Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
ANDREI VARANKOU bagged a hat-trick to propel DPMM FC closer to the Singapore Premier League title after a 3-0 win over Warriors FC last night at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
The Brunei side are now on 47 points followed by Hougang United FC, who will take on Geylang International FC today, five points behind.
Tampines Rovers FC are out of the title race after a 3-3 draw against Balestier Khalsa FC in an earlier game to see them fall 10 points back with a game in hand.
DPMM FC broke the deadlock just after the half hour mark after Md Hendra Azam Md Idris took the ball off Jonathan Behe before passing the ball to Azwan Ali Rahman.
The latter then put a good ball forward over the top to send Varankou through allowing him to smash the ball past Warriors goalkeeper Shahul Rayyan.
The hosts almost added a second in the 40th minute but Adi Said’s freekick from the edge of the box came off the crossbar.
DPMM FC doubled their lead just five minutes into the second half after Azwan Ali threaded the Warriors defence sending Varankou through.
He skipped past the challenge of A Aaravin before putting the ball into the far post for his second of the game.
Varankou tried one from the edge of the box just on the hour mark but Shahul was there to catch his effort.
At the other end, Sahil Suhaimi and Behe played a good one-two for the latter to fire but DPMM FC captain and birthday boy Wardun Yussof dived down to protect his near post.
DPMM FC scored their third of the game in the 67th minute after Adi played a through ball to send Azwan Ali through on goal.
He put the ball to his left instead of going at it alone and was fortunate that Delwinder Singh’s clearance came off the back of his keeper allowing Varankou to put home the rebound to complete his hat-trick - bringing his tally to 19 goals this season.
Azwan Ali came close to getting his name on the scoresheet almost immediately after the restart with an attempt from 25 yards but got a hand to it.
Another opportunity went begging for DPMM FC in the 75th minute after Adi lost his marker to put the ball into the area but Varankou couldn’t steer his header on target.
Wardun ensured that he would finish the game with a record 10th clean sheet of the season after denying Khairul Nizam from close range.
DPMM FC will play their second last league game on Wednesday when they host Tampines.
