Caption: Helmi Zambin (R) in action against Balestier Khalsa FC in the S.League last night. Picture: Courtesy of Ortus Media
Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
DPMM FC came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Balestier Khalsa FC in the S.League last night.
The Brunei side were on the verge of their 12th loss of the season before a late double by Rafael Ramazotti rescued them a point at the Toa Payoh Stadium in Singapore.
DPMM FC remain second from bottom in the nine-team table with five points from 14 games while Balestier are a position above them with 10 points having played three matches more.
The hosts got off to a best possible start after opening the scoring just six minutes into the game.
DPMM FC goalkeeper Ak Mu’izzuddin Pg Ismail fumbled Hazzuwan Halim’s freekick allowing Huzaifah Aziz to put the ball into an empty net.
Balestier dominated proceedings and Hazzuwan had two opportunities to add to the scoresheet but Ak Mu’izzuddin was to his equal on both occasions.
The DPMM FC shotstopper denied the 23-year-old from point-blank range in the 19th minute before going full stretch to keep out a shot from 30 yards out late in the opening half.
The Brunei side almost equallised just four minutes into the second half but Nur Ikhwan Othman was denied by Balestier custodian Zaiful Nizam.
The Tigers struck again on the hour mark after Raihan Rahman curled home a freekick from the edge of the box.
DPMM FC responded by sending on brothers Shahrazen and Adi Said and the move paid dividends in the 70th minute with Ramazotti pulling a goal back.
He should have added another 10 minutes later but his header to the top left corner was kept out by Zaiful Nizam.
The visitors eventually levelled two minutes later after the Brazilian headed home off Shahrazen’s cross from the right to see both teams share the spoils.
Daud Gazale (L) in action against Balestier Khalsa FC in the S.League last night. Picture: Courtesy of Ortus Media
DPMM FC coach Steve Kean was disappointed not to take maximum points out of the encounter.
“I’m actually disappointed with the result (despite coming from two goals down to draw). We had enough chances to win the game. Their keeper made three fantastic saves,” said Kean as quoted on the S.League.
“I have them a roasting at halftime because heads went down after our keeper made a mistake for the first half.
“We could have prevented it if we had two to three defenders going back to the line to clear,” he added.
“In the second half, we put in the Said brothers and they have Ramazotti the service. We pinned the Balestier defence back in their own box and it was like a training session.
“Our first half of the season was dreadful but I believe we can finish the season strongly,” concluded the Scotsman.
