovers last Wednesday, and the Stags can move level on points at the top should they win their two games in hand.
There are some who believe DPMM are still in the driver's seat given they appear to have the easier run-in of the two main contenders, beginning with Tuesday's game against Geylang International.
However, Eagles coach Jorg Steinebrunner bristled at any suggestion they would be an easy hurdle to overcome.
"I think anyone who thinks that needs to have more respect," he told the New Paper.
"In fact, I think of all the teams in the bottom half, we are the ones who have taken the most points from the top teams… I went through the statistics just today and I think we took something like 16 points from 20.
"Numerous times this season it has been said just how the league has gotten better and more unpredictable this season.
"In our meetings since (DPMM coach) Steve (Kean) and I took over at the clubs, the games have always been tight affairs.
"I'm sure DPMM are coming here to make up for their loss to Tampines, but we're also looking forward after a good win (against Home United) and I'm sure both teams will be going for the three points."
While they may not have silverware to fight for, the Eagles are determined to end an inconsistent campaign on a positive note.
Following Friday's come-from-behind 2-1 triumph over Home, Geylang goalkeeper Yazid Yasin called on his side to produce a repeat performance against their title-chasing opponents.
VETERAN
The veteran, who has played in every edition of the S.League, said: "We've been playing reasonably well but the results have just not been going our way.
"Against Home, perhaps we didn't perform as well as we can but it was one of those games where we managed to get the win.
"I think the pressure is on them (DPMM) as they are fighting for the championship and that suits us well.
"We just need to focus on doing our jobs and look to push on from a good win over Home."
Geylang may have lost both their previous league meetings against DPMM, but they did record a memorable 4-2 triumph in the TNP League Cup in July.
And Steinebrunner is confident that a repeat result is within their reach, if they adopt the right approach.
"Generally, our inconsistency has been our downfall this season," said the German.
"But the character of the players has been good throughout the year and we'll need to show the same work rate and character as we did against Home.
"DPMM have good individual players that can hurt you if given time and space, so we'll need to be disciplined and deprive them of that.
"Then, when we do get the ball, we need take care of it and frustrate our opponents and also be prepared to go forward and ask questions of them defensively."
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