SINGAPORE (16 July 2019) – DPMM FC of Brunei kept up the chase for their first Singapore Premier League crown in four years when they cruised past the Young Lions as defending champions Albirex Niigata fell to their third defeat this season.
The win saw Brunei DPMM going four points clear at the top of the SPL over Albirex Niigata (S) after amassing 34 points from 15 matches played.
Albirex have picked up 30 points from the same number of games as Hougang United remained third.
The Young Lions’ dismal record against the Bruneian side continued as they went down to a narrow defeat, despite a much-improved second-half showing.
The leaders took the deserved win when Charlie Clough headed Hendra Azam’s deep free-kick back across the area for Abdul Azizi Rahman, who met it with a first-time finish early in the 11th minute.
In the meantime, Hougang made history by becoming the first team in close to four years to triumph against Albirex at their Jurong East fortress, snapping their incredible 48-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.
The Cheetahs bounced back from last week’s shock defeat to Young Lions by charging out of the blocks and were rewarded when the irrepressible Faris Ramli won a penalty.
While Stipe Plazibat’s spot-kick was saved, the Croatian slotted in the rebound and then capped a fine team move six minutes later.
Faris surged into the box and cut the ball back for Afiq Noor, who calmly teed Plazibat to slot in from 10 yards.
Zamani Zamri reduced arrears by finishing off a stray back pass and the Cheetahs withstood late pressure to dent their opponents’ title hopes.
Elsewhere, Radojko Avramovic picked up his second win with Home United when they beat Geylang 3-2 and Tampines beat Warriors 2-1.
SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE 2019 Current Standings
| No | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | DPMM | 15 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 32 | 14 | +18 | 34 |
| 2 | Albirex Niigata (S) | 15 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 24 | 13 | +11 | 30 |
| 3 | Hougang United | 15 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 31 | 24 | +7 | 26 |
| 4 | Tampines Rovers | 14 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 31 | 18 | +13 | 23 |
| 5 | Home United | 14 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 21 | 24 | −3 | 20 |
| 6 | Geylang International | 16 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 22 | 30 | −8 | 17 |
| 7 | Warriors | 15 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 25 | 35 | −10 | 15 |
| 8 | Young Lions | 15 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 23 | −13 | 13 |
| 9 | Balestier Khalsa | 15 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 18 | 33 | −15 | 11 |
