Kasuka FC enjoyed a successful defence of the Brunei Super League (BSL) after defeating DPMM FC 3-2 in the title-deciding clash at the Jerudong Park Mini Stadium recently.
The reigning holders were confirmed champions after the final result allowed them to leapfrog the title-chasing DPMM FC on the last day of the season.
The Gegar Gegar men entered the contest with a one-point lead and only need a draw to seal a first Super League crown having won all of their first 12 matches.
However, Kasuka, whose only blip came in a 2-2 draw against Indera SC last November, knew a win would allow them to pip their rivals to the title.
The match between the league’s top teams started in a high intensity with both teams looking to make their mark. The two titans have passed several tests against the league’s trickier sides but this encounter would decide the prize that both teams were chasing for.
The visitors looked very dangerous on the break and enjoyed possession as they looked to carve open the DPMM FC defence.
The holders drew first blood as Willian dos Santos pulled off a stunning effort to beat DPMM FC goalkeeper Jefri Syafiq Ishak.
The sub-plot to arguably the biggest match of this season is the tussle for the top scorer award between DPMM FC’s Sergio Mendiguchia Iglesias and Kasuka FC’s Willian dos Santos.
With the attacking players setting their sights on the individual accolade, the Brazilian’s opener put him in par with Sergio on 33 goals.
The hosts needed a reply and a platform to build on quickly as Sergio Mendiguchia Iglesias rolled the ball home after a ball landed back into the box amid calls for an offside which never came.
Although their good work were undone with the equaliser, the threat remained to be coming from Kasuka and their attacking intent led to a turning point of the game. In another twist, an attacker slid a ball that put his teammate through on goal and as another player took over the ball, Jefri Syafiq came and made contact.
The visitors were awarded a penalty and Willian dos Santos converted despite the DPMM FC goalkeeper getting a touch to spark yet another frenzy among the supporters.
As the match paused for half time, Kasuka – who boast as many as 13 players with DPMM FC affiliations in their ranks including team official Sairol Sahari – carried the upper hand in the title race.
Kasuka’s dreams of winning a second consecutive crown were now close to reality as William dos Santos completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute.
Though Luis Matias Hernandez-Miruena scored in stoppage time, DPMM FC ran out of time and ended the competition in heartbreak after stuttering to their only loss of the campaign.
But, they were denied by a well-oiled machine who had just gone through two consecutive seasons with an unbeaten record and are without defeat in 29 matches. – Fadhil Yunus
