Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
DPMM FC were handed their 10th defeat in 12 games in the S.League after falling 1-0 to Geylang International FC last night.
The Brunei side had the opportunity to go in front in the 63rd minute but Daud Gazale failed to open his account after missing a penalty.
Substitute Shahfiq Ghani then netted the winner in the 81st minute to separate the two sides at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
Daud Gazale has yet to open his account with DPMM FC after missing a second half penalty. Picture: Yee Chun Leong
DPMM FC coach Steve Kean felt they were the better side and was disappointed with the end result.
“I think the performance was excellent. Looking at the chances of both teams, we had more… obviously the penalty and that was the turning point,” said Kean in a post match interview with the media after the loss.
“If you looked at the body language of Geylang after we missed, they got a lift while we were down. Up till that moment we had more chances.
“I was on the side of the pitch and was never really worried. The fact we lost the game is the reflection of how it has gone this season,” he added.
Nor Azli Yusoff of Geylang passes the ball. Picture: Yee Chun Leong
Playing in front of their home fans for the first time after more than two months, DPMM FC almost gave them something to cheer about in the 11th minute.
Shahrazen Said had headed Azwan Ali Rahman’s corner to the far post but his younger brother Adi just couldn’t get a touch to it for the opening goal.
Ricardo Sendra was on target 11 minutes later but DPMM FC custodian Ak Mu’izzuddin Pg Ismail denied him.
Shahrazen made his way into the box on the half hour mark before firing at goal but Geylang goalkeeper Syazwan Buhari put a stop and was fortunate to watch the ball bounce out just wide for a corner.
Gabriel Quak came close to the opener just before the halftime whistle but his shot bounced off the upright.
Hanif Hamir (R) of DPMM FC clears the ball. Picture: Yee Chun Leong
Adi had a good chance three minutes after the break but his shot went inches wide.
Sendra couldn’t connect on Quak’s freekick from the right to the far post on the hour mark.
The hosts were awarded a penalty in the 62nd minute after Yuki Ichikawa handled the ball inside the box.
Chilean forward Daud Gazale took the spot kick but Syazwan denied him by diving down his left.
The momentum shifted to the Eagles and they went in front after Faritz Hameed’s cross from the right was headed home by Shahfiq to settle the tie.
Geylang coach Noor Ali was delighted with the outcome.
"It was a tough win as they gave us a hard time. They were good with the high ball and got good players who really adapted to our playing style. But we came here to win and got the result," said Noor Ali, who is unbeaten in the League with two wins and one draw since taking over the position from Hasrin Jailani.
DPMM FC will spring back to action on Friday against Tampines Rovers FC at Our Tampines Hub in Singapore.
