News • April 16, 2016

Wasps Hand Tigers Their Sixth Consecutive Loss

Written by: Dwayne James

Ten-man Brunei DPMM FC piled on more misery on Balestier Khalsa FC with a 3-1 victory at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium on Friday night.

Rafael Ramazotti and Azwan Ali Rahman gave the Brunei side a 2-0 lead at halftime before Balestier second half substitute Hazzuwan Halim made it game on in the second half.

Shahrazen Said also came off the bench to net late on to ensure three points for the Brunei side.
Balestier created danger early on in the third minute as Fadhil Noh sent a good through ball to Miroslav Kristic but DPMM FC goalkeeper Wardun Yussof came off his line to clear the ball.

Emir Lotinac tried his luck from just outside the box in the 14^th minute but fired wide.

The hosts should have broken the deadlock in the 15^th minute but Ramazotti’s header was denied by the woodwork. Azwan Ali got on the rebound but couldn’t place it on target.

The Brunei side got another opportunity in the 25^th minute after Paulo Sergio sent Azwan Ali through on goal but his shot was saved by Balestier skipper and goalkeeper Zaiful Nizam.

They went on the attack again six minutes later and Sergio had his shot deflected to the far post but Azwan Ali fired wide from outside the six-yard box.

Brunei DPMM FC finally got in front in the 32^nd minute after Ramazotti chested down Azwan Ali’s cross from the left to shoot past Zaiful.

The defending champions doubled the lead four minutes later after Azwan Ali faked his initial shot before firing at goal from the edge of the box.

They could have added another in the 40th minute but Azwan Salleh’s shot was deflected inches wide of the target. Ramazzoti got at the end of the ensuing corner but blasted his header just over.

Brunei DPMM FC got right on the attack after the interval and Maududi Hilmi Kasmi was made to rue a missed opportunity in the 48^thminute after watching his header bounce off the upright.

Jamil Ali was proving to be a handful down the left and had a good chance to pull one back for the Tigers in the 59^th minute but his shot floated just wide.

They got even closer the next minute as Zulkiffli Hassim rattled the crossbar. Maududi was on target again in the 65^th minute but Zaiful pulled off a good save.

The Tigers finally pulled one back the next minute after Fazli Ayob put the ball across goal for Hazzuwan to slot home.

Sergio almost restored the two-goal cushion in the 69^th minute but curled his effort just wide.

Shahrazen, who only came on for two minutes, struck a powerful shot the next minute but was met by the upright.

Balestier were on target in the 72^nd minute with Fazli drilling a low shot at goal but was kept out by Wardun.

Zaiful denied Ramazotti a brace two minutes later but the rebound fell for Shahrazen to fire home.

The only blemish for Brunei DPMM FC came late into added time when Sergio was booked for running through when Zaiful Nizam was about to take a goal-kick.

The Portuguese forward contested the decision and was eventually given a second yellow to see the Brunei side finish with a man down.

Brunei DPMM FC coach Steve Kean: “We’re really happy with the points but the disappointing thing is that now we find ourselves missing Paulo Sergio. I don’t think that when he (Sergio) runs through there is anything in the yellow card.

“I don’t think it was a yellow card and we are not asking for any favours for the imports but we are asking that referees don’t invent anything. I can’t understand why it was a yellow card and I’ve been in the game a long time. That has left a bad taste in our mouth.”

Balestier Khalsa FC coach Marko Kraljevic: “It was coming very nicely. Confidence came back after the goal. I was hoping for a second goal but there was one good save by the goalkeeper and after they scored the third goal it was difficult to come back.”

Brunei DPMM FC: Wardun Yussof (GK), Sairol Sahari (Najib Hj Tarif 45’), Brian McLean, Azwan Salleh, Azwan Ali Rahman (Shahrazen Said 68’), Paulo Sergio, Maududi Kasmi (Hendra Azam 84’), Rosmin Kamis (C), Aminuddin Zakwan, Rafael Ramazotti, Yura Indera Putera

Balestier Khalsa FC: Zaiful Nizam (GK, C) Fadli Kamis, Hanafi Salleh, Emir Lotinac, Miroslav Kristic (Syafiq Zainal 60’), Sheikh Abdul Hadi, Jamil Ali, Fazli Ayob, Fadhil Noh (Zulkiffli Hassim 45’), Ahmad Syahir, Smajovic Sadin (Hazzuwan Halim 45’)