DPMM FC’s Aspiration For S-League Crown Take a Beating

SINGAPORE (27 August 2012) – Brunei’s only professional club DPMM FC’s aspiration to win their first ever Singapore S-League crown took a beating last night when they fell to a 2-1 loss to Malaysia’s Harimau Muda at home at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.

The team which had recently just captured their second Singapore League Cup title was just unable to match the determination of the young Malaysian side.

“We deserved a draw with the chances we created,” said Vjeran Simunic, the chief coach of DPMM FC.

“Maybe it was because of Hari Raya Open houses. But Harimau Muda are an excellent team. They were fresh, they were hungry. They can be champions.”

The score at the half was 1-0 for the visiting Malaysian when in the 26^th minute, Wan Zack Haikal rifled in a shot from a tight angle to beat DPMM custodian Wardun Yussof.

Barely a minute after the restart, Shahrazen Said gave DPMM a reprieve when he scored off a cross from Ivan Jerkovic’s cross. But the injury to  defender Tales Ricarte dos Santos ten minutes to the end, gave DPMM the chance to score the winner when Wan Zaharulnizam nailed the winner in the 87th minute.

“We lost our last two games so it’s good to have three points back,” said Ong Kim Swee, the chief coach of Harimau Muda. “We showed our calibre despite not having some key players. I’d win the league if I had all my players fit.”

CURRENT S-LEAGUE 2012 STANDINGS