DPMM FC returned to the top four in the Singapore Premier League after thumping Geylang International FC 6-2 in what has been billed as the highest-scoring game this season thus far at the Bedok Stadium in Singapore last night.
The ‘Gegar Gegar’ men leapfrogged Home United FC but were denied third rank after Balestier Khalsa beat Young Lions on another fixture.
DPMM FC forward Volodymyr Pryymov ended his mini scoring drought with his eighth of the season in the sixth minute.
The visitors’ early breakthrough signified a role reversal from their constant habit of finding themselves behind in the first 10 minutes which has been a recurrent theme.
Adi Said deflated Geylang spirits with his side’s second goal on the brink of half-time while Mojtaba Mollasaraei marked his return from injury with a goal just minutes after the break.
Azwan Salleh scored what potentially is a contender for goal of the season after perfecting a fine technique to volley the ball home from the edge of the box.
The prolific Adi netted a brace after completing the scoring five minutes from time for his fifth goal in five league appearances.
Ryan Syaffiq, who has enjoyed a lot of possession of the ball in the wide area, made a perfect touch to set him an extra yard before sending a low cross into the centre but DPMM FC defender Brian McLean made a strong clearance away for a throw.
DPMM FC forward Mojtaba Mollasaraei did not have a clean connection with his header after meeting a cross from a teammate.
Geylang danger man Shawal Anuar whipped a delightful ball into the box but his attacking partner Fairoz Hasan scuffed his shot wide.
Geylang’s Fumiya Kogure delivered a decent cross but Wardun Yussof got the ball covered with Danish Irfan’s attempted header hitting the side-netting.
Fairoz took a chance from range and forced Wardun into a routine save while almost instantaneously at the other end Mojtaba’s shot was well blocked by Yuki Ichikawa.
However, the hosts should have taken the lead after man of the hour Shawal turned inside Brian McLean but contrived to blast his shot wide with only the keeper to beat.
DPMM FC midfielder Hendra Azam forced Geylang goalkeeper Zainol Gulam into a save from a set-piece.
Volodymyr then saw his bullet header parried away by Zainol who showed that despite limited possession they could be in the cusp of danger if given a sniff in front of goal.
Zainol was again pivotal in keeping the Eagles in the game as DPMM FC won a successive corner in the brink of half-time.
From a corner, Zainol clawed the ball from finding the roof of the net, Adi Said was the first to react to double his side lead.
Geylang suffered more woes two minutes after the restart after Mojtaba timed his run to perfection and powered home a header from an Adi Said cross.
The visitors added a fourth just shy of the hour mark after Azwan Salleh produced a screamer after reacting to a loose ball with Zainol rooted to the spot.
With Hendra withdrawn past the hour mark, substitute Yura Indera Putera returned to a familiar position in midfield.
Geylang substitute Azhar Sairudin was brandished a yellow card after lunging into Abdul Aziz Tamit with a mistimed tackle.
Volodymyr sets up Mojtaba on the far left of the pitch and after his effort was stopped by Zainol, Helmi Zambin was in the right place to finish with the rebound.
The Eagles pulled one back after Fairoz outleapt the DPMM FC defence with a fine header after meeting a good assist from substitute Ryson Yap.
Ryson again threatened with a cross which Kogure met as he guided the ball towards goal and Shawal made the telling touch to give Geylang a glimmer of hope.
The hosts nearly hit DPMM FC out cold from a counter but Shawal could not find the bottom corner despite good work of beating the defence.
Ichikawa was not far away of making it 5-3 after getting his header away from a Kogure’s deep cross but it was off target much to the relief of Wardun.
But DPMM FC demolished any hopes of a Geylang comeback after Adi Said expertly fooled a defender by feigning a shot and completing the move with a neat finish.
With a home player lying injured, Adi Said was left all open but his shot hit straight at Zainol before teeing off Abdul Azizi Rahman whose effort struck against the crossbar.
Kogure had a chance to score a scant consolation after being set up at the edge of the box but contrived to curl his shot into the stands.