Sutee frustrates DPMM FC

A world class free-kick by Thailand international midfielder Sutee Suksomkit earned Tampines Rovers a deserved 1-1 draw against DPMM FC in the league match at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore last night.

Renowned for his dangerous left foot,the 28-year old Thai willingly displayed his ability to score from free-kicks when he curled one past the wall and into the right netting in the 75th minute just outside the box, giving DPMM FC goalkeeper, Wardun Yusof no chance.

The draw that means that both teams maintain their unbeaten run in this year's campaign, with DPMM remaining in third with 15 pointsand Tampines fourth with 11 points.

The visitors were never really able to assert control in the match,largely due to their midfield which was unable to make its mark in the centre of the park.

To their credit, DPMM FC were technically and defensively sound, playing impressive man-to-man defence which prevented two time S-League champions Tampines Rovers from finding the back of the net from open play.

The fact that DPMM FC libero Rene Komar was named Man of the Match show just how important the team's defence was in securing the draw, with the Croatian's most important contribution being perhaps his awareness to clear off a shot off the line by Tampines Japanese midfielder Akihiro Nakamura just seconds after Sutee had equalised.

Lacking possession and quality on the ball, the Bruneians were lucky that winger Sairol Sahri's cross from the left saw Tampines defender Shariff Abd Samat put the ball into his own net with a diving header to hand them a surprise lead in the 63rd minute.

But despite the goal, the DPMM FC players did not awake from their slumber and were forced to continue playing on the back foot until Sutee equalised 12 minutes later.

Sutee, a player English Premiership side Chelsea had their eyes four years ago, had a chance to open the scoring in the 19th minute but Wardun was up to the challenge and parried his low shot to the right post to concede a corner.

Tampines had the lion's share of corners and it was only in the 47th minute that DPMM were able to get their first, with the Stags already notching up seven by this point.

Both teams found it tight in midfield for the first 20 minutes and were unable to find an avenue to attack that paid off, though the home side definitely looked the more threatening of the two.

Tampines were able to carve some chances but their finishing were lacking, forcing them to go into the dressing room at half time with a goaless draw.

The substitution of experienced Algerian striker Abdel Hamid Berguiga for the ineffective South Korean Oh Ddog Yi was perhaps DPMM 's head coach Vjeran Simunic's smartest move.

The animated Croatian was on the touchlines shouting instructions to his charges for most of the match but at least Berguiga did not get any of the abuse, doing a superb job of holding the ball and dribbling to create space.

The 35-year old hitman almost opened his account for the club in the 60th minute but his header from striker Shahrazen Said's pass agonisingly hit the woodwork, leaving Tampines goalkeeper Hassan Sunny rooted to the spot.

Sairol's cross minutes later provided the Bruneians some reprieve after Shariff headed the ball into his own net, but the confidence they gained after the goal soon evaporated.

Not being able to string passes together and craft chances, were made to pay with Sutee's screamer which sent the home fans into wild celebration.

DPMM FC's next match is against Gombak United at the Jalan Besar Stadium next Friday.