| Fadhil Yunus |
DPMM FC went on a rampage for the second game running after demolishing Balestier Khalsa 3-0 in a pure demonstration of attacking annihilation in the Singapore League Cup at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore last night.
The ‘Gegar Gegar’ men, most importantly, booked their place in the semi-finals for the third time in four years under the guidance of head coach Steve Kean.
The result would also satisfy Kean after keeping a clean sheet having just hinted a little touch of disappointment against Tampines Rovers FC when they conceded to a Jamil Ali stunner.
DPMM FC, who share the record with Albirex Niigata (S) as the most successful team in the competition, chalked their second successive victory and third this season in all competition after halting an eight-game winless drought.
A brace from Adi Said and Azwan Ali sent DPMM FC on their way to another semi-final appearance which is scheduled on July 18.
According to S League Twitter updates, DPMM FC converted their first genuine opportunity after a great counter-attack led by Maududi Hilmi Kasmi ended with Azwan Ali finishing clinically past Zaiful Nizam.
Myanmar’s Aung Kyaw Naing fashioned a chance on his own in the box but contrived to his shot straight at DPMM FC goalkeeper Mu’izzuddin Ismail.
Kyaw Naing teed up Jonathan Tan in the box but the latter fired wide before the former created another shot which lashed over the bar.
DPMM FC’s forward Adi Said produced good work in the wing before setting up Shahrazen Said but the elder sibling hit his effort straight at Zaiful.
Shahrazen returned the favour to Adi but the latter’s header went straight to Zaiful.
Azwan Ali and Shahrazen Said celebrate a goal during DPMM FC’s game against Balestier Khalsa. – S LEAGUE
Azwan Salleh thought he had scored but Ahmad Syahir Sahimi came to the rescue with a superb block to deny the full back.
Myanmar’s international Kyaw Zayar Win lined one up from 25 yards but his free-kick sailed wide of the right-hand post.
Kyaw Naing got his head to a good right-wing cross but his effort went straight to Mu’izzuddin.
The designated hosts doubled their lead after Adi Said squeezed his shot from a tight angle in the 42nd minute.
Balestier’s midfielder Raihan Rahman curled over his free kick from the edge of the box.
Jonathan found space in the box but his shot was blocked by Mu’izzuddin while in the other end Maududi saw his snapshot parried by Zaiful in an entertaining few minutes for both sides.
Balestier’s goalkeeper Zaiful avoided embarrassment after Azwan Ali produced a cheeky lob and would have cut a relieved figure to see it sail wide.
Shahrazen, who played a pivotal role in Azwan Ali’s goal, delivered another assist as his cutback was clinically converted by a sharp Adi.
DPMM FC could progress as group winners with a draw against already-qualified Geylang International FC who thumped Tampines Rovers FC 4-1 in the other group game.
The pair will meet on July 14 at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore to decide who will finish top in Group ‘B’.
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