Written by: Dwyane James

Hougang United stole a point from Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League leaders Brunei DPMM after a 2-2 draw at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas on Sunday evening.

The Brunei side looked set for all three points before Geison Moura scored at the death to extend the Cheetahs’ unbeaten streak in the League to nine matches.

It was a slow first half to the encounter with neither side producing much in front of goal. It took half an hour into the game before DPMM got the first shot on target in the match.

Roy O’Donovan broke down the left flank and shot to the far post but Fadhil Salim went full stretch to deny the Irishman in between the Hougang United sticks.

O’Donovan got another attempt in the 40th minute but saw his shot from three yards deflected out for a corner.

DPMM came alive in the second half after bringing in Adi Said for Maududi Hilmi Kasmi as the forward injected pact into the hosts’ attack.

Roberto Alviz should have given the home side the lead in the 52nd minute after he gathered an O’Donovan cross from the left but saw his effort just inches off the top right corner.

It was Hougang who broke the deadlock as they took the lead two minutes later off a counterattack.

Diego Gama broke down the left and delivered a perfect cross for Nurhilmi Jasni to head it off the ground past the hapless DPMM goalkeeper Wardun Yussof.

Shunsuke Nakatake got another chance for the visitors in the 58th minute but the DPMM  custodian saved his shot at the near post.

O’Donovan’s diving header in the 64th minute should have leveled the game for DPMM but Fadhil put up another good save. DPMM finally equalised in the 75th minute with Adi heading home an Azwan Ali Rahman corner.

The newly crowned Starhub League Cup champions were piling on the pressure but Fadhil kept his side in the match.

The Hougang keeper had to save an O’Donovan shot at the near post in the 79th minute and came to the rescue of the Cheetahs again two minutes later to deny Adi. DPMM finally got in front in the 86th minute with Adi firing from inside the box.

The home side could have put the match away with two chances spurned by substitute Shahrazen Said in the final minute.

Rodrigo Tosi nearly put the icing on the cake late in injury time with a 35 yard looping volley but could only see his shot clash off the crossbar.

Those misses proved costly right at the death as Moura volleyed home the equaliser past a packed box.

Despite the draw, DPMM FC continue to lead the 12-team table on 39 points from 19 matches while Tampines Rovers have now cut the deficit to only one point. Hougang United remain in sixth spot with 33 points to their name.