Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
LEADERS DPMM FC ended a two-game losing skid after putting up a dominant display to defeat Geylang International FC 3-0 in the Singapore Premier League last night.
The trio of Hakeme Said, Md Hendra Azam Md Idris and Adi Said got on the scoresheet for the Brunei side at the Hassanal Bokiah National Stadium in Berakas.
DPMM FC dominated proceedings right from the opening whistle and kept their opponents in their own half with high pressing.
Their best chance was a header by debutant Hakeme late on but it was denied by the crossbar.
After a goalless first half, the hosts grabbed a much deserved lead after Hakeme intercepted a back pass before slotting the ball past Zainol Gulam in between the Geylang sticks.
They came close again just two minutes later but Azizi Ali Rahman just missed a touch on Ak Fakharazzi Pg Hassan’s cross from the left.
DPMM FC double their lead in the 54th minute courtesy of a well struck freekick by Md Hendra Azam past the outstretched arm of Zainol.
Substitute Adi Said then killed of the game completely with a superb strike from the edge of the box off a counter attack in the 86th minute.
The Eagles almost got a consolation two minutes into added time - their only shot on target in the game - but DPMM FC goalkeeper Wardun Yussof was there for the save to ensure he picks up his eighth cleansheet of the season.
DPMM FC will next face the Young Lions at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore on Tuesday.
DPMM FC coach Adrian Pennock: “I said to the boys at halftime not to panic. I thought we should have been 3-0 up at halftime.
I told them not to panic and play the way they were as they were creating chances and that is all you can ask for. The energy and everything else today (Friday night) were very good.”
Geylang International FC coach Mohd Noor Ali: “We wanted to stop high balls. No one in the league plays their football like that except for Brunei, playing the long ball to the target man.
A cross or corner is half a chance for them. They make use of what they have. They kept pumping the ball and pressuring us which made things difficult for us
For us they are toughest to play in the league with their rugby style football but they are top of table with that kind of football. Credit to them.”
