Coach hopes end of DPMM's long winless run is catalyst for campaign

To say that his start to life in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) has been tough would be an understatement, given the difficulties that Jamie McAllister has had since he was installed as Brunei DPMM coach in July.

- Deepanraj Ganesan

In four matches under the Scot, the team lacked cohesion and purpose as they struggled to two losses and two draws, scoring just twice and conceding seven goals. Confidence was also rock-bottom as they were winless in nine matches.

On Aug 24 at the Jalan Besar Stadium, his wide smile and emotional hugs with his players told the story as he got his first win as DPMM boss. They threw the form book out of the window and ended their wretched run with a 4-2 victory over Geylang International.

DPMM's last win was on May 25, when they beat Albirex Niigata 4-1 and few had expected the Bruneian side to end their insipid run against the third-placed Eagles.

McAllister, 46, said he had found a side "very, very low on confidence" when he was appointed and had worked on "lifting the spirits and working on basics".