| Fadhil Yunus |
DPMM FC faced an uphill task to qualify for the semi-finals of the Singapore Cup after losing 3-1 in the first leg of the quarter-final match at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore last night.
Home United FC winger Faris Ramli returned to haunt the Gegar Gegar men with a brace as DPMM FC relinquished a 1-0 goal lead with half an hour of play remaining at their adopted ground.
The designated hosts broke their drought of not scoring a goal after 253 minutes through the returning Rafael Ramazotti but Home United defender Juma’at Jantan levelled matters following an individual brilliance from Song Ui-young.
Home United forward Marijan Suto won a free header but contrived to see the ball off target.
DPMM FC defender Vincent Salas delivered a powerful header but it flew past the upright much to the relief of the Home United goalkeeper Hassan Sunny.
Rafael Ramazotti, returning from a three-month injury, produced a speculative volley which was claimed easily by Hassan.
The Brazilian conjured another shot but it ended off the mark before going close with a header following good work from Daud Gazale.
Home United midfielder Aqhari Abdullah came close to breaking the deadlock after producing an effort from the edge of the box.
Ramazotti capitalised on a defensive mix-up to gift DPMM FC the lead from the run of play but the lead lasted less than 10 minutes as Juma’at guided the ball home after Song whizzed past a trio of DPMM FC defenders.
Faris Ramli, who bagged a quadruple against the same side in May, burst into the final third before sidestepping the DPMM FC goalkeeper and slotting the ball into the empty net in the 72nd minute.
The Protectors extended their lead as Faris tapped home the loose ball after Aqhari’s free-kick hits the upright.
DPMM FC will now have to score three goals without reply to qualify for the semi-finals in the second leg at the Bishan Stadium in Singapore.
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