Bandar Seri Begawan: With a Scotsman in charge, Brunei club DPMM FC have promised fierce competition by boldly targeting a top-six finish in the 2025/2026 Super League season, which begins in August. DPMM FC general manager Md Ali Momin said discussions are underway to ensure the team, under the leadership of head coach James McAllister of Scotland, are well-prepared, including the signing of Malaysian footballers.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Md Ali revealed that the club plans to register about seven imports and 15 Brunei players. He highlighted an agreement with the Malaysian Football League (MFL) that allows Malaysian players to feature for Brunei as local players, providing a strategic advantage. “There may be some key positions that we need to fill, perhaps two or three (Malaysian) players that we must secure,” he stated during a press conference following the signing ceremony of DPMM FC’s participation agreement in the 2025-2028 Malaysia League (M-League).
The event was attended by MFL president
Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan, MFL acting chief executive officer Mohd Shazli Shaik Mohd, and FIFA Council member Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin. Md Ali expressed excitement about competing in the M-League, acknowledging its strong brand and extensive fan base. “We will try to compete with the likes of Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) and Selangor, maybe in the beginning we will struggle a little, because we have long left the M-League, (however) we will try to give fierce competition to all the clubs (in the league),” he added.
He further expressed hopes for enhancing player quality and strengthening bilateral relations between Brunei and Malaysia through the club’s participation in the league. Meanwhile, Mohd Shazli confirmed that DPMM FC’s participation brings the total number of clubs to 14 for the upcoming Super League season. He emphasized the added value and competitiveness that DPMM FC brings to the M-League, enhancing its commercial appeal.
The MFL had previously indicated that DPMM FC would participate as an invited c
lub following FIFA’s approval. The club has a storied history in local football competitions, having participated in the Malaysia Cup in 1979 and the Semi-Pro League in 1989. Notably, DPMM FC clinched the 1999 Malaysia Cup title by defeating Sarawak 2-1 at the Merdeka Stadium and secured a third-place finish in the 2005-2006 Super League.