Brunei DPMM FC overcame a one-goal deficit to condemn Balestier Khalsa FC to a 2-1 loss in the Great Eastern-Hyundai Singapore Premier League (SPL) on Sunday night at Toa Payoh Stadium.
The Tigers took an early lead within two minutes of kick-off, with Brian McLean stabbing his clearance straight at Hazzuwan Halim, who did supremely well to rifle in the opener from just inside the box.
An instant response could have been made by DPMM at the other end, but Shah Razen Said could only drill his shot just wide of the post.
Content to protect their lead, Balestier sat back and were put under a sustained spell of pressure by DPMM.
But the hosts nearly doubled their lead in the 22nd minute, only for Hazzuwan to see his dipping free-kick clear the bar.
Just after the half-hour mark, another counter nearly yielded dividends for Balestier. Noor Akid Nordin drove his way down the left channel before finding Vedran Mesec, but the Croatian could only divert his effort past the post.
But the Wasps came out a different side in the second half and were rewarded with an equaliaer in the 55th minute.
Shah Razen played a one-two with Azwan Saleh before laying it on a plate for league top scorer Volodymyr Priyomov to smash home from close range to make it 1-1.
Both Shah Razen and his brother Adi would then miss several chances, but the latter etched his name onto the scoresheet in the 64th minute.
Helmi Zambin won a penalty, which Adi coolly converted to set DPMM on their way to a first win in six matches at Toa Payoh.
They were helped by the brilliance of goalkeeper Haimie Nyaring, who prevented an own goal by Helmi in the 86th minute, before making a superb one-handed save to tip away Mesec’s stinging drive.
Hazzuwan had the last chance of the game as he found space at the edge of the box, but he failed to find the mark as the Tigers fell to defeat.- www.fas.org.sg
