Trigger-happy Tosi

Trigger-happy Tosi

He is one of the hottest strikers in the competition, and ahead of his side's clash with Hougang United in the Great Eastern-Yeo's S.League, Rodrigo Tosi fired a warning, when he said: "I will score."

After seven games, Brunei DPMM's Brazilian star is averaging a goal a match and he is joint top scorer with countryman Geison Moura, the player who will line-up opposite him at the Hougang Stadium.

In an interview with The New Paper yesterday, Tosi, 31, revealed that the striker's role is a new position for him.

He said: "Last season I was used as a midfielder, but now the coach has put me as a striker and that's where I want to play.

"The foreign players and I also have a good understanding, so it's great to see them assisting me."

 

STUNNED

Tosi has featured in all of DPMM's games in this season's S.League, and scored in every one of them except when they were stunned at home by defending champions Tampines Rovers in a 2-1 defeat.

He only managed eight goals in 2013, and barring serious injury or a drastic loss of form, he should at least double his tally in this campaign.

The Brazilian paid tribute to new coach Steve Kean, who once took charge of Blackburn Rovers in the English Premier League, for injecting confidence into the side.

"He has really turned the team around this season. We are more confident now because of him," said Tosi.

"He's helped build the mentality of the team and improved our professionalism and he always brings in fresh tactics."

Hougang have two Brazilians in Moura and Diego Gama.

While Tosi doesn't personally know the pair, he has watched Moura play and knows he will be a threat.

"He's had a good start and I can see he will be someone to look out for in the game.

"I'm confident our defence can help stop him, because if we leave him alone he will score," he said.

Single-minded and full of confidence, as any good striker has to be, Tosi believes he will win his personal duel with Moura.

He said: "I feel great lately, and there's been great improvement in the team. If my teammates keep assisting me, I can help by doing my job and scoring more goals."

If the Bruneian outfit beat the Cheetahs and collect three points, they will go back to the league summit, at least until Tampines face Woodlands Wellington at Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday.

When asked if this is DPMM's season to win the league, Tosi laughed and said, "maybe."

"If we keep this momentum and keep improving we can definitely go all the way and win the title."

DPMM's resident samba boy also hopes to finish the campaign as top scorer.

He said: "I always give the team 100 per cent.

"Being top scorer will be really tough, but if my teammates can keep giving me great service, I don't see why not."

 

This article was published on April 16 in The New Paper.

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