Written By: Dwayne James

Paulo Sergio created one and scored another in either half to send Brunei DPMM four points clear at the top of the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League after a 2-0 victory over Harimau Muda last night.

Closest rivals Albirex Niigata (S) are on 31 points, while Balestier Khalsa can trim the gap to three points on Sunday evening should they beat Warriors FC, who are in fourth spot.

It was almost a perfect start for the hosts at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium after Rosmin Kamis got on the end of a Sergio free-kick in the fourth minute but he could not keep his header on target.

They came close again five minutes later but Boris Raspudic missed his connection with another Sergio free-kick at the far post.

Harimau Muda finally got into the match and had their first chance in the 16th minute with skipper Nazirul Hashim attempting a 30-yard free-kick at goal only to watch it float over.

They were on target in the 28th minute but the ball was headed straight into the hands of DPMM shotstopper Wardun Yussof.

DPMM went ahead in the 31st minute after Azwan Salleh delivered the ball into the box for Sergio.

The Portuguese forward took a quick one-touch pass to send Maududi through on goal down to left and he slotted past Harimau Muda goalkeeper Ramdhan Hamid.

They almost doubled their lead in similar fashion four minutes later with Sergio finding Azwan but the latter could not get the right touch.

Harimau Muda were on target again in the 39th minute after Ashmawi Yakin drove a low shot only to be denied by Wardun.

Harimau Muda were fortunate in the first half’s stoppage time after Ramdhan fumbled an Azwan free-kick but none of the DPMM players reacted quickly enough.

Sergio could have doubled the lead for DPMM three minutes after the interval but Ramdhan was to his equal and kept his effort from the edge of the box out.

Harimau Muda were enjoying plenty of ball possession and should have equalised in the 59th minute.

Ridzuan Abdunloh Pula was through on goal on the left and Wardun came off his line to close down the shot.

The ball was sent across the face of goal with two Harimau Muda players lurking in the danger area but Akhir Bahari only managed to find the side netting of an open goal at the far post.

Another chance came for the Malaysian side in the 67th minute with Ridzuan putting a cross into the box but Akhir could not keep his header on target.

Instead, DPMM doubled their advantage six minutes later with Sergio whipping in a free-kick from 25 yards out that beat everyone.

Ramazotti chested down another Sergio free-kick six minutes later but blasted his attempt over.

Harimau Muda were desperate but Adam Nor’s volley inside the box in the 83rd minute was off the target and Nazirul could only fire a 25-yard freekick over the bar three minutes later.

Brunei DPMM: Wardun Yussof (GK), Sairol Sahari (Najib Tarif 72′), Brian McLean, Azwan Saleh, Paulo Sergio, Hendra Azam (Indera Putera  71′), Maududi Hilmi, Rosmin Kamis (C), Boris Raspudic, Aminuddin Zakwan, Rafael Ramazotti

Harimau Muda: Ramdhan Hamid (GK), Ashmawi Yakin, Irfan Zakaria, Amirul Hisyam, Shahrul Igwan (Adam Nor 46′), Rudzuan Abdunloh Pula, Kumaahran Sathasivam, Syawal Nordin, Akhir Bahari, Nazirul Hashim (C), Annas Rahmat