Written by: Ryan Low

Warriors FC have reached The New Paper League Cup Final for the first time under head coach Razif Onn after thrashing Brunei DPMM 5-1 in the semi-final tie at Jalan Besar Stadium on Tuesday night.

Singapore captain Shahril Ishak scored a hat-trick, while Emmeric Ong and Andrei-Cosmin Ciolacu was also on the scoresheet, rendering Shahrazen Said’s lone strike for DPMM a mere consolation.

The Warriors showed more desire from the get-go and fired off-target twice before grabbing the opening goal in the 26th minute.

Shahril’s reverse pass put an overlapping Ong through on goal and the right-back finished coolly beyond the onrushing DPMM custodian Awangku Mu’izzuddin for his first-ever professional goal.

DPMM showed some respite thereafter and could have equalised in the 40th minute, but Adi Said could only prod wide from Azwan Ali’s scuffed shot.

The Wasps paid the price for that miss as Warriors would double their lead just before half time.

Released by Ho Wai Loon, Canadian winger Jordan Webb raced down the right byline before squaring across goal for Shahril to convert from unmissable range.

Razif Onn’s side carried where they left off after the restart, with Romanian forward Ciolacu nodding home Webb’s left-wing cross to make it 3-0 in the 53rd minute.

The Warriors kept pushing forward thereafter and duly grabbed a fourth in the 70th minute, with Shahril firing a first-time volley off Ho’s cross from the left byline past a stranded Mu’izzuddin.

Steve Kean’s outfit would pull one back seven minutes later, with Shahrazen at the right place at the right time to tap in Azwan Ali’s cross-shot.

However, Warriors would seal the resounding victory deep into injury time with Shahril converting from 12 yards out to take home the match ball after Hanif Hamir was adjudged to have handled in the box.

Brunei DPMM Head Coach Steve Kean: “We had chances to pull ourselves back into the game but we looked sluggish and not as energetic as we’ve been in the group stages. We were nowhere near the enthusiasm to pick up the second balls.

“From scoring that amount of goals (11) and looking really solid at the back, we were completely opposite in both areas tonight. Most players were a seven or eight out of 10 in the group stages, but only our right full-back were of his usual standard tonight whereas the rest were below-par. You can’t have that many players out of form and expect a win.”

Warriors FC Head Coach Razif Onn: “I didn’t expect (this huge win). DPMM had chances but the important thing is the goals scored and we took our chances well to score five. DPMM didn’t have their full squad and that probably was an advantage to us.

“You can also see how Jordan and Shahril played, they went down the flank and sent in crosses, which was fantastic, hopefully they can do it in the final against Albirex Niigata (S).

“When we approach any tournament, we’re looking for favourable results to win. It doesn’t matter whether we have won it before, the important thing is to give all our heart (in the final) to get the victory.”

Brunei DPMM: Awangku Mu’izzuddin (GK), Haizul Rani, Hanif Hamir, Vincent Salas, Najib Tarif, Azwan Saleh (Hendra Azam 62’), Rosmin Kamis (C), Najib Tarif, Maududi Hilmi Kasmi (Helmi Zambin 62’), Azwan Ali Rahman, Shahrazen Said, Adi Said (Daud Gazale 69’)

Warriors FC: Basil Chan (GK), Emmeric Ong, Kento Fukuda, Baihakki Khaizan (Aniq Iskandar 90’), Zulfadli Zainal Abidin, Syaqir Sulaiman, Ho Wai Loon, Hafiz Nor (Ridhuan Muhammad 88’), Jordan Webb, Shahril Ishak (C), Andrei-Cosmin Ciolacu (Shaiful Esah 82’)