Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
DPMM FC were sent crashing to their fourth defeat of the S.League season after dropping 5-3 to Warriors FC last night.
The win extends the Warriors' unbeaten start to five games and sends them joint top with defending champions Albirex Niigata FC (S) on 13 points.
It is also the first time that the Warriors topped the Brunei side in their last eight encounters.
Rafael Ramazotti found the back of the net twice while Billy Mehmet was the other that got his name on the scoresheet for DPMM FC in a losing effort.
On the other hand, Jordan Webb bagged a brace while the trio of Kento Fukuda, Ridhuan Muhamad and Joel Tshibamba all scored a goal each for the Warriors in the victory at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
Helmi Zambin (L) being chased by Ho Wai Loon of Warriors FC during their S.League match last night. Picture: Yee Chun Leong
DPMM FC looked the better team in the first 20 minutes but it was the Warriors then who had the first real chance of the game.
Webb did well on the right flank before putting the ball across the face of goal for Tshibamba but the latter missed the sitter from point blank range.
He made amends for his miss five minutes later with a pass to send Webb through on goal to slot the ball past an onrushing Alizanda Sitom in between the DPMM FC sticks.
The hosts were not their usual selves and had trouble stringing their passes together.
The ball remained in the DPMM FC half much of the remainder of the first half.
However, DPMM FC equalised with the last action of the opening half after Ramazotti headed home Md Hendra Azam Md Idris’ ball into the box.
The Warriors almost regained the lead 40 seconds after the interval but Tshibamba somehow rocketed his shot over from 10 yards out.
They got back in front in the 55th minute with Webb firing a low shot into the bottom left corner after a one-two with a teammate.
Jordan Webb (L) of Warriors FC being defended by Nur Ikhwan Othman during their S.League match last night. PIcture: Yee Chun Leong
The game was almost level again three minutes later but Nur Ikhwan Othman’s long range effort came off the crossbar.
It was 2-2 in the 62nd minute after Azwan Ali Rahman found Mehmet to fire home from just inside the box.
The Warriors took the lead for the second time in the match 11 minutes later after Alizanda punched a freekick from the left only for it to come off an opponent allowing Fukuda for a simple finish.
DPMM FC looked down and out in the 81st minute after Shahril Ishak cut back the ball for substitute Ridhuan to make it 4-2.
The hosts were given a lifeline after Ramazotti headed home his second of the match three minutes later.
Tshibamba then killed off chances of a comeback in the 87th minute after skipping past his defender before firing past Alizanda to bag all three points.
DPMM FC will next face Geylang International FC at the Bedok Stadium in Singapore on Thursday.
Rafael Ramazotti (L) being marked by Baihakki Khaizan of Warriors FC during their S.League match last night. Picture: Yee Chun Leong
Brunei DPMM FC coach Steve Kean:
“It was a bad result. I think two of the important aspects of the game were tough on us. We expected a foul on Ramazotti but didn't get it. Instead they cleared the ball and scored. I thought it was a clear foul. The second one, the ball was played up to Ramazotti and he took a lovely touch on his chest but instead we get a foul against us. They then played it forward and scored.
The goals were poor from our point of view but they are big points of the game. I get confused when seeing some of the decisions from the referees. Our forwards don’t get a lot of protection and any time opposition defence… we got guys in there with stud marks on their back, neck and head. We are looking at same protection, not more than opposition.
Having said that, we didn't defend well. we defended poorly. Especially Webb's goal where he takes it when he was at the touchline for a long time and he showed good skill. We got to tackle better and defend better as a team. At the moment we are always look like scoring but also look like conceding goals. This means more hard work on the training ground and turn this bad run around with hard work.
We know as a team we have to do better and obviously individually and collectively have to defend better. It shouldn't get to a stage where we need six goals to win at home. That can't happen.”
Warriors FC coach Razif Onn:
“It was a thrilling game. I was a bit shocked that after we scored, they scored. Brunei DPMM FC played very well, in fact, I watched them in their past few matches and this is one of the best they have played.
Unfortunately our attacking power is much better than theirs and that's why we managed five goals in 90 minutes. I have to thank my players especially coming back to lead is not easy. They played their hearts out.”
Md Hendra Azam Md Idris (L) being defended by two Warriors FC players during their S.League match last night. Picture: Yee Chun Leong
