#RoyHitsHattrick

Report by Syarif Rasani of The Brunei Times: DPMM FC tasted sweet revenge as they thrashed Global FC 7-0 to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Singapore Cup at Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore last Friday.

Their previous clash in last year’s edition of the tournament saw Global FC of the Philippines knocked them out 5-4 on aggregate in the quarter-finals.

DPMM FC’s goal scoring machines – Roy O’Donovan and Rodrigo Tosi – were again on target as they shared a total of five goals between them in a game that proved the total dominance of the Bruneian club.

O’Donovan capped his stellar performance with fine a hat-trick scoring in the 59th, 78th and 89th minutes to make him the leading scorer in the Singapore Cup.

Tosi, who is currently the top scorer in the Singapore League with 12 goals, hit the back of the net in the 57th and 70th minutes.

The remaining goals were knocked in by Azwan Salleh in the 80th minute and Shahrazen Said in the 90th, who was a late substitute in the 82nd minute for Tosi.

DPMM FC head coach Steve Kean felt that his boys played a fantastic game in the second-half.
“I felt that in the first half probably our players were all too wide,” Kean told the media.

“We were making it very easy for the Global FC’s full backs, so what we did after half-time was play very narrow on the pitch because I felt that Global FC’s two holding midfield players were getting on the ball too much.

“We really turned the middle of the pitch to our advantage so that Joe Gamble, Hendra Azam and Rosmin Kamis could control the game from middle, making it difficult for the two central players of Global FC.

“I also pushed another player up front because I wanted Tosi to drop in midfield a little bit when we didn’t have the ball. I told to him just stay up as a striker and let’s just try to win the ball in the middle and then play off the front end quicker and squeeze the game much higher.

“Historically, we don’t have a good record in this competition but I don’t believe that history comes in always because every year you have a new team.

“I think the main thing for us is that we just have to keep trying hard to keep clean sheets both in the S-League and now in this competition.

“I said at the beginning of the season I think that we have a competitive squad that can compete in the three competitions, so why not win this competition because it’s a fantastic one to win,” added Kean.

DPMM FC will be joining Tanjong Pagar United, Balestier Khalsa, Geylang International, Albirex Niigata (S), Tampines Rovers and Home United in the quarter-finals.

The DPMM FC line up against Global FC at Jalan Besar Stadium. Image courtesy of Great Eastern Yeo’s S League Facebook Page.

Goal celebration after Tosi scored. Image courtesy of Great Eastern Yeo’s S League Facebook Page.

Najib in action for DPMM Fc. Image courtesy of Great Eastern Yeo’s S League Facebook Page.

Great clearance by Subhi as he clears the ball for a corner. Image courtesy of Great Eastern Yeo’s S League Facebook Page.

Roy scored a hat-trick while Tosi scored twice.

After the match

DPMM FC celebrated at the dressing room