Fadhil Yunus
DPMM FC were stunned by a pair of Albirex Niigata (S) substitutes during a 2-0 defeat in the Singapore Premier League match at the Jurong East Stadium in Singapore on Saturday night.
The Japanese outfit made the first real attacking threat of the game as forward Tadanari Lee scuffed his shot after being set up by Shunsaku Kishimoto.
The Gegar Gegar men nearly pulled level as Andrei Varankou brushed against the crossbar following a dangerous cross by Azwan Ali Rahman into the box.
The Jurong crowd were treated to a top drawer as substitute Riku Fukashiro pulled off a stunning strike out of his locker for his fourth goal of the season.
The hosts clipped the crossbar with the rebound effort ending harmlessly wide after Shodai Yokoyama had initially made an inviting ball into the box.
The excellent Yokoyama was at the thick of action again as his cleverly weighted ball gave Seia Kunori a good chance who hit a first-time shot.
But DPMM FC goalkeeper Haimie anak Nyaring was equal to the task and made a good stop as Albirex pressed for a second goal.
The league leaders got their second off the game as another substitute Keito Komatsu struck in the 81st minute.
But it was Yokoyama again who made the goal-scoring chance happen after his perfectly placed pass to Shuto Komaki who laid an assist to Komatsu to tap the ball into the empty net.
DPMM FC Head Coach Adrian Pennock said during a post-match interview, “I thought we’ve done really well. I was really pleased with them.”
He added, “Obviously the goals changed games. We’ve had good chances as well.
“We had a good game plan and it was working. They got frustrated. If we took our chances, then maybe it’s a different story.”
The head coach concluded, “I’m so proud of the boys. I thought they put a really good shift in. I cannot fault them at all.”