Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
DPMM FC coach Adrian Pennock was relieved to watch his side fend off Balestier Khalsa FC 2-1 in the Singapore Premier League to grab all three points on Friday night.
The Brunei side needed to bounce back after their suffering their first defeat of the season against Tampines Rovers FC last Saturday.
“We just needed a win. We let ourselves down last week and we were very poor,” said Pennock at pitchside after the victory at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
“We gave it everything and we could have been more ruthless in front of goal but it was very important for us to win today (Friday).
“We are just enjoying the ride as we know we won’t win every game. It is fantastic and a massive three points. Well done to the players,” continued the Englishman.
DPMM FC got off to a good start needing only five minutes to break the deadlock after a ball from the right was volleyed home by Azizi Ali Rahman.
The hosts failed to add to their disadvantage despite spending plenty of time inside their opponents’ half.
League topscorer Andrei Varankou, who netted five times in their last meeting, had several chances but just couldn’t hit the target.
The Tigers then equalised just three minutes into the second half after an individual effort by Sime Zuzul.
The Croatian got the better of three markers before firing it past Wardun Yussof in between the DPMM FC sticks.
DPMM FC got back in front five minutes later after Blake Ricciuto was given plenty of space at the edge of the box allowing him to fire past Naqiuddin Nodin.
Azwan Ali Rahman had back-to-back opportunities but couldn’t hit the target.
In a bizarre incident, Zuzul should have been sent off after pulling Helmi Zambin back in the 74th minute.
The referee had produced a second yellow card before the red card but withdrew and instead booked Ahmad Syahir for an ensuing challenge after the first foul.
Azwan Ali could have killed off the game two minutes from time but his shot was kept out by Naqiuddin.
The Tigers almost stole a point from the encounter late into added time but Suriya Ramesh just couldn’t get a touch to a ball from point blank range.
The biggest concerns from the game were the head injuries sustained by defender Charlie Clough and Nur Ikhwan Othman.
“Charlie and Khwan both came out with head injuries. Khwan felt dizzy so we came out late after half time as he had to see a doctor,” explained Pennock.
“But that’s why we have a squad. Everyone needs to step up to the mark.
“Like I said we are enjoying the ride and we are looking forward to next week’s game,” he concluded.
DPMM FC will next face Warriors FC on Saturday at the Jurong East Stadium.
