Brunei DPMM coach targets modest ‘top-five’ finish in Singapore Premier League
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Rui Capela (left) has coached on four continents and wants to play offensive football at DPMM.
ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
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SINGAPORE – In 2019, Brunei DPMM were at their zenith after clinching their second Singapore Premier League (SPL) title.
But unforeseen circumstances then derailed their plans for a hat-trick. Due to travel restrictions imposed by the Brunei government during the Covid-19 pandemic, DPMM had to pull out of the 2020 and 2021 editions.
After rejoining the SPL in 2023,
They picked up just six wins and laboured to a seventh-place finish, 39 points behind eventual champions Albirex Niigata.
With their 28,000-capacity Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium now ready to host matches, DPMM enter the 2024/25 SPL season aiming to return to winning ways under new Portuguese coach Rui Capela.
Capela, who joined in January, told The Straits Times: “The target is very simple – to improve the ranking from last year and for the team to play better football. And if possible, the first five positions at this moment is a good target.
“It’s too early for me to say what will happen in the future. Now my process is game by game. If we’re going in a good way maybe in December, I can tell you we can fight for something more.”
DPMM began their campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Young Lions on May 11, but a tougher test against defending champions Albirex awaits them on May 25.
“For the last three years, I think Albirex are a great, great team,” said Capela. “They have very good players and it will be a very difficult match for us, but I expect my players to be in good shape. We had 45 days of pre-season and this is a good test for us.”
As a player, the 55-year-old once played for the Portugal Under-18 national team coached by Carlos Queiroz, who went on to coach Real Madrid and the Portugal senior team twice.
Capela, who has also worked in Paraguay, Lithuania and Morocco, said: “He (Queiroz) is a very good coach but I have other ideas. I was very young at that time. The ideas of this coach is fantastic, but I want to follow my own way. I like offensive football.”
To do so, DPMM have refreshed their squad with several new local U-23 players, replacing veterans like Helmi Zambin, Azizi Ali Rahman, Hendra Azam and Awangku Fakharazzi.
They have also reinforced the squad with four new foreigners – Australian defender Patrick Flottmann, Portuguese winger Miguel Oliveira, Brazilian winger Gabriel Gama and Mexican forward Julio Cruz.
Brunei DPMM head coach Rui Capela working with his players during a training session at Jalan Besar Stadium on May 24.
ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
Flottmann, who joined from K League 2 side Seongnam FC in April, said he signed on to get regular game time. Having played for Australia’s Sydney FC and India’s NorthEast United, the 27-year-old journeyman picked up an assist in the 2-1 win over the Young Lions.
He said: “Every league has different styles. K League is more tactical and technical. Here it is a lot more up and down, space is different. I look forward to playing more games.
“We’ve done video analysis on Albirex but we’re also focusing on the football we can play. We obviously respect them as a team but it’s also about what we want to do.
“That’s what we’re here for. We want to try and win the league.”
Patrick Flottmann jumping for a header during a training session at Jalan Besar Stadium on May 24.
ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
Meanwhile, BG Tampines Rovers continued their unbeaten start to the season after a convincing 4-2 victory over Balestier Khalsa at Bishan Stadium on May 24.
The Stags started brightly and found themselves 2-0 up after 11 minutes courtesy of goals from Boris Kopitovic and Seia Kunori. But the home side responded through Kodai Tanaka before the Japanese forward equalised three minutes after half-time for his sixth goal in three matches.
Tampines regained the lead in the 63rd minute when Milos Zlatkovic unleashed a fierce strike from outside the box, before Faris Ramli put the result beyond doubt in the 89th minute.
The Stags are top of the nine-team table with seven points from three matches, while Balestier are third on four points.
Geylang v Young Lions (May 25, 6pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)
After two thrilling 2-2 and 4-4 draws to open their campaign, the Eagles are aiming to grab their first victory against a winless Young Lions, who have vastly improved from last season.
Tanjong Pagar v Hougang (May 26, 6pm, Jurong East Stadium)
Two struggling sides face off in hopes of lifting themselves off the foot of the table. The Jaguars were thrashed 5-0 by Balestier last weekend, while Hougang have suffered 4-1 and 1-0 defeats by Lion City Sailors and Albirex respectively.
