| Fadhil Yunus |
DPMM FC forward Adi Said rescued a point for his side during the 1-1 draw against Tampines Rovers in the Singapore Premier League at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium last night.
Tampines forward Khairul Amri broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time but the ‘Gegar Gegar’ men replied through Adi’s signature free-kick in the 58th minute.
DPMM FC head coach Rene Weber had to make noticeable changes with regulars Suhaimi Anak Sulau and Hendra Azam not available for selection while Azwan Salleh is still out.
Weber could only name Azwan Ali Rahman among the substitutes with Nurikhwan Othman and Najib Tarif making starts.
The hosts carved a clear-cut chance early on with Volodymyr Pryimov meeting Nurikhwan Othman’s cross with a firm header but Tampines goalkeeper Syazwan Buhari was equal to the task.
Adi Said released an early ball through the outside of his foot into the advancing Priyomov but Syazwan went off his line to claim the ball. Despite the ball slipping through his grasps and reaching the forward, the threat had disappeared as a few men got back for Tampines.
Tampines forward Ryutaro Megumi had a couple of opportunities on either side of the pitch after hitting the side-netting from a tight angle and then getting a foot which flew wide.
The visitors took the lead just shy off half-time as Khairul Amri rounded off a flowing move with a sublime strike.
DPMM FC in-form forward Adi Said dragged his side into level terms after scoring a free-kick for his ninth goal of the season.
Tampines defender Madhu Mohana sent a good ball into the path of Khairul Amri but the goal-scorer could not keep the ball down.
The hosts suffered a setback in the 71st minute after Yura Indera Putera was dismissed from the game for a straight red.
The Stags sought to make their numerical advantage count as Ryutaro side-stepped a defender before letting a strike fly which hits the side-netting.
The hosts then delivered a good ball into the box but no-one made the decisive contact which could have propelled them into the lead and possibly the winner.
But Tampines should have retaken the lead but Mohana contrived to head the ball straight to a grateful Haimie Anak Nyaring from point blank range after meeting a cross from Jordan Webb.
The hosts looked capable of producing a winner despite the apparent handicapped personnel as on the other end Pryimov skied an effort wide.
And it was DPMM FC who nearly had the game won but Pryimov’s effort was thwarted by Syazwan following good work from Adi at the death.