Written by: Dwayne James

Leaders Albirex Niigata FC (S) came from behind to stun defending champions Brunei DPMM FC 2-1 last night at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas

The Brunei side deservingly grabbed the lead through Azwan Ali Rahman before Atsushi Kawata netted twice to give the White Swans all three points.

Brunei DPMM FC had the first chance of the match in the eighth minute after Shahrazen Said chested down the ball to shoot only to see it end at the wrong side of the post.

They produced the first shot on target 10 minutes later with Shahrazen sending a cross from the right into the box but Rafael Ramazotti headed straight into the hands of Albirex skipper and shotstopper Yosuke Nozawa.

The hosts should have grabbed the lead the next minute but Azwan Salleh’s shot from 25 yards out bounced off the post.

The Brunei side had another chance in the 32nd minute but Maududi Kasmi’s effort from the edge of the box floated over.

Brunei DPMM FC were on top the entire opening half as Albirex were unable to find a way through despite being patient in their build up play from the back.

 

Another opportunity went begging for Brunei DPMM FC four minutes into the second half with Azwan Ali making a dazzling run to get past three markers before squaring Maududi at the edge of the box but the latter couldn’t find the target.

Albirex went on the attack in the 56th minute after Kento Nagasaki went down the left flank before putting the ball into the middle but none of his teammates were there to send it home.

The hosts went in front the next minute after Shahrazen sent a cross from the left into the box. It was nodded down by Ramazotti and Azwan Ali poked past Nozawa from close range.

They should have doubled their lead in the 65th minute but Ramazotti blasted his attempt over from the edge of the box.

Instead, the White Swans pulled one back off a setpiece in the 72nd minute.

Kawata headed Nagasaki’s corner for their first attempt on target and it slipped past the gloves of DPMM FC goalkeeper Wardun Yussof and into goal.

 

Kawata was close to adding a second just two minutes later but his shot from inside the 18-yard box hit the post.

The Japanese outfits were awarded a penalty in the 86th minute after Yura Indera Putera pull down Kawata inside the box.

Kawata stepped up to scored his ninth of the season from 12 yards out and ultimately put Albirex in front.

The Brunei side had one final chance to salvage a point from the encounter in added time but Azwan Salleh’s freekick from 25 yards out floated past the wall but was dealt with by Nqzawa.

 

Brunei DPMM FC coach Steve Kean: “It wasn’t as if Albirex opened us up at all. They didn’t all night. They expected us to push in and leave a lot of space but we didn’t and dropped off to protect the space. They kind of ran out of ideas.

“They never really had any penetration and never got behind us too much and two poor goals see us coming out of the game with no points.”

 

Albirex Niigata FC (S) coach Naoki Naruo: “I’m very satisfied with today (Friday night) even though we didn’t play good football. We didn’t have enough mobility and show our style of football but managed to come back for the win. It is a very good result for us.”

Brunei DPMM FC: Wardun Yussof (GK), Brian McLean, Azwan Salleh, Azwan Ali Rahman, Najib Tarif, Maududi Kasmi (Nurikhwan Othman 80’), Rosmin Kamis (C), Helmi Zambin, Rafael Ramazotti, Shahrazen Said (Adi Said 65’), Yura Indera Putera

Albirex Niigata FC (S): Yosuke Nozawa (GK, C) Mikiya Yamada, Kento Fujihara, Atsushi Shirota, Naofumi Tanaka, Shuto Inaba, Masaya Jitozono (Tatsuro Inui 61’), Kento Nagasaki, Atsushi Kawata, Daichi Ishiyama (Hiroyoshi Kamata 82’), Rui Kumada (Kazuki Mine 61’)