DPMM draw first blank

Basil Yeo
info@sleague.com

S.League newcomers Brunei DPMM failed to score for the first time in four matches as a goalless draw with Geylang United at Bedok Stadium took them to third place on the table.

The visitors kept almost the same starting eleven from their previous games, except the inclusion of new signing Abdel Hamid Berguiga, who made his first start in the S.League in place of Azwan Salleh.

On the other end, the Eagles also maintained their starters, but Kamarulariffin Karim replaced former Home United team-mate Walid Lounis on the right side of defence, with Lounis suspended.

Geylang striker Ashrin Shariff has been in fine goalscoring form this season and his hunger showed early on with a header off-target. Less than a minute later though, DPMM’s Sairol Sahari threatened on the left, but Yasir Hanapi was on hand to stop his run cleanly.

Eagles captain Noor Ali was twice in succession the target of supply from his Slovakian team-mates Miroslav Latiak and Rastislav Belicak, but the veteran failed to capitalise both times. Belicak then served up a fine cross for Noor Ali, but the 34-year-old's header was straight at the keeper.

Berguiga was the first name in the referee’s book in the 21st minute of play as he attempted to hook down a long pass from midfield, drawing Geylang custodian Yazid Yasin off the line. The Algerian was late and high in his challenge on Yazid, but the keeper was able to continue after treatment.

Geylang had a chance on the break as Latiak sprinted clear on the counterattack and slalomed past several DPMM players, finally being taken down by Rene Komar on the edge of the box.

Tensions sparked amongst the home players as they deliberated over the responsibility of the freekick, but eventually it was Latiak himself who took it and slammed his shot into the wall.

The Eagles exposed the DPMM defence again on the counter, but Rickey Harris’ cross was cleared by Komar into the feet of Belicak. The Slovakian picked out Ashrin instead, but the former international’s shot was saved by Wardun Yussof.

As half-time approached, Harris was lucky to get away without a booking when he trod on the face of the incoming Pg Sallehuddin Damit while attempting to receive the ball, as the defender came sliding in.

DPMM came on strong after the restart, with a wonderful move set up by Oh Ddog Yi and finished by Berguiga. The Korean forward clipped the ball up for his Algerian team-mate, who beat Yazid to the ball, but his header bounced off the desperate challenge of Geylang defender Haruki Seto, off the post and away to safety.

The Bruneians were clearly not content with the stalemate point, and Yazid had to save smartly from Berguiga’s header off Shahrazen Said’s cross.

Ashrin wasted a couple of chances just after the hour mark, as he volleyed Syed Thaha’s cross into the keeper, and missed the ball completely as he attempted an overhead kick from Latiak’s cross.

The substitution of central midfielder Rosmin Kamis for Abu Bakar Mahari in the 83rd minute brought about a change in the visitors’ style of play, as they began looking for their trademark late goal.

From a corner, Oh leapt to head Haji Subhi Abdilah’s corner which forced a spectacular save from Yazid, but the referee overturned the linesman’s corner flag to signal for a dubious goal kick, prompting an angry response from DPMM coach Vjeran Simunic.

Substitute Hardi Bujang managed to win another corner as his cross curled unexpectedly towards goal, stunning Yazid who tipped it out at the last moment. The resulting corner dropped in dangerously, bouncing off the post, but Baihakki Khaizan managed to clear.

Azwan Salleh’s angled free kick was the last action of the game, as Yazid secured the point for the Eagles, gathering the ball on the second attempt.

“I am very satisfied with my team after these first four games,” said DPMM’s Simunic in the post-match interview. “But I am not satisfied with the referee. Everyone saw the goalkeeper making an excellent save, but the referee did not give a corner.”

“We should be looking at three points, but coming off back-to-back wins, DPMM was more than prepared for this game,” said Geylang’s team manager Lim Tong Hai. “They held out till the 85th minute and almost created havoc for us in the last five minutes.”

“They had their chances and we had ours, but at our home ground we should have capitalised on our opportunities and taken the three points.”