DPMM FC’s homecoming to the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in the Singapore Premier League finished in an enthralling 3-3 draw last night.
It was their first match on home soil since their return to the Singapore top flight following an absence due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Present at the match were 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, who is also the Chairman of DPMM FC; Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Muntaqim, Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Anak Muneerah Madhul Bolkiah, Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda Muhammad Aiman and Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Anak Faathimah Az-Zahraa’ Raihaanul Bolkiah were also present.
Geylang International FC’s 21-year-old star Keito Hariya made his mark early in the game after putting up a challenge, a reminder for the hosts their intent to keep the ball.
The visitors were finally rewarded for their patience and deservedly took the lead as Naqiuddin Eunos ghosted in behind Najib Tarif to slot the ball home past DPMM FC goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski following a delivery from Vincent Bezecourt.
The hosts had not learnt their lesson leaving an opposing player as Rio Sakuma’s punishing header doubled his side’s lead following a delivery from Bezecourt.
DPMM FC pulled a goal back through Azwan Ali Rahman for his third consecutive goal for club and country but the mercurial Tomoyuki Doi was in atypical scoring form to double his side’s cushion.
Home forward Miguel Oliveira found space to strike from distance but it arrowed wide off Geylang International FC’s goalkeeper Hairul Syirhan’s goal.
Things went from bad to worse for the home side as midfielder Farshad Noor was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Nevertheless, the 10-man team was handed a lifeline after Hakeme Yazid Said came off the bench to convert a penalty in the 77th minute. Despite bereft of ideas, DPMM FC forward Julio Cruz rescued a point for his side with the equaliser three minutes later in what was his first goal for the club.
The Gegar Gegar men currently sit in fourth place while the Eagles climbed to second albeit having played two games more than third-placed Lion City Sailors. – Fadhil Yunus
