Warriors score five at Brunei DPMM to stay unbeaten in S.League

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:45 am

Warriors FC extended their unbeaten start to the 2017 S.League season with a thrilling 5-3 win over 2015 champions Brunei DPMM at the Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium on Saturday night.

It was the Warriors' first victory at the Sultanate since their triumphant 2014 season after losing their last three visits.

Razif Onn's side opened the floodgates on 25 minutes through Jordan Webb, with the Canadian winger collecting Joel Tshibamba's pass before slotting past the onrushing DPMM goalkeeper Alizanda Sitom.

DPMM were struggling to keep possession, but somehow managed to draw level on the stroke of half-time, with Brazilian forward Rafael Ramazotti nodding home Hendra Azam's cross into the area.

Warriors retook the lead on 55 minutes, with Webb firing low past Alizanda.

However, DPMM restored parity for a second time seven minutes later after former Ireland U21 forward Billy Mehmet beat Warriors custodian Hyrulnizam Juma'at after collecting Azwan Ali's through ball.

The Warriors then went 3-2 up in the 73rd minute when captain Kento Fukuda benefitted from some poor DPMM defending on a free kick to tap home from close range.

The nine-time champions doubled their advantage on 81 minutes, with Singapore captain Shahril Ishak playing an intelligent ball across goal for substitute Ridhuan Muhammad to tap home.

DPMM pulled one back three minutes later, with Ramazotti converting Hendra's left-wing cross for his second goal of the night.

However, the visitors would have the last laugh on 86 minutes. Dutch-Congolese forward Tshibamba feinted past his marker before shooting past the helpless Alizanda to seal the three points for his side.

The result meant that Warriors leapfrogged Home United to go second with four wins and one draw, while DPMM remained second-from-bottom with one win and four losses.

Brunei DPMM: Alizanda Sitom (GK), Helmi Zambin (Awangku Fakharazzi 66'), Rosmin Kamis (C), Zeljko Savic, Hendra Azam (Azim Izamuddin 87'), Nurikhwan Othman, Najib Tarif, Azwan Ali, Adi Said (Shahrazen Said 63'), Billy Mehmet, Rafael Ramazotti

Warriors FC: Hyrulnizam Juma'at (GK), Emmeric Ong (Ridhuan Muhammad 72'), Baihakki Khaizan, Kento Fukuda (C), Ho Wai Loon, Hafiz Osman, Firdaus Kasman, Hafiz Nor, Shahril Ishak, Jordan Webb, Joel Tshibamba (Syaqir Sulaiman 88')