Written by: Zack Rahim

Brunei DPMM still lead the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League but winning the title may not be as straight forward as once thought after they could only earn a 0-0 draw with Geylang International FC on Saturday evening.

Thwarted by the woodwork three times in a lively second half, it seemed that DPMM had to settle for the draw, which was the first time they failed to score at home all season.

With Aliff Shafaein pulling the strings in midfield and distributing the ball for Geylang, the visitors looked the more impressive of the two sides and threatened when captain Ridhuan Muhammad hit the post in the 16th minute and was inches wide with another attempt a minute later.

DPMM defender Abdul Aziz Tamit was kicking himself after failing to get enough on a free-kick from Azwan Ali Rahman at the far post in the 17th minute.

Aliff had a header that was saved by Wardun Yussof in the 32nd minute, and unable to spread play, DPMM were second best in midfield for the first 45 minutes.

Geylang glovesman Siddiq Durimi came out of his box to deny Roy O’ Donovan and Roberto Alviz in the 38th minute, with Aliff creating the first real chance of the second half when he shot straight at Wardun in the 48th minute.

O’Donovan had a header that was saved by Siddiq four minutes later and Alviz had a shot that sailed wide of the right post in the 57th minute.

DPMM’s Rodrigo Tosi headed wide of the left post in the 62nd minute, and in the 69th minute, O’Donovan had two shots which went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock – the first saved by Siddiq and the second hitting the right post.

Another highlight came in the 79th minute when Tosi headed a cross to O’Donovan, whose shot from the right was denied by the post.

Irishman O’Donovan found himself through on goal in the 86th minute, but the crowd – who were on their feet – could only watch in slow-motion as his kick was inches away from the left post.

Alviz’s free kick which hit the right post in the 88th minute summed up DPMM’s night, and a gallant Geylang left with their heads high after holding DPMM to a goalless but entertaining draw.