DPMM FC coach Vjeran Simunic had the birthday gift he craved for as his team continued its 100% home record, beating powerhouse SAFFC 2-1 at the Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium last evening to move to the top of the league.
Algerian striker Abdel Hamid Berguiga scored the winning goal in the 47th minute but it was not smooth sailing for the home side, as a sending-off for Pg Sallehuddin Damit and a late goal by SAFFC heightened the tension in the last ten minutes of the match.
Algerian striker Abdel Hamid Berguiga scored the winning goal in the 47th minute but it was not smooth sailing for the home side, as a sending-off for Pg Sallehuddin Damit and a late goal by SAFFC heightened the tension in the last ten minutes of the match.
Ivan Jerkovic had given DPMM an ideal start, scoring from a counterattack. Azwan Salleh started the move by firing a long pass to Berguiga down the left wing. The Algerian then squared an intelligent pass to the unmarked Jerkovic down the right before firing in a low drive past Shahril Jantan in the seventh minute.
The home side could have doubled or even tripled their lead, but it was their finishing that let them down. The Warriors had their moments too in the first half through their veteran captain Aleksandar Duric but both his headers towards goal were dealt with easily by Wardun Yussof in goal.
The home side could have doubled or even tripled their lead, but it was their finishing that let them down. The Warriors had their moments too in the first half through their veteran captain Aleksandar Duric but both his headers towards goal were dealt with easily by Wardun Yussof in goal.
Berguiga, no spring chicken himself at 34, proved his critics wrong with a vintage display upfront, constantly troubling the likes of Daniel Bennett and Kenji Arai in defence.
He had made it into the first team due to Oh Ddog Yi’s suspension, and the Algerian made an impact despite missing a hat-trick of chances in the first half.
His hard work eventually paid off early in the second period, as he gave the Wasps a two-goal cushion in the 47th minute.
Rene Komar sent a long pass into the heart of SAFFC defence where Berguiga had been a constant aerial threat. The Algerian then collected the pass and shrugged off Arai and Bennett before slotting the ball past Shahril, bringing the strong 10,000 crowd into a frenzy.
The Singaporeans were given a lifeline after Sallehuddin received his marching orders for his second bookable offence in the 78th minute. The one-man disadvantage prompted Simunic to bring in fresh legs in defence.
Thai import Therdsak Chaiman was industrious in midfield, constantly endeavouring to unlock DPMM’s stubborn defence. His pace and quick passing gave the home crowd something to worry about and late in the game, his battling performance was rewarded with a goal from a freekick.
In the 89th minute, the Thai midfielder curled in a freekick to reduce the deficit to 1-2 after Subhi Abdilah fouled an SAFFC attacker outside the penalty box. That set things up for another tense affair with four minutes of injury time.
With virtually seconds remaining, the Warriors were again given a freekick from 25 yards. However, DPMM’s defence stood firm this time and the referee blew the full-time whistle to the delight of the home supporters.
Simunic, who turned 55 last night, found delight in the result but still felt his birthday celebration had not been made ideal.
“I made a Barcelona type of match here. I’m disappointed it wasn’t 30,000 fans watching the match. We prepared very well for this game. It was fun and sweet,” commented the DPMM coach.
When asked if this is the best result, he replied, “I like all my results. I enjoy all my victories and I’m very happy with my players.”
His counterpart, Richard Bok, praised DPMM for being organised and discipline.
“You can see that DPMM were hungrier and they created more chances than us. In the first half, we were lethargic but we were better in the second half.
“We will be bounce back from this result and be stronger in the next game. We can only look forward now. We may have lost the battle but not the war.”
He had made it into the first team due to Oh Ddog Yi’s suspension, and the Algerian made an impact despite missing a hat-trick of chances in the first half.
His hard work eventually paid off early in the second period, as he gave the Wasps a two-goal cushion in the 47th minute.
Rene Komar sent a long pass into the heart of SAFFC defence where Berguiga had been a constant aerial threat. The Algerian then collected the pass and shrugged off Arai and Bennett before slotting the ball past Shahril, bringing the strong 10,000 crowd into a frenzy.
The Singaporeans were given a lifeline after Sallehuddin received his marching orders for his second bookable offence in the 78th minute. The one-man disadvantage prompted Simunic to bring in fresh legs in defence.
Thai import Therdsak Chaiman was industrious in midfield, constantly endeavouring to unlock DPMM’s stubborn defence. His pace and quick passing gave the home crowd something to worry about and late in the game, his battling performance was rewarded with a goal from a freekick.
In the 89th minute, the Thai midfielder curled in a freekick to reduce the deficit to 1-2 after Subhi Abdilah fouled an SAFFC attacker outside the penalty box. That set things up for another tense affair with four minutes of injury time.
With virtually seconds remaining, the Warriors were again given a freekick from 25 yards. However, DPMM’s defence stood firm this time and the referee blew the full-time whistle to the delight of the home supporters.
Simunic, who turned 55 last night, found delight in the result but still felt his birthday celebration had not been made ideal.
“I made a Barcelona type of match here. I’m disappointed it wasn’t 30,000 fans watching the match. We prepared very well for this game. It was fun and sweet,” commented the DPMM coach.
When asked if this is the best result, he replied, “I like all my results. I enjoy all my victories and I’m very happy with my players.”
His counterpart, Richard Bok, praised DPMM for being organised and discipline.
“You can see that DPMM were hungrier and they created more chances than us. In the first half, we were lethargic but we were better in the second half.
“We will be bounce back from this result and be stronger in the next game. We can only look forward now. We may have lost the battle but not the war.”
Rano Iskandar
info@sleague.com
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