Written by: Dwyane James

Brunei DPMM ran riot against Garena Young Lions as they secured a 7-1 win in the Great Eastern-Hyundai S.League at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Bandar Seri Begawan on Saturday night.

The duo of Rafael Ramazotti and Adi Said claimed a hat-trick each while Daud Gazale netted the other. Substitute Armin Maier scored a consolation for the developmental side.

The hosts dominated the matchup right from the start and should have gone ahead in the 26th minute.

Adi rifled a superb freekick from 25 yards out only for Young Lions goalkeeper Zharfan Rohaizad to tip over.

Ramazotti came close from the ensuing corner but nodded just wide.

DPMM went in front just before the halftime whistle with Ramazotti’s back header off a corner bulging the net.

The Brunei side came out storming in the second half and should have doubled their lead just seconds in but Zharfan denied Ramazotti with an impressive double save.

However, there was nothing the 20-year-old could do in the 50th minute with Ramazotti heading home Adi’s pin point cross from the left.

It was 3-0 three minutes later with Daud Gazale sending Adi through on goal to score.

Ramazotti then completed his hat-trick the next minute with Adi’s ball falling into the middle for him to poke past Zharfan.

Gazale got on the scoresheet in the 64th minute after his shot from outside the box was deflected into goal.

The Young Lions should have pulled one back two minutes later but substitute Zulqarnaen Suzliman’s effort came off the crossbar.

Instead over at the other end, Hendra Azam’s ball sent Adi through again to see him slot it past Zharfan to make it 6-0.

The Young Lions reduced the deficit in the 76th minute with DPMM goalkeeper Awangku Mu’izzuddin called into action to push out Yeo Hai Ngee’s freekick but the second ball fell for Armin to score.

DPMM continued the onslaught and Adi completed the victory four minutes later after nodding home a corner at the near post for his hat-trick.

Brunei DPMM FC coach Steve Kean: “It really was a strange game. First half I thought we were poor and in the second half we were superb. The key was grabbing control.

“We had control of the game in the second half and the substitutions listened. The game plan in the second half we really stuck to every detail and the players deserve credit for that.”

Garena Young Lions coach Vincent Subramaniam: “DPMM came out strongly in the second half. We managed to hold the game until 44 minutes then in the second half when three goals went in, the team sort of collapsed. That normally happens when you play with a lot of young players. They can’t hold that kind of game.

“When you lose 7-1, there is nothing positive to take out of the game. We just have to recover and get back into the next game starting brand new. Learn from the mistakes and try to be mentally stronger.”

Brunei DPMM: Awangku Mu’izzuddin (GK), Haizul Rani, Rosmin Kamis (C) (Azwan Ali 82′), Vincent Salas (Azwan Saleh 46′), Hazwan Hamzah, Helmi Zambin, Hendra Azam (Yura Indera Putera 81′), Nurikhwan Othman, Rafael Ramazotti, Adi Said, Daud Gazale