DPMM FC defender Nazry Aiman Azaman scored a last-gasp equaliser to help salvage his side a point in a dramatic 1-1 draw against Tampines Rovers FC in the 2024-2025 Singapore Cup at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore last night.
The 20-year old scored his first senior competitive goal in Singapore football to keep his side in contention for qualification in Group ‘A’.
The hosts carved the first clear-cut opportunity of the game but DPMM FC goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski came on top of a one-on-one situation with Seia Kunori to thwart his effort.
The Brunei-based outfit showed promise in attack as Nazirrudin Ismail rose his header over the bar following a corner taken by Miguel Oliveira.
Tampines defender Milos Zlatkovic struck a fierce shot which just missed the bar after taking a slight de-flection off an opponent before DPMM FC goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski calmly saved Kyoga Nakamura’s effort.
They tried to conjure an opener from a set-piece play as Naumovski was called into action with a decent save on the near post to stop a header from defender Dylan Fox.
DPMM FC midfielder Farshad Noor took aim and applied plenty of power in his shot but flew wide.
The Stags thought they had scored the opener after Joel Chew struck from close range but it was correctly ruled out for offside.
Naumovski came to his team’s rescue after denying Tampines forward Glenn Kweh on a one-versus-one situation after he was played through by Seia Kunori.
Tampines midfielder Shah Shahiran then saw his shot saved by Naumovski following a cushioned header by Kweh.
The home side finished the opening half strongly as Japanese forward Itsuki Enomoto headed wide after meeting a sublime cross by Irfan Najeeb.
Arya Igami tried to beat Naumovski on the near post but the latter produced another crucial stop to keep his side in the game.
The four-time winners took the lead after Seia Kunori’s free-kick deflected off Azwan Ali Rahman towards goal in the 80th minute.
Tampines could have killed the tie off but Taufik Suparno fluffed his lines with Naumovski only in his sights after a delicious low cross from Kunori.
And their inability to put the game to rest proved costly as Nazry Aiman Azaman drove a stunning volley after Naumovski had earlier made a nuisance on the box. – Fadhil Yunus
