SINGAPORE: Hard-running Pelita Jaya were more than a match for DPMM FC's robust physical play on Wednesday night in their preliminary round clash in the RHB Singapore Cup.
But a controversial goal by the in-form Abdelhamid Berguiga gave the S.League leaders a 1-0 victory over Fandi Ahmad's charges at Jalan Besar Stadium.
In the 76th minute, the Algerian chased down a long punt and appeared to push the ball past the covering Ardan Aras with his hand, before rounding the Pelita goalkeeper and slotting the ball into the unguarded goal.
As Berguiga celebrated, Daft Punk's "Put your hands up in the air" rang out appropriately from the speakers in the stadium.
It seemed that referee T. Aravinthan and his assistant were the only two in the stadium who failed to spot Berguiga putting his hand up to help the ball along en route to goal.
The Indonesians piled on the pressure in the last quarter of the game, but the Bruneians hung on grimly to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 11 games, as they qualified for the last eight of the Singapore Cup.
"In cup competitions only victory is important," said Vjeran Simunic, who insisted Berguiga did not use his hand for his goal.
Fandi, though, was clear about how the controversial goal came about.
"There was a handball, everyone saw it, but we only have ourselves to blame for the chances that we missed," he said.
"Credit to DPMM, they keep fighting. They really are a hard team to beat." - TODAY
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Eh Fandi.. I was at the stadium.. I did not see the handball..
ReplyDeleteIt's typical you making up excuses..