Young Lions frustrate DPMM FC with stalemate

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

DPMM FC were held to a goalless draw against the Young Lions in the Singapore Premier League at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas last night.

The result means that the Brunei side are now on 17 points, two clear of second-placed Hougang United, who defeated three-time defending champions Albirex Niigata FC (S) 4-2 at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.

The Young Lions came to Brunei in hopes of getting a point and got exactly what they wanted by defending.

Blake Ricciuto (L) in action. Picture: Yee Chun Leong

Shahrazen Said had a good opportunity in the 11^th minute but the ball was tackled away just before he could unleash his shot from inside the six-yard box.

The Young Lions didn’t allow the hosts to build any momentum and fouled whenever to stop play.

Current League topscorer Andrei Varankou had two setpieces late in the first half but couldn’t put them away.

He was on target four minutes after the interval but only fired straight at Young Lions custodian Kenji Rusydi.

Charlie Clough headed straight at Kenji in the 64^th minute while a freekick by Md Hendra Azam Md Idris floated just wide late on.

Razimie Ramlli (L) tries to keep the ball in play. Picture: Yee Chun Leong

The Young Lions had a chance to get their first ever win over the Brunei side in the 90^th minute but Haiqal Paisha’s shot was blocked by Hazwan Hamzah to see DPMM FC extend their unbeaten run in the League to 14 games.

DPMM FC coach Adrian Pennock was disappointed with the points dropped from the encounter.

“Obviously we are disappointed with the draw but teams will come play that way. They (Young Lions) are very pleased to come here for a draw,” said Pennock in a post match interview with BruSports News.

“Their gameplay was very good as they stopped our momentum and we couldn’t get going. Fairplay to them as they ruined the game,” he added.

Kenji Rusydi (L) secures the ball from Azizi Ali Rahman. Picture: Yee Chun Leong

“It is one of those games but it is still a point and we got to realise that teams will do that to us. We have to find a way to break them down and play a little better,” concluded the former Stoke City coach.

DPMM FC won’t have much time to rest and will next host Hougang on Sunday night.