S.League: Paulo Sergio leads way as DPMM thwart Hougang comeback

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:59 am
Paulo Sergio had a goal and two assists as DPMM weathered a Hougang comeback. (Photo credit: S.League)

Defending champions Brunei DPMM ended a three-match winless streak by overcoming Hougang United in a 3-2 thriller at Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium on Saturday night.

Two goals within the first half-hour looked to have put the Wasps into cruise control before Hougang scored twice in quick succession early in the second half to draw level.

However, DPMM ran out winners in front of their home fans, courtesy of substitute Shahrazen Said's 82th minute strike.

Steve Kean's side got off to the perfect start by scoring inside nine minutes, with Portuguese forward Paulo Sergio heading home Azwan Ali's inch-perfect cross. Sergio then turned provider in the 25th minute by slipping Azwan Ali through on goal. The latter kept his composure to finish past Hougang goalkeeper Khairulhin Khalid and double his side's lead.

Even so, Hougang produced a spirited comeback after the break, with Croatian forward Stipe Plazibat curling home a brilliant low free-kick from 25 yards out to reduce the deficit on 55 minutes.

The Cheetahs then silenced the Brunei crowd four minutes later. Captain Jozef Kaplan squeezed by two defenders before firing past DPMM custodian Wardun Yussof for the equalising goal.

Just when it looked like DPMM may go a third successive home game without a win, up stepped substitute Shahrazen to turn one point into three for the home side. The 30-year-old benefited from Sergio's through ball before finishing with aplomb past a helpless Khairulhin from close range to send the crowd wild.

Despite four minutes of injury time, the reigning champions held on to lift themselves into the top three. They are eight points behind leaders Albirex Niigata (S), having played one game more.

Meanwhile, Hougang dropped all the way to sixth, seven points ahead of third-from-bottom Warriors FC.

They will certainly hope to bounce back when they host Garena Young Lions at the Hougang Stadium next Thursday, while DPMM travel to Bishan Stadium to take on in-form Home United on the same day.

Brunei DPMM: Wardun Yussof (GK), Helmi Zambin, Yura Indera Putera, Brian McLean, Najib Tarif, Maududi Hilmi, Rosmin Kamis (C), Azwan Saleh, Azwan Ali, Paulo Sergio, Rafael Ramazotti

Hougang United: Khairulhin Khalid (GK), Nazrul Nazari, Yusiskandar Yusop, M. Anumanthan, Faiz Salleh, Nur Na'iim Ishak, Raihan Rahman, Fairoz Hasan, Nurhilmi Jasni, Stipe Plazibat, Jozef Kaplan (C)