DPMM FC beat English Premier League (EPL) Legends 4-2 in an exhibition match in what was a night to remember for the supporters at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas last night.
The Legends created the first opportunity of the game as Dimitar Berbatov’s header struck the crossbar following a decent cross by Emile Heskey.
With the EPL Legends finding their feet, Jermaine Pennant dazzled past a DPMM FC defender before forcing goalkeeper Haimie anak Nyaring to tip the ball away for a corner.
From the ensuing corner, Berbatov set up Pennant who fired from close range to give his side the breakthrough.
The hosts quickly got a sniff on goal as Nazirrudin bin Haji Ismail made EPL Legends goalkeeper Paul Rachubka to work parrying the ball away.
The forward had another chance soon after but his shot trickled wide with the opposing goalkeeper clearly beaten.
The home side responded with an equaliser as Rosmin Kamis’ individual footwork was followed with a beautifully placed shot into the bottom corner.
Chances started to flow for the home side as DPMM FC midfielder Azwan Saleh tried his luck from distance but it was well off target to trouble the visiting goalkeeper.
The Brunei-based outfit took the lead as Abdul Hariz bin Herman stole in from the far post with a header.
They nearly added another following a neat exchange between Muhd Faturrahman Embran and Nazirrudin but the former scuffed his shot wide. The home side extended their lead with a two-goal cushion as Muhammad Hanif Farhan bin Azman finished off a one-two with a tidy finish.
The Legends were awarded a penalty after substitute Muhammad Ishyra Asmin Mohd Jabidi was penalised for a foul, allowing the visitors to convert from the spot.
Perhaps missing from the enthralling encounter, Muhd Syafiq Safiuddin bin Abdul Shariff thrilled the audience with a wonder strike to make it 4-2 to DPMM FC.
The forward, a new arrival who is primed for debut in the upcoming Singapore Premier League (SPL), found himself in a good position but could not get the telling touch following an inviting cross from Nazirrudin.
The celebrated visitors could have savoured the last moments of the game with a goal as Daniel Webber, who had been a threat, dragged his shot wide. – Fadhil Yunus
