| Fadhil Yunus |
DPMM FC climbed to third place in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) after coming from behind against Balestier Khalsa FC to win 2-1 at the Toa Payoh Stadium in Singapore yesterday.
The turnaround in consecutive matches for the ‘Gegar Gegar’ men meant that things are looking tight in a three-way tie for second place with all teams recording 10 points.
The visitors also finally erased an unwanted record of not winning at the Toa Payoh Stadium in six appearances since returning to the Singapore Premier League in 2012.
Balestier enjoyed a great start after Hazzuwan Halim flew a stunning rocket just outside the penalty area after Fadli Kamis drove into the box and Vedran Metsec seeing his shot blocked.
DPMM FC, who has a knack for conceding early goals, had a shaky start.
Balestier Khalsa needed to work on their communication in defence as Adi Said was left on own trying to feed Volodymyr Priyomov with a cross and the loose ball fell kindly to Shahrazen Said, who dragged his shot wide.
The goal-scorer had another chance taking his shot early but was deflected away for a corner.
Shahrazen Said looked for Mojtaba Mollasaraei on the wings who tried to square it into the middle of the box but Shaqi Sulaiman was on hand to snuff out the danger.
The visitors’ monopolised possession dominating 68 per cent of possession in the first 12 minutes and they were in a good position after winning a free-kick, but Balestier goalkeeper Zaiful Nizam was untroubled.
Volodymyr drove into the box purposefully but was adjudged for a push as the defence was relieved to see the whistle being blown.
With a low centre of gravity, Balestier lynchpin Hazzuwan was always going to be favourite to beat DPMM FC defender Brian McLean with his nifty footwork, moments after his team-mate Suhaimi Anak Sulau had conceded a free-kick on the other end.
He nearly found his second of the game as his free-kick dipped over the bar after choosing the direct shot option than delivering a cross.
Afiq had a chance to pull the trigger from range but it was well blocked by Brian McLean. Straight on the other end, Mojtaba fell in the box but a penalty appeal was turned down.
Balestier’s Noor Akid Nordin proved to be a real livewire on the left hand side and laid the ball for Mesec who dragged his shot wide.
Hazzuwan was one of the bright sparks not only goal but all-around play typified by his ability to entice Abdul Aziz Tamit into committing a foul which forced his perpetrator to be in the referee’s books.
After a corner was over-hit, the ball found its way to Hendra Azam who skied his effort wide.
With Volodymyr deprived of service in most of the first half, DPMM FC found the equaliser after the Ukrainian struck a thunderous shot across the crossbar in the 55th minute.
With the game opening up, Hazzuwan struck his shot across the face of the goal as the hosts looked to regain the lead.
The Tigers went pear-shaped after Ahmad Syahir clumsily felled Adi Said for a penalty as Adi Said rifled home an emphatic shot into the top corner.
The hosts, who had spring in their steps, were running riot as Shaqi was within inches on rendering this game over with an own goal after an awkward clearance.
Priyomov was starting to see more of the game as he unleashed a shot from the edge of the box but Sufianto Salleh pulled out a leg to divert the ball away for a corner.
Iranian forward Mojtaba spurned the chance to kill the tie after getting his header completely wrong while leading scorer Priyomov missed the chance to add to his seven-goal tally after firing wide in a one-on-one situation.
DPMM FC goalkeeper Haimie Anak Nyaring saved his side from dropping points after he cleared Mesec’s effort off the line before producing a spectacular save to deny a ferocious strike from the Croatian.
Hazzuwan nearly had the final say in the encounter after finding space to beat a DPMM FC player but his shot trickled wide.
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