DPMM FC Go Top Of Table

By James Kon

Bandar Seri Begawan - Unbeaten Brunei DPMM FC topped the S League for the first time when they edged Sengkang Punggol FC 1-0 in front of their supporters at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium last night.

After the game, Brunei DPMM FC coach Vjeran Simunic was ecstatic and saluted the fans for the immense turnout to support the team. "The best players are the fans, they came to create an incredible atmosphere for the players. Fans who are not here (stadium) have missed a crucial game of Brunei DPMM FC," he said. On his team's performance, the Croatian coach said: "We did our best, all my players are heroes tonight. We expect a very tough game and Sengkang are here to dethrone us but we managed to overcome the early jitters to grab the win." The coach also has nothing but praises for Shahrazen for scoring the winner. "He did his job and I like the goal he scored today. Shahrazen is my best player, he took control of the ball and rose to the occasion." Both teams started off the match cautiously for the first 20 minutes but it was Brunei DPMM FC who almost scored on 23'1 minute when Shahrazen Said's header went just a whisker wide from a cross by Hj Subhi Abdillah. Brunei DPMM FC's goalkeeper War-dun Yussof was called into action on 27th minute when he managed to save a powerful shot outside the penalty box from Sengkang Punggol's Abdoulaye Diallo. Seven minutes from half-time, the visitors almost went ahead but Brunei DPMM FC's goalkeeper managed to make a diving save to preserve his record of a third consecutive clean sheet. After the breather, Brunei DPMM FC introduced Abdel Hamid Bergiga for the injured Rosmin Kamis and the import player nearly drew first blood when he lashed on a pass by Ivan Jerkovic and with the keeper to beat, Abdel Hamid sent the ball over the bar. Ten minutes after Shahrazen's dramatic goal in the 61st minute, Sengkang Punggol's hope of a comeback was dented when they were reduced to 10 men when referee Abdul Malik gave Jerry Bartholomeusz a second yellow card for unsporting conduct. In the dying minutes, Brunei DPMM FC's substitute, Nardi Bujang nearly put his name to the scoresheet when his long-range effort sailed just inches over the crossbar. Brunei DPMM FC's next game will be April 31 against Tampines Rovers FC at Stadium Jalan Besar in Singapore.