Caption: Azwan Ali Rahman in action against Tampines Rovers FC. Picture: Courtesy of Ortus Media
Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
DPMM FC were unable to spoil Tampines Rovers’ homecoming after losing 2-0 at the Our Tampines Hub in Singapore last night.
Shakir Hamzah scored in the opening half before Shahdan Sulaiman converted from the spot to seal all three points and gave the Stags a winning start in their return to the East since the end of 2011.
The defeat was the fifth straight and 11th of the S.League season for DPMM FC as they remain second from bottom in the nine-team table with four points from 13 games played.
The Stags broke the deadlock in the 27th minute with Shakir chipping DPMM FC goalkeeper Ak Mu’izzuddin Pg Ismail after receiving a backheel pass from Fazrul Nawaz.
Fazrul could have got his name on the scoresheet four minutes later after he controlled a ball over the top but volleyed over the crossbar.
DPMM FC should have equalised in the 40th minute after Daud Gazale found Azwan Saleh in space but the latter was denied by the woodwork.
The hosts came close to adding a second two minutes into the second half through Hafiz Sujad’s volley but Ak Mu’izzuddin parried it out for a corner.
Adi Said fired a powerful shot from 20 yards out on the hour mark but Tampines custodian Izwan Mahbud was to his equal at full stretch to preserve their lead.
The Stags were awarded a penalty in the 82nd minute after Ivan Dzoni was fouled in the box.
Shahdan stepped up to convert from 12 yards out to complete the victory.
DPMM FC will now shift their attention to the quarter-finals of the Singapore Cup where they will take on Home United FC.
They will contest the first leg at the Jalan Besar Stadium on August 13 while the return leg will be at the Bishan Stadium three days later.
