| Fadhil Yunus |
DPMM FC bowed out of the Singapore Cup with a second successive defeat at the hands of Home United FC after losing 3-1 in the second leg and 6-2 in aggregate at the Bishan Stadium in Singapore last night.
The result meant that Steve Kean’s charges will be without silverware for the second consecutive year since lifting the league title having been struggling in the Great Eastern-Hyundai S League this year and missed out on a place in the Singapore League Cup final.
It was inevitable that Home United FC midfielder Faris Ramli rose to the occasion marking yet another goal while man-of-the-moment Iqram Rifqi passed his audition with flying colours of becoming a consistent member in the S League squad with an assist and a goal.
Faris Ramli has been a nuisance against DPMM FC capping his fine performances with seven goals in the last three meetings and in the early going influenced their attacking play initiating the threat for the returning Stipe Plazibat and Song Ui-Young.
Faris nearly gave the Croatian a welcoming present in his return to the starting line-up since his absence in the first leg but DPMM FC goalkeeper Mu’izzuddin Ismail was quick to get off his line to block his attempt which illustrated why his coach Steve Kean has shown faith in him with his goalkeeping abilities.
The Home United FC midfielder returned with a through ball for Song but the latter’s shot did not trouble the goalkeeper on this occasion.
Plazibat managed his first attempt but his effort sailed off the upright as it was all Home United in the opening 10 minutes of the game.
The Protectors looked to kill the tie once and for all as Cristopher Van Huizen cut inside on his left and unleashed a venomous shot but it crashed off the crossbar.
Vincent Salas had a good chance to open his account in DPMM FC colours but scoffed his shot in the six yard box.
It was a shame for Van Huizen to exit the pitch prematurely after such an inspiring start as Izzdin Shafiq was brought in his place in the 34th minute.
Plazibat was denied by Mu’izzuddin again as half-time loomed before Juma’at Jantan, one of the heroes of the first leg, drove a rasping shot wide.
The Gegar Gegar men needed a goal to stand any chance of staying in the contest and Helmi Zambin provided the platform in the 48th minute after dispossessing Song and slipping the ball between the legs of Home United goalkeeper Hassan Sunny.
Faris came close to increase his personal tally with eighth against DPMM FC this season after brilliantly skipping past a defender and his shot just rolled wide off the bottom corner.
DPMM FC missed a glorious opportunity to go within a goal of making it to the next round after Abdul Mu’iz Sisa, a surprise starter, missed one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
Home United FC head coach Aidil Sharin has been pleased with what he’s seen with Prime League player Iqram Rifqi in the first leg and if there’s any indication of him seeking for a better performance he definitely received it.
Iqram, who was promoted to the S League squad, made an instant impact a minute after coming on as a substitute in the 63rd minute after squaring the ball for Faris who netted his eighth goal in four matches against DPMM FC this season.
It was an eventful three minutes for the young forward as he had a good chance to single-handedly put his side into the lead but Mu’izzuddin made a wonderful point blank save.
The former MS PDB shot-stopper was called into action yet again this time from Juma’at and based on evidence there was no arguments that the bulk of chances came from the home side.
It was a perfect end for Iqram, who over the two legs had been one of the players pivotal in guiding them to victory, after helping his side to a 2-1 lead in the 86th minute.
Home United replicated their result in the first leg after Juma’at finished off Plazibat’s assist.
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