Captain Rosmin's last-minute goal takes leaders DPMM six points clear
Skipper's last-gasp winner sends DPMM six points clear at the top
COURTS YOUNG LIONS 1
(Shameer Aziq 74)
BRUNEI DPMM 2
(Boris Raspudic 40, Rosmin Kamis 90+3)
With one swing of his left leg, Brunei DPMM skipper Rosmin Kamis put clear daylight between his side and their rivals for this season's Great Eastern-Yeo's S.League title.
As time ticked away in their match against second-from-bottom team Courts Young Lions at the Jalan Besar Stadium last night, it looked like league leaders DPMM were going to drop two points.
But, deep into injury time, Captain Marvel Rosmin slammed home the winner to hand his side all three on offer.
With just seven games left, Steve Kean's men are now six points clear of their closest rivals, last year's champions Warriors FC.
"It's a big relief," said former Blackburn Rovers manager Kean.
"If we didn't get the three points, it would have dented our momentum, and we want to keep pressure on the teams around us.
"Psychologically, it would have been a big blow as well. But (the win) has really put us in a strong position."
DPMM started brightly last night, and Portuguese forward Paulo Sergio, who played alongside Cristiano in the youth and reserve sides of Sporting Lisbon, struck the post after just three minutes with a crisp low shot.
And although the Wasps dominated possession, they were unable to create another clear-cut opportunity until big defender Boris Raspudic turned the ball in from close range in the 40th minute, following a cross from the S.League's joint top-scorer, Rafael Ramazotti.
EQUALISER
After a poor first 45 minutes, the Young Lions lifted themselves in the second half and got their just reward in the 74th minute.
After referee Ahmad A'Qashah had rightly allowed play to continue despite a foul on Young Lions midfielder Nur Naiim Ishak, the ball eventually reached right winger Shameer Aziq, whose cross swerved into the top corner of the DPMM goal from a tight angle.
The goal stung the Bruneian side, and they poured forward in search of the winner, only to find goalkeeper Syazwan Buhari in inspired form.
The national Under-23 custodian made great stops from Ramazotti, Shahrazen Said and Raspudic.
But, just when it looked like DPMM were going to have to settle for a draw, Rosmin drove into the heart of the Young Lions' backline from midfield and started a move that, via Ramazotti and then Shahrazen, saw the ball played back to him with the goal gaping.
He made no mistake from barely three metres.
Young Lions coach Juergen Raab, who was missing eight first-team regulars through suspension or injuries, said: "It's very tough to swallow this result. We played with too much respect in the first half, but showed fantastic spirit in the second."
OTHER RESULT
- Balestier Khalsa 0 Harimau Muda 0
- COURTS YOUNG LIONS: Syazwan Buhari, Fadli Kamis, Faris Azienuddin, Amirul Adli, Safirul Sulaiman, Ammirul Emmran (Nur Naiim Ishak 55), Afiq Mat Noor, Shameer Aziq (Shamil Sharif 92), Shahfiq Ghani, Adam Swandi, Danial Razali (Farhan Rahmat 73).
- BRUNEI DPMM: Wardun Yussof, Helmi Zambin, Boris Raspudic, Brian McLean, Sairol Sahari, Rosmin Kamis, Maududi Helmi, Joe Gamble, Azwan Ali (Shahrazen Said 66), Paulo Sergio, Rafael Ramazotti.
- TNP MAN OF THE MATCH: Rosmin Kamis (Brunei DPMM)
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