| Fadhil Yunus |
DPMM FC moved within five points of second-placed Tampines Rovers FC after recording a 3-1 win over Home United FC at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium last night.
The Gegar Gegar men are looking to finish as highly as they could but could not afford to drop points before they meet title chasing Tampines and have completed the first half with a victory.
Portuguese import Paulo Sergio was left with acres of space after being located with an accurately hoisted ball but struck his effort wide.
DPMM FC midfielder Aminuddin Zakwan Tahir was found to be too casual with the ball resulting in him gifting possession to the alert Ken Ilso but Rosmin Kamis came to the team’s rescue with a vital sliding block.
The hosts were unfortunate not to have taken the lead after Azwan Salleh’s rasping drive clipped against the post.
There was little danger when a ball was hoisted into the area until Azwan Ali reacted with a lob after spotting Home United’s goalkeeper Eko Pradana off his line but the ball flew wide.
Paulo Sergio delivered a fine cross which Rafael Ramazotti had to apply sufficient power with a firm header but the ball landed wide.
Azwan Salleh sent the ball into the edge of the box which Sergio crossed into the box but Ramazotti headed wide.
The hosts also enjoyed a succession of corners with their 5th in over half an hour with Sergio unable to make substantial contact to Ramazotti’s cushioned header.
The visitors had a rare glimpse of an opportunity when Redzwan Atan aimed a pass into the box but the ball was not precise enough for the advancing Song Uiyoung.
Ramazotti then saw his shot cleared off the line after chipping the ball off the keeper before Azwan Ali delivered yet another delicious cross via a corner which Sergio bundled home for the opening goal of the game in the 37th minute.
Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman and Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Muntaqim ibni Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah at the match last night. – PHOTOS: KHAIRIL HASSAN
His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel (LEFT) and Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah (RIGHT) watching the home match between DPMM FC and Home United FC.
DPMM FC’s Azwan Ali dashed with the ball past Home United FC’s defender. – KHAIRIL HASSAN
The towering Brazilian striker then saw his header after connecting a Najib Tarif’s cross brushed against the crossbar in the 42nd minute.
DPMM FC enjoyed a fine sequence of play which originated from the outstanding Azwan Ali – who rotated positions with Sergio- who again vindicated his selection in the first team.
Current S League top-scorer Ramazotti instinctively laid the ball behind for Azwan to play a neat exchange with Aminuddin before passing the ball to Azwan Salleh.
The visitors conceded a penalty after Pradana brought down Ramazotti which the striker duly converted from six yards to consolidate his goal tally at the top of the S League scoring charts.
The game was made safe after defender Brian McLean directed a header in the back post from a pinpoint Hendra Azam’s corner.
Home United were awarded a penalty following a foul by Reduan Petara inside a box which Ilso coolly dispatched yet another goal against the Brunei-based outfit.
DPMM FC head coach Steve Kean felt it was a “strange game” after seeing his side enjoying a huge spell of dominance in the first half given their flurry of chances.
“I thought it was a strange game because I felt that in the first half we’ve more of the chances. We were disappointed to come in with one goal because we’ve should probably been three or four at half-time,” said Kean in a post-match interview with the media.
“And then normally we get much better in the second half but it was the flipside we’ve seen tonight.
“Home United then came back into the game and even when they were 3-0 down, for some reason we stopped passing the ball.
“When we got the ball, we gave it straight back to them. It was almost we’ve invited pressure among ourselves,” Kean said.
With the race for third place to play for, Home United will keep on fighting and demonstrate their fighting spirit.
“We’ve got to take part in the game. They are not just going to sit back. They are trying to get back to us to get to third place,” he further added.
“At 3-0, they’ve got nothing to lose. They are going to come at us. We’ve got to look after the ball and keep it better.”
Kean also praised the impact of the substitutes especially Maududi Hilmi Kasmi and Shahrazen Said in the wide areas with the latter winning the corner kick that led to McLean’s goal.
DPMM FC defender Yura Indera Putera was replaced in the fear of defensive calamity with Reduan Petara coming off the bench but not due to injury.
“Yura was just having a night where everything happened a little bit fast for him. I didn’t want to leave him on and leave him exposed.
“He’s a young player learning his trade as a defender so for him to come off and watch the game for the last 15 minutes was the better option.
“I just felt that there was maybe a mistake in him because he seemed to lose a little bit of confidence. Anything that was played in around him he seemed to be much more nervous than normal,” he concluded.
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