DPMM FC struck a last-gasp winner to secure a famous 3-2 win over Albirex Niigata (S) in their final league match of the year in the Singapore Premier League 2024/2025 season at the Jurong East Stadium in Singapore last night.
The visitors suffered a setback in the fifth minute after defender Najib Tarif was rushed for a medical emergency following a heads-on collision with Albirex’s Haziq Kamarudin, leading serious concerns for Jamie McAllister and the bench.
The incident drew parallels to Gabriel Gama’s injury during the match against Tampines Rovers when an ambulance was called upon to the pitch.
The DPMM FC players formed a human shield around Najib who stayed on the ground in the presence of medics.
The lengthy delay led to a 17-minute first-half with all the goals coming during that period.
The hosts opened the scoring as Shingo Nakano slotted the ball home into the empty net after rounding off DPMM FC goalkeeper Haimie Abdullah Nyaring following a good delivery from Yohei Otake.
But six minutes later, the visitors drew level as Azwan Ali Rahman thumped home a sweet strike after a neat exchange with Miguel Oliveira.
Oliveira, leading the line without attacking partner Julio Cruz who has left the club, took aim and struck a low finish three minutes after the break to propel his team into the lead.
The White Swans, who were gunning for a fifth consecutive victory to boost their hopes of moving to the top four, replied through Stevia Egbus Mikuni after leaping the ball home through a corner.
The Japanese satellite team nearly found the break they needed as Otake played a good ball into the area which was chased by Nakano.
The mercurial striker, who already has 17 goals under his belt this season, looked to steer the ball home but his advances were denied by Haimie who did well to close the angle and force the ball away for a corner.
The well-positioned DPMM FC custodian came out on top again to deny a header from the Japanese following an appetising cross from a teammate.
Albirex, who have not beaten DPMM FC this season, nearly retook the lead as substitute Arshad Shamim’s effort grazed against the crossbar. The Bruneian-based outfit, who this season has already put a dent Tampines Rovers’ title hopes, broke Albirex’s hearts as Azwan Salleh popped up with the winner after latching onto Oliveira’s cross. – Fadhil Yunus
