| Fadhil Yunus |
DPMM FC’s hopes of finishing seventh in the Great Eastern-Hyundai S League took a major dent after losing to bench-deprived Balestier Khalsa 4-1 at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium last night.
The ‘Gegar Gegar’ men now lost ground on the Tigers after the defeat left them five points adrift with a game in hand having seen their mini revival halted on home soil.
The visitors seemed to be short of alternatives with only three players being named as reserves with Azmeerudin Jamludain and young forward Fariz Faizal making the bench.
There was little activity in the opening ten minutes before DPMM FC fired a warning as Rafael Ramazotti powerful header off a delightful Helmi Zambin’s cross was smartly saved by custodian Zaiful Nizam.
Balestier’s Tajeli Selamat puts through Hazzuwan Halim with a well weighted pass but the latter’s shot was deflected off for a corner.
From the ensuing corner, Aung Kway Naing was unable to meet the target from close range.
The visitors threatened as Nanda Linn Kway Chit attempted a shot from inside the box but Haizul Rani intervened with a crucial block.
The visitors took the lead in the 21st minute after Fadli Kamis tapped home Huzaifah Aziz’s corner from close range.
The attacking duo of Adi Said and Daud Gazale played a neat exchange after one of the forwards burst into the edge of the box as Zaiful held on a tame shot.
Gazale lifted the ball on top of the Balestier backline and was duly collected by Adi Said but the latter shot was parried away to safety by Zaiful.
DPMM FC’s defender Abdul Mu’iz Sisa delivered a nice ball into the box but Ramazotti, who had to adjust his body, directed his header straight at the untroubled Zaiful.
Two minutes after the restart, Tajeli whipped in a fine cross right in the money which was met by a flying header by Hazzuwan Halim into the back of the net.
Adi managed to escape tight Balestier defending before locating Hendra Azam but his shot was comfortably saved by Zaiful.
Gazale was booked for simulation which turned out to be his final piece of action as part of a double substitution with the forward being withdrawn for Najip Tarif while Nurikhwan Othman made way for Azwan Salleh.
Abd Muiz, who had broken to the first team, was denied his first goal for the club after his header at point blank range was finely tipped away by Zaiful.
Balestier’s midfielder Huzaifah Aziz danced his way into the box and after Hazzuwan slipped trying to collect his team-mate’s pass, he received a second invite after the DPMM FC defence failed to clear their lines with Helmi Zambin culpable of bringing him down.
The midfielder got off to his feet and sent Mu’izzuddin Ismail the wrong way as it looked to be no way back for DPMM FC.
Ramazotti was unlucky not to get on the score-sheet after his header off a corner grazed the crossbar with Zaiful getting a slight touch.
The hosts missed the chance to pull one back after Hendra Azam failed to hit the target with the ball kindly falling to him on the box.
DPMM FC goalkeeper Mu’izzuddin Ismail had a howler after dropping Tajeli’s shot from over 30 yards in what appeared to be third goalkeeping error in as many matches.
There was still time for DPMM FC substitute Shahrazen Said to score a scant consolation after slotting the ball home in injury time.
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