Fadhil Yunus
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office attended the second leg of the Brunei FA Cup 2022 match between DPMM FC and Kota Ranger FC at the Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas yesterday.
Also present were His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen; Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Muntaqim; and Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Anak Muneerah Madhul Bolkiah; as well as other members of the royal family.
The two-time Singapore Premier League winners continued their quest of winning a domestic silverware after confirming their place in the title decider following a 3-0 aggregate win over Kota Ranger FC in the two-legged semifinal.
The Jerudong outfit comfortably saw their opponents off with a 2-0 win in the leg following first half efforts from Muhammad Shahrazen Said and Abdul Azizi Ali Rahman.
Hakeme Yazid bin Said, who was targetted among opposing fans, miscued his effort as the end of the first half was fast approaching.
Late in the first half, Kota Ranger fans voiced their displeasure with the refereeing of the game and let their feelings known with a cacophony of boos directed to the referees.
With Hakeme deployed in the flanks, there was an interesting link-up play with substitute Syariee Mohamad Masrazni, but it was to no fruition as the Kota Ranger defence held firm.
The Gegar Gegar men were untroubled as Mohammad Helmi Haji Zambin ventured to have a sight of goal, though Kota Ranger FC goalkeeper Mohammad Hendra Putra Idris kept the ball out to safety.
The heated atmosphere and chaotic scenes which unfolded at the end of the first half appeared to simmer down when one of the supporters on the stands cracked a joke as a DPMM FC player accidentally tripped in the box.
The supporter in question whimsically called for a penalty despite no contact was made by a Kota Ranger player, invoking fits of laughter among the delirious crowd who saw the funny side of things.
But the game was marred by an ugly fracas involving both camps at the end of the tie as tempers flared.
DPMM FC will meet Kasuka FC in the final after the latter navigated past record Brunei FA Cup winners MS ABDB in the other semi-final on Saturday night.
