The Bruneian side ran out 3-0 winners in the second leg to progress

Azwan Ali celebrates after putting DPMM FC two goals up.

SINGAPORE, 19 SEP 2018 – Warriors FC’s hopes of a first RHB Singapore Cup triumph since 2012 were dashed by Brunei DPMM FC in a resounding 3-0 defeat in the second leg of their first-round tie at Choa Chu Kang Stadium on Wednesday night,

The visitors came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 in the first leg at Jalan Besar Stadium in late August, but it was a more straightforward affair this time.

Shah Razen Said and Azwan Ali Rahman put the Wasps two goals up within the first 30 minutes before Volodymyr Priyomov added the icing on the cake late on in a game that was played in muddy conditions.

Adi Said continued his imperious form this season with a wicked right-wing cross that found elder brother Shah Razen at the far post to head in.

Warriors custodian Mukundan Maran kept his side in the game with a series of saves as the 20-year-old turned away Azwan Ali’s long-range strike on 14 minutes, before producing a stunning reflex save to tip away Shah Razen’s snapshot a minute later.

He then denied Azwan Ali twice, rushing out well to close the angle in the 21st minute before smothering a close-range effort five minutes later.

The hosts did have a couple of chances, but Fadhil Noh and Jonathan Behe spurned their opportunities.

DPMM doubled their advantage on 28 minutes when Azwan Ali expertly turned past his marker in the box before thrashing a clean shot past Mukundan from eight yards.

Hafiz Sulaiman’s header off Tajeli Salamat free-kick clipped the crossbar before going over as the Warriors rallied, but they failed to convert any of the numerous chances they carved out.

Behe fired straight at Haimie from just outside the area on 47 minutes, before somehow lashing wide of the left-hand post from a similar distance 15 minutes later.

Khairul Nizam then failed to meet Behe’s cross with the goal gaping, before Haimie denied Behe again.

Substitute Ho Wai Loon then fired over from just inside the area on 80 minutes after Behe’s shot was palmed away and he would turn villain soon after.

On the stroke of full-time, Ho copped a straight red card for denying on Azwan Ali a clear goalscoring opportunity and Priyomov smacked in the ensuing free-kick from 30 yards to seal victory.

DPMM’s night ended on a slightly sour note though as Head Coach Rene Weber given his marching orders after an argument with the officials.

His team will face Balestier Khalsa FC in the semi-finals, with the first leg at Jalan Besar Stadium on 26 September.

WHAT THEY SAID
Warriors Head Coach Mirko Grabovac: “DPMM had a really good game with their attack(ing) force. They made two goals in the first half, but we made some changes and were very good attacking-wise in the second half. I don’t know how we never scored a goal. If we had one goal back, it would be a different game.

“This DPMM team is just too tough to beat and we just have to focus again for the league to finish in the top five.”

DPMM Team Manager Hj Ali Momin: “We’re very happy with the way we played, especially in the first half where we controlled the game and scored two goals. In the second half, we were disciplined in our defending to stop Warriors from scoring.

“(For Weber’s sending off) Coach was angry with (the) referee’s decision; usually he’s very cool but today he lost control. These things happen.

“We have not won the Singapore Cup since joining the SPL, so that’s our main target right now.”

Warriors: Mukundan Maran (GK), Emmeric Ong, Kento Fukuda (C), Hafiz Sulaiman, Ismadi Mukhtar, Ammirul Emmran (Ho Wai Loon 46’), Firdaus Kasman (Shamil Sharif 64’), Khairul Nizam (Sahil Suhaimi 75’), Tajeli Salamat, Fadhil Noh, Jonathan Behe.
Unused subs: Fashah Iskandar (GK), Delwinder Singh, Ignatius Ang, Suria Prakash .

DPMM:Haimie Nyaring (GK), Abdul Aziz Tamit, Brian McLean, Najib Tarif, Azwan Saleh, Hendra Azam (Abdul Azizi Rahman 66’), Azwan Ali Rahman, Adi Said (Mojtaba Mollasaraei 88’), Volodymyr Priymov, Shah Razen Said (C).
Unused subs: Wardun Yussof (GK), Abdul Mu’iz Sisa, Abdul Hariz Herman, Nurikhwan Othman, Hanif Hamir.