15 May 2016

DPMM FC grind out win over Hougang

Sunday, May 15, 2016

DPMM FC snapped their three-game winless streak in the Singapore League (S-League) with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Hougang United FC last night.
Paulo Sergio and Azwan Ali Rahman had given the reigning champions a two-goal cushion at halftime at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
Stipe Plazibat and Jozef Kaplan answered back for the Cheetahs in a span of five minutes after the break before substitute Shahrazen Said netted late on to secure the hosts their first win of the second round.
The result propels DPMM FC to third in the table with 18 points on a better goal difference from Home United FC, who have a game in hand, and Geylang International FC.
The Eagles picked up their third straight win in the other game last night after coming from behind for a 3-1 victory over 10-man Balestier Khalsa FC at the Toa Payoh Stadium in Singapore.
Hougang are now down to sixth position just a point back from the trio but also have a game in hand.
DPMM FC got off to a bright start with Sergio on target with a strike from inside the box just 35 seconds in but his attempt was saved by Hougang goalkeeper Khairulhin Khalid.
Plazibat had a chance for Hougang in the second minute at the other end but poked his effort wide from inside the six-yard box.
The hosts grabbed the lead in the ninth minute after Azwan Ali delivered a cross from the right to the far post and was headed home by Sergio.
Rafael Ramazotti got at the end of an Azwan Salleh freekick on the right in the 15th minute but his header went just wide.
Hougang skipper Kaplan drove a low shot from the edge of the box three minutes later but it ended at the wrong side of the post.
The Cheetahs were temporarily down to 10 men after Plazibat was stretchered off in the 24th minute to treat an injury.
DPMM FC took full advantage of the situation and doubled their lead the next minute.
Sergio played a neat pass to send Azwan Ali through on goal and the latter blasted it past Khairulhin to make it 2-0.
The Brunei side continued to pour forward and got another opportunity in the 34th minute.
Sergio launched a freekick from 40 yards out into the box but Brian McLean couldn’t keep his header on target.
Sergio sent a cross from the left three minutes later but Ramazotti too couldn’t put it on target. DPMM FC had a good chance to add another to the scoresheet in the 42nd minute but Azwan Salleh’s effort from inside the box went straight to the Hougang custodian.
The reigning champions had back-to-back chances in the 51st minute with Azwan Salleh striking the post and Ramazotti’s header was saved by Khairulhin.
In turn, Hougang pulled one back four minutes later after Plazibat placed his freekick from 25 yards out into the bottom corner. Substitute Iqbal Hussain should have done better two minutes later but he blasted over from 12 yards out.
Khairulhin pulled off another stop to deny Sergio in the 58th minute but at the other end Kaplan squeezed past two markers before putting the ball past Wardun for his first goal of the season to equalise for Hougang.
DPMM FC coach Steve Kean made two attacking changes by sending on both Shahrazen and Md Hendra Azam Md Idris in the 64th minute for Azwan Ali and Azwan Salleh respectively.
The game could have gone either way but it was DPMM FC who went back in front in the 82nd minute with Sergio putting a good ball into the box from the right for Shahrazen to collect and fire past Khairulhin.
The Cheetahs should have equalised three minutes later but Plazibat headed the ball over from 10 yards out.
Hougang piled on the pressure and Kaplan tried to pick out Plazibat the next minute but McLean managed to intercept the pass to clear the danger.
DPMM FC could have killed off the game in the 88th minute with Sergio crossing from the right for Ramazotti but the Brazilian somehow missed from point blank range.
Hougang had one last effort in stoppage time after good build up play but M Anumanthan fired over to the relief of the home crowd.

The Brunei Times

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