DPMM FC took a step closer towards qualification to the knock-out phase of the 2024-2025 Singapore Cup after seeing off Albirex Niigata (S) in a 3-1 win at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore recently.
The Group ‘A’ leaders put distance between themselves and second-placed Tampines Rovers FC after the result saw them move three points clear in the race for a place in the last four.
The Gegar Gegar’s men fortunes spelled the end of Albirex Niigata’s stay in the competition as their third successive loss confirmed their elimination.
The designated hosts carved the first opportunity of the game as Naziruddin Ismail tried to guide his header into the roof of the net which cleared the bar following Azwan Ali Rahman’s free kick.
DPMM FC foreign duo Davis Ikaunieks and Gabriel Gama combined on the box with the latter making a deceiving pass that left his teammate free from the spectating defence.
Ikaunieks, who was brought in to bolster the attack following the departure of Julio Cruz, continued his goal-scoring run after finishing the tidy move past veteran goalkeeper Hassan Sunny.
The visitors looked in search for an equaliser but a well-positioned DPMM FC goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski tipped away Shuhei Hoshino’s shot to safety.
The Brunei-based outfit doubled their lead as Nurikhwan Othman headed home following a corner delivery after goalkeeper Hassan Sunny appeared to commit with his attempt to punch the ball.
The Japanese satellite team were handed a lifeline to revive their faltering hopes as Shingo Nakano tapped the ball home from close range after meeting a pass from Junki Kenn Yoshimura.
But any hopes of a comeback was dashed two minutes from time as Ikaunieks produced a low finish after Hanif Farhan Azman clipped the ball into the box.
DPMM FC head coach Jamie McAllister said in a post-match interview, “I’m extremely proud with most of the performance. Just the first half alone I thought we were outstanding in possession and dominated out of possession.”
He continued, “We were so organised and disciplined in our defending and every player gave everything.”
“It is nice to clinch it with the third goal. It is a great victory and hopefully it’s good enough to get us to the semi-finals.”
Meanwhile, Davis Ikaunieks valued the importance of victory regardless of getting in the score-sheet or not.
The two-goal hero said, “It is not important who scores but if you get every game three points it’s the best.”
DPMM FC will conclude their group stage campaign against Hougang United FC on March 15 and will be assured of a place in the semi-finals with a win. – Fadhil Yunus
