Caption: DPMM FC celebrate their win against Balestier Khalsa FC. Picture: Courtesy of Ortus Media
Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
DPMM FC are through to the semi-finals of The New Paper League Cup after dispatching Balestier Khalsa FC 3-0 in Group B last night at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.
This is the first time that the three-time champions managed back-to-back wins this season and it is also only their second cleansheet thus far.
Geylang International FC are also through to the last-four after they beat Tampines Rovers FC 4-1 in the other match last night.
DPMM FC got off to the best of starts and grabbed the lead inside the opening six minutes.
A good counter attack led by Maududi Hilmi Kasmi allowed Azwan Ali Rahman to get the better of this defender before firing a low shot past Balestier goalkeeper Zaiful Nizam.
DPMM FC then doubled their lead in the 42nd mnute after Adi Said’s shot from a tight angle came off Ashrul Syafeeq into his own net.
The Brunei side completed the victory in the 70th minute after Adi converted his older brother’s cutback into the six-yard box.
Adi Said (L) has found the back of the net for the second consecutive game in The New Paper League Cup. Picture: Courtesy of Ortus Media
DPMM FC coach Steve Kean is glad that results are coming their way.
“Things were changing even before this. We were playing well in the S.League, but were unlucky not to get results,” said Kean as quoted on the S.League website.
“We had a new goalkeeper, two new centrebacks, a new right-back and a new midfield combination, so we needed some time and now we are coming into form,” he added.
There also won’t be automatic spots for imports Rafael Ramazotti and Daud Gazale in the starting line up when they come back from injury.
“Ramazotti and Gazale are coming back from injury, but they’re going to find it hard coming back into this team,” said the former Blackburn Rovers manager.
“The attackers are playing well and there’s no point changing the starting eleven.
“In the last game (against Geylang International FC), we won’t be resting; we’ll still try to play and win the game,” he concluded.
