SINGAPORE (14 April 2012) – DPMM FC kept their unbeaten record intact when they beat struggling Tanjong Pagar United FC 3-2 at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas to maintain their position at the top of the S-League.
Striker Shahrazen Said nailed a brace with goals in the sixth and 22nd minute for DPMM to be comfortable 2-0 in front at the break. Mohd Subhi Abdillah Bakir then added the third goal in the game just some nine minutes after the restart.
But after the hour mark, DPMM seemed to lose focus somewhat as they allowed Tanjong Pagar to crawl back into the game with two quick goals.
Tanjong Pagar’s first goal in the game was a penalty that was converted by Takaya Kawanabe in the 66th minute after referee Sukhbir Singh faulted DPMM defender Tales Ricarte dos Santos for impeding.
Three minutes later, Tanjong Pagar doubled their lead when Asraf Rashid let loose a stinger from outside the box to bring the score to 3-2 to DPMM’s advantage. But the homesters regrouped soon after and they stood firm at the back to deny Tanjong Pagar the one point.
“We have never lost in the S-League playing at home. I don’t consider that 6-1 loss to Home United in 2009 (when the team were down to eight men) as a defeat,” said Vjeran Simunic, the chief coach of Brunei.
“The fans have brought us on top and they have kept us on top. We are doing this together.”
CURRENT S-LEAGUE 2012 STANDINGS
| No | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Brunei DPMM | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 8 | +10 | 20 |
| 2 | Balestier Khalsa | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 6 | +4 | 18 |
| 3 | Home United | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 19 | 11 | +8 | 15 |
| 4 | Tampines Rovers | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 6 | +10 | 14 |
| 5 | Harimau Muda | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 5 | +7 | 14 |
| 6 | Albirex Niigata (S) | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 12 | +2 | 13 |
| 7 | Hougang United | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 10 | +3 | 11 |
| 8 | Gombak United | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 8 | −1 | 9 |
| 9 | Singapore Armed Forces | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 16 | 17 | −1 | 8 |
| 10 | Woodlands Wellington | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 13 | −6 | 8 |
| 11 | Geylang United | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 24 | −15 | 6 |
| 12 | Tanjong Pagar United | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 19 | −12 | 4 |
| 13 | Young Lions | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 15 | −10 | 1 |
