Caption: Shahrazen Said (L) got on the scoresheet for DPMM FC in the loss. Picture: Courtesy of Ortus Media
Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
DPMM FC’s run in The New Paper League Cup came to an end in the semi-finals after a 5-1 defeat at the hands of Warriors FC last night.
Singapore captain Shahril Ishak bagged a hat-trick for the Warriors while Emmeric Ong and Andrei-Cosmin Ciolacu added a goal each in the win at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.
On the other hand, Shahrazen Said scored the consolation for DPMM FC in the loss.
Maududi Hilmi Kasmi (L) in action against Warriors FC in the semi-finals of The New Paper League Cup last night. Picture: Courtesy of Ortus Media
Warriors went in front in the 26th minute after Emmeric Ong latched onto Hafiz Nor’s ball before firing past the onrushing DPMM FC goalkeeper Ak Mu’izzuddin Pg Ismail.
The Brunei side came close to an equaliser three minutes later but Adi Said headed his brother Shahrazen’s cross just over.
At the other end, Hafiz had his shot saved by Ak Mu’izzuddin from point blank range.
Another chance went begging for DPMM FC in the 40th minute but Adi put the ball wide.
They were punished for that miss as Warriors doubled their lead just before the halftime whistle.
Ho Wai Loon released Jordan Webb on his way and the latter squared the ball across goal for Shahril to tap it into home.
Warriors needed only eight minutes into the second half to add to their tally after Ciolacu headed home Webb’s cross.
They grabbed their fourth of the encounter in the 70th minute with Shahril volleying home Ho’s cross from the left byline.
DPMM FC grabbed one back seven minutes later courtesy of Shahrazen Said after he tapped home Azwan Ali’s cross-shot.
Chilean defender Vincent Salas almost cut the deficit in the 86th minute but his header was denied by the post.
Warriors were then awarded a penalty in stoppage time after Hanif Hamir was judged to handle the ball in the box and Shahril made no mistake from the spot to complete his hat-trick.
DPMM FC captain Rosmin Kamis (L) heads the ball against Warriors FC. Picture: Courtesy of Ortus Media
DPMM FC coach Steve Kean was disappointed as they looked nothing like themselves from the group stage.
“We had the chances to pull ourselves into the game but we looked sluggish and not as energetic as we’ve been in the group stages,” said Kean as quoted on the S.League.
“We were nowhere near the enthusiam to pick up the second balls.
“From scoring that amount of goals (11) and looking really solid at he back, were completely opposite in both areas tonight (Tuesday night),” he added.
“Most players were a seven or eight out of 10 in the group stages but only our right full-back was of his usual standard tonight whereas the rest were below-par.
“You can’t have that many players out of form and expect a win,” concluded the Scotsman.
Warriors will face defending champions Albirex Niigata FC (S), who beat Geylang International FC 4-0 in the other last-four match, in the title decider on Friday.
