Brunei DPMM FC made history in the S.League to become the first foreign team to lift the Singapore League Cup by beating SAF FC yesterday in a penalty shootout 5-4 after both sides were tied one goal apiece.
The hero who emerged from the dust was Brunei DPMM FC’s goalkeeper Wardun Yussof who managed to come up with two crucial saves in the penalty shootout.
After both teams were tied with three penalties each, Wardun Yussof managed to save the penalty from Masahiro Fukasawa to take a closer step in capturing the cup.
To the disappointment of the fans, in the next penalty shot, Oh Ddog Yi’s effort was saved by SAF FC’s goalkeeper Shahril Jantan.
SAF FC’s Razaleigh Khalik then stepped up to take the following penalty and was again saved by Wardun Yussof with a one-hand block. Brunei DPMM FC’s captain Rosmin Kamis calmly took the crucial penalty to seal off the marathon game.
Coach DPMM F.C Simunic after the game said, "I am proud of the team’s achievement. It has been my dream to see Brunei DPMM FC win the cup."
He added " The hard fought win is also a gift to Brunei Darussalam and the fans."
Starting without three key players, Abdel Hamid, Pengiran Sallehuddin and leading goal scorer Ivan Jerkovic, who were diagnosed with food poisoning, Brunei DPMM FC were hard pressed in the early setting
And it was SAF FC which shocked Brunei DPMM FC just eight minutes after the start of them final when No 4 Hafiz Osman hit a cross from midfield to find Aleksander Duric who then took a pinpoint header into the net.
However, Brunei DPMM FC bounced back swiftly, two minutes later from an unlikely source. Croatian defender Rene Komar took control of the ball in midfield and ran his way within 30 yards from SAF FC goalmouth to strike a powerful ball that curled to the right corner of the net, beating SAF FC’s goalkeeper Shahril Jantan to level the score.
Keeping pressure on SAF FC, Brunei DPMM FC almost went ahead on the 17th minute. Korean import Oh Ddog Yi on the right side of the penalty box, turned around losing his defender and hit a powerful strike that sailed across the goalmouth and hit the post.
Brunei DPMM FC next chance of taking the lead came on the 30th minute. Shairol Sahari took a free kick on the right side of the SAF FC’s goalpost that met Rene Komar. His header was saved by the alert SAF FC’s goalkeeper Shahril Jantan at the far post.
Seven minutes later, Shairol Sahari free kick forced a diving save by SAF FC’s goalkeeper Shahril Jantan.
After the break, SAF FC came out with a renewed aspiration to snatch the cup which they had not yet won in their many illustrious years in S League.
On the 52th minutes, SAF FC’s Hafiz Osman came near of scoring when his shot went just wide after receiving a pass from Aleksander Duric from a header.
Six minutes later, Brunei DPMM FC’s substitute Hardi Bujang nearly hit the back of the net when his powerful effort forced SAF FC’s goalkeeper Shahril Jantan into action with a diving save.
On the opposite end, Wardun Yussof had to came up with two impressive saves in the dying minutes of regular time to keep Brunei DPMM FC in the game.
The first save came on the 85th minute when Wardun Yussof put up a diving save to Park Tae Won’s strike from outside the penalty box. And on the 87th minute, Wardun Yussof again came up with a crucial save against Aleksander Duric header.
In extra time, SAF F.C were looking more likely to grab the winner especially in the dying moments of the game where Ahmad Latif header just sailed wide after receiving a cross from Shaiful Ehsan.
And then John Wilkinson’s header on the 116th minute was saved by in-form goalkeeper Wardun Yussof.
Brunei DPMM F.C will be heading home with the Singapore League Cup today at 12.15pm. Local fans who want to congratulate the team are welcome at the airport.
With one silverware, Brunei DPMM FC are still on course to win a treble, with the FA Cup and League title still in sight.
Resuming the Singapore league games, Brunei DPMM FC will next play Geylang United at home on the night of June 24.
Source of article Borneo Bulletin Weekend Edition.
