Lions gift to DPMM FC

DPMM FC are back on their winning ways, but they have a Singaporean defender to thank for their 1-0 win against the Young Lions last night.

Eager to make amends for their first loss last weekend, DPMM were looking for their seventh win of the season when they took on the Singapore Under-23 team at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium last night.

Though the only goal of the match came in the 56th minute when Young Lions defender Shahir Hamzah turned a Yusof Salleh cross from the right into his own net,DPMM Fc is boss is not complaining.

"They announced the goal was scored by Hj Subhi, but if you ask me, Yussof scored the goal," said Simunic scored the goal.

"I am very satisfied with our performance ... We needed the win to keep up with Gombak and they are now only two points away," he added.

The result cements DPMM spot at third in the league,two points behind Gombak. Defending champions SAF FC remain top of the league on goal difference.

DPMM might feel robbed by referee, T.Aravinthan, who turned down two penalty claims in the first half and showed South Korean striker Oh Ddog Yi a second red after what he had judged to be a harsh tackle in injury time.

However, they have none to blame but themselves for not building on their lead, creating several chances and watching at least two of them find the crossbar instead of the back of the net.

The home side got into their rhythm 10 minutes intot the match, but only after the midfielder Ivan Jerkovic had a penalty claim turned down in the fifth minute.

Seconds later, Yussof looping header which was tipped away by Young Lions goalkeeper and captain, Izwan Mahmud, and the 19-year old would continue to keep his side in the game with his commanding play in front of the net.

Ten minutes later it was Algerian striker Abdel Hamid Berguiga who was appealing to Aravinthan for a penalty after his volley hit the hand of one of the Young Lions defenders, but it was all in vain.

Gabriel Quak had a chance to grab the lead for the visitors in the 21st minute but his shot from the left went across the face of the goal - the best chance for the Singaporeans in the half.

Subhi had a shot which rattled thew framework in the 34th minute and Izwan would find himself busy for the next few minutes.

A through pass in the 35th minute saw striker Shahrazen Said receive the ball just outside the box to create a on-on-one situation against Izwan, but the shot stopper came out top.

Hardly a minute later Hamid found himself in a similar situation, but once again Izwan could not be beaten.

But Izwan out of his line and the ball falling to the onrushing Shahrazen late in injury time, DPMM looked certain to go into the break with a lead.To the agony of the home fans, he failed to compose himself and his shot sailed wide.

The Young Lions started the second half brightly but they soon found themselves on the backfoot,being made to pay in the 56th minute when Yusof's cross saw Shahir miskick the ball to give the home side the lead which they expertly protected until the final whistle.