| Fadhil Yunus |
DPMM FC enhanced their prospects of finishing as runners-up in the Singapore Premier League after edging nine-man Tampines Rovers FC 2-1 at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas last night.
The ‘Gegar-Gegar’ men raced to a 2-0 lead following a second-half double from Volodymyr Priyomov and though Daniel Bennett’s 78th minute goal for the visitors handed a mini scare, the hosts saw the game out for a priceless win.
Volodymyr also enhanced his hopes of the top scorer award after his surge of form saw him two goals behind leading marksman Shuhei Hoshino of Albirex Niigata (S) and one behind Warriors FC forward Jonathan Behe.
The hosts came close in breaking the deadlock after Azwan Ali’s decent effort clipped the bar.
The visitors carved a decent chance from outside the box after forward Taufik Suparno’s effort sailed over the bar while on the other end, DPMM FC forward Volodymyr Priyomov sliced his effort wide.
Yasir then arrowed his shot wide from range albeit little harm to the DPMM FC goalkeeper Haimie anak Nyaring.
Azwan Ali provided a fine ball into the middle but Volodymyr took a slightly heavy touch as Madhu Mohana was able to track him down and clear the danger.
Yasir got onto the end of a Ryutaro Megumi cross but could not apply the perfect connection to trouble Haimie.
Azwan Ali curled a good drive outside the box but ended well wide off the far post despite Tampines Rovers FC goalkeeper Syazwan Buhari beaten.
Three minutes after the restart, Volodymyr directed his header into the bottom corner after connecting from a Hendra Azam cross for his 16th goal of the season.
The Stags were reduced to 10 men after Fahrudin Mustafic was sent off for a professional foul after Volodymyr outran him.
The lethal Ukrainian striking assassin doubled the lead with another header after guiding the ball in the near post with Adi Said having a hand with yet another assist.
Tampines pulled one back after defender Daniel Bennett beat his marker to direct his header home.
The visitors’ task of leaving with a point in their travel got even harder after Yasir became the second player to be shown the red card.
Ryutaro somehow found his way past the defence but was left with no room for a clear shot as DPMM FC put more bodies in the box
The home side nearly killed the tie after Daniel Bennett could only clear into the path of Adi Said who saw his shot brush against the post.
But there were still late drama at the end as the hosts were reduced to 10 men after Azwan Ali was sent off for a second bookable offence.