| Fadhil Yunus |
DPMM FC striker Rafael Ramazotti put his injury woes behind him after scoring a brace in a come-from-behind 2-2 draw against Balestier Khalsa in the Great Eastern-Hyundai S League at the Toa Payoh Stadium in Singapore last night.
The Brazilian forward has been out of action for nearly three months before marking his return to the starting line-up with a goal recently.
With the visitors hoping for a strong finish after their hopes of a silverware ended, the back-to-back S League top marksman was in every mood in helping his team to stage a revival.
But in a season that DPMM FC were having, it was never going to be easy. Balestier Khalsa took the lead from their first opportunity after DPMM FC goalkeeper Mu’izzuddin Ismail fumbled a Hazzuwan Halim free kick as Huzaifah Aziz tapped the ball home.
Mu’izzuddin nearly gifted a second goal four minutes later from a similar situation but Jonathan Tan fired the ball over from the edge of the box.
The DPMM FC shot-stopper showed why he is the currently the preferred choice after denying Hazzuwan with a stunning save from point blank range in the 19th minute.
The Tigers received another chance but Hazzuwan headed Jonathan cross over.
DPMM FC got their first real attempt of the game but Rafael Ramazotti headed over Daud Gazale’s free-kick.
It turned out to be a fascinating personal duel between Hazzuwan and Mu’izzuddin but on this occasion it was the latter that got the better of the former after keeping out his attempt.
Balestier Khalsa’s goalkeeper Zaiful Nizam pulled off a stunning reflex save to deny DPMM FC midfielder Nurikhwan Othman from opening his account for the club.
With Hazzuwan been busy taking set piece duties, there was an element of surprise as midfielder Raihan Rahman curled a perfect free-kick to double his side’s lead on the hour mark.
The visitors breathed new lease of life in the match with Ramazotti taking full advantage reacting the quickest from a free kick after the defence fluffed their lines.
DPMM FC’s Rosmin Kamis unleashed a good drive which flew straight at Zaiful.
The Gegar Gegar men looked poised to draw matters but Zaiful had other ideas after somehow keeping out Ramazotti’s header which was bound for the top corner following a cross from Mu’iz Sisa.
But there was no keeping out Ramazotti who found the equaliser for DPMM FC after powering home a firm header from Shahrazen Said’s cross eight minutes from time.
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