DPMM FC began the new calendar year with a highly-entertaining 1-1 draw against Kuching City FC in a football friendly match at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas last night.
The home side opened the lead after new boy Damir Muminovic struck from close range much to the enjoyment of the supporters.
The Icelandic defender joined DPMM FC during the league break last month in a bid to strengthen the side’s defence and he showed his attacking instincts to score in his first appearance for the team.
The visitors proved a handful in the second half and moved fluidly without necessarily gaining the end result.
The home defence wilted under pressure by the strong resistance of Moses Atede to let the ball loose but his shot drifted away and never troubled Haimie Anak Nyaring.
And the Sarawakian neighbours knocked on DPMM FC door again as they stretched the play wide with an overlapping run from Zahrul Nizwan only failing a clinical touch for a leveller.
The Brunei-based outfit nearly had all their men in their own half bar Hakeme Yazid Said but to their credit they defended resolutely and the moment which Haimie got his hands warm was to parry away a cross.
The Gegar Gegar men made wholesale changes with eight players entering the fray as Head Coach Jamie McAllister looked to freshen up his side.
With the fans turning audible as the group of substitutes waited for their entrance, it will be a much-needed boost to clock minutes ahead of their first competitive match of the season.
But the deafening cheers were silenced as James Okwuosa as a result of a set-piece to put his side on level terms.
Despite enjoying much of the possession, the hosts looked likely to deliver the knockout blow as they finally reached the final third on the dying embers of the match.
DPMM FC’s midfielder Faturrahman Embran delicately chipped ball was met by Miguel Oliveira and though he got his shot on target, the angle was against him to cause visiting goalkeeper much concern. – Fadhil Yunus
