Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
DPMM FC opened a five-point gap at the top of the Singapore Premier League Md Hendra Azam Md Idris’ last gasp freekick gave them a thrilling 3-2 win over Hougang United last night.
The hosts had let their halftime lead slip after Stipe Plazibat fired a double in a space of two minutes in the second half at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
Hendra Azam then scored off a freekick from the left from almost 40 yards out that missed everyone and bounced into the far post past Hougang goalkeeper Khairulhin Khalid.
DPMM FC coach Adrian Pennock praised Hendra Azam for delivering the winner.
“We should have hit the target last time against Young Lions when we had the same situation,” said Pennock in an interview with BruSports News after the match.
“He (Hendra Azam) just put the ball on goal and hits it to the far post. It misses everybody and went straight in. That’s what he has done.
“But his delivery from set plays is the best I have seen in a long time. He has got very good delivery from set plays and is very dangerous,” he added.
“We had players who wanted to score that goal but everybody missed it,” continued the former Stoke City coach.
The result means that DPMM FC completed their first round of fixtures unbeaten with six wins and two draws amassing 20 points.
The Cheetahs remain in second with 15 points while three-time defending champions Albirex Niigata FC (S) are a further point behind.
DPMM FC broke the deadlock in the 20th minute with Blake Ricciuto scoring his fifth goal of the season.
The ball was headed onto the crossbar and was misjudged by Khairulhin allowing Ricciuto to tap in from point blank range.
Hougang equalised in the 54rd minute after the ball was put over for Plazibat to chip over an onrushing Wardun Yussof.
The visitors were then awarded a penalty just two minutes later after Faris Ramli was tripped by Ak Yura Indera Putera Pg Yunos.
Plazibat then stepped up and sent Wardun the wrong way from 12 yards out to put Hougang in front.
DPMM FC were given a penalty of their own in the 63rd minute after Zulfahmi Arifin was adjudged to have handled the ball.
Andrei Varankou made no mistake to slot home the equaliser for his 11th goal of the season.
The game looked set for both sides to take a point out of the encounter before substitute Razimie Ramlli was fouled by Muhaimin Suhaimi near the DPMM FC bench resulting in the freekick.
DPMM FC will be back in action on Saturday when they host Home United FC.
