By: Rano
www.ranoadidas.com
Match Report on DPMM FC vs Super Reds
What a morale booster performance from DPMM FC! Super sub Abu Bakar Mahari made headlines again after scoring his second goal of the season which proved to be the match winner, late in the game. The match ended 2-1 in DPMM FC's favour against winless Super Reds but the victory was marred by a serious injury to Shahrazen who was stretched off early in the second half.
"Rhapsody" was the word which Simunic, DPMM FC's head coach, described his feelings after the home victory at the Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium. "Im very, very happy and the (DPMM FC) players had fun and play open football and I stayed with my words that we are better than before," said DPMM FC's coach. "The Korean team (Super Reds) surprised me on how they played but our players are hungrier and we have been playing in the cage which makes our player hungrier than before."
Abu Bakar may have raised a few eyebrows after another fine display on the field but it was his winning goal that fitted the occasion, pouncing a rebound after the Korean keeper couldn't hold onto Oh Ddog Yi's shot in the 83rd minute. The goal brought the crowd on their feet and the reward was fulfilling after months of absence, playing competitively at home.
However, it was the visitors who settled well in the early stages of the match. Perhaps it was the expectations and the nerves that are sinking in the minds of the DPMM FC camp. As the match grew, DPMM FC found their rhythm and created golden opportunities but their finishing is still far from impressive. Subhi's 6 yard shot ballooned with only the keeper to beat late in the first half while Shahrazen came close with a well directed header that landed on the roof of the net. However, it was Super Reds who drew first blood with a well struck penalty, courtesy of Jeon Byung Euk after DPMM FC's Sairol Sahari fouled Yu Hyun Koo in the box.
The Koreans made use of their heights to their advantage and winning high balls with ease. However, the home team used their pace to unsettle their opponents especially in the second half. The introduction of Abu Bakar Mahari proved fruitful and he has given more dimension to DPMM FC's attack and he partnered well with former Super Reds' striker Oh Ddog Yi who also had a commendable performance.
Park Chul Hyung and Joo Ki Hwan had been rock solid at the back, frustrating DPMM FC's momentum in attack and they also kept on winning aerial challenges. However, Super Reds fell flat in the second half and only looked dangerous in patches. Wardun, guarding DPMM FC's goal line, was less busier than his counterpart and only had one low shot saved.
Perhaps the surprise of the night was Yussof Salleh who scored from a powerful freekick. It was the challenge by Reds' Captain Yun Bo Young on Rosmin Kamis. Yussof then took over the freekick's role from Rosmin on that occasion and the gamble paid off.
The result have placed Super Reds in the bottom three with only 1 point out of a possible 9 points. Super Reds, previous runners-up, are now in an unusual position of the S-League. The favourites of the S-League will definitely be SAF FC who notched their third win out of three games. DPMM FC will have a three day rest before taking on Woodlands Wellingon at Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium this Sunday.