The visitors won for the first time in six matches at Toa Payoh Stadium to go third

Shah Razen Said of Brunei DPMM FC advances up the pitch against Balestier Khalsa FC.

SINGAPORE, 13 MAY 2018 – Brunei DPMM FC overcame a one-goal deficit  to condemn Balestier Khalsa FC to a 2-1 loss in the Great Eastern-Hyundai Singapore Premier League (SPL) on Sunday night at Toa Payoh Stadium.

The Tigers took an early lead within two minutes of kick-off, with Brian McLean stabbing his clearance straight at Hazzuwan Halim, who did supremely well to rifle in the opener from just inside the box.

An instant response could have been made by DPMM at the other end, but Shah Razen Said could only drill his shot just wide of the post.

Content to protect their lead, Balestier sat back and were put under a sustained spell of pressure by DPMM.

But the hosts nearly doubled their lead in the 22nd minute, only for Hazzuwan to see his dipping free-kick clear the bar.

Just after the half-hour mark, another counter nearly yielded dividends for Balestier. Noor Akid Nordin drove his way down the left channel before finding Vedran Mesec, but the Croatian could only divert his effort past the post.

But the Wasps came out a different side in the second half and were rewarded with an equaliaer in the 55th minute.

Shah Razen played a one-two with Azwan Saleh before laying it on a plate for league top scorer Volodymyr Priyomov to smash home from close range to make it 1-1.

Both Shah Razen and his brother Adi would then miss several chances, but the latter etched his name onto the scoresheet in the 64th minute.

Helmi Zambin won a penalty, which Adi coolly converted to set DPMM on their way to a first win in six matches at Toa Payoh.

They were helped by the brilliance of goalkeeper Haimie Nyaring, who prevented an own goal by Helmi in the 86th minute, before making a superb one-handed save to tip away Mesec’s stinging drive.

Hazzuwan had the last chance of the game as he found space at the edge of the box, but he failed to find the mark as the Tigers fell to defeat.

WHAT THEY SAID
Balestier Head Coach Marko Kraljevic: “In the second half, they started putting pressure on us and were more aggressive. We conceded the goal and it was tough for the young boys (as) we were not able to hold the ball. We were unlucky to not equalise; it was a good last 20 minutes (from us) but it was too late… the one cleared off the line, one shot by Vedran (Mesec) and one shot by Hazzuwan, we made a lot of chances but luck is not on our side (tonight).”

DPMM Head Coach Rene Weber: “It was a very tough (match), we suffered again in the beginning but the final result is important. In the second half, we played like our team (is capable of). I hope we can, (in) every game, play like how we played in the second half today.”

Balestier: Zaiful Nizam (GK) (C), Fadli Kamis, Shaqi Sulaiman, Sufianto Salleh, Ahmad Syahir, Afiq Salman Tan, Fariz Faizal (Akbar Shah Zainudeen 64’), Vedran Mesec, Khairuddin Omar (Nurisham Jupri 81’), Noor Akid Nordin (Daniel Hazreel 83’), Hazzuwan Halim.
Unused subs: Hafiz Ahmad (GK), Khalili Khalif, Nurullah Hussein, Sharin Majid.

DPMM: Haimie Nyaring (GK), Brian McLean, Hendra Azam, Azwan Saleh, Suhaimi Sulau, Helmi Zembin, Abdul Aziz Tamit, Shah Razen Said (C), Adi Said, Mojtaba Mollasaraei, Volodymyr Priyomov.
Unused subs: Wardun Yussof (GK) Abdul Mu’iz Sisa, Reduan Petara, Abdul Azizi Rahman, Shafie Efenddy, Nurikhwan Othman, Hanif Hamir.

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