DRM v BSRC Rekon Match Summary

This was the one event in our DRM calendar that everyone looks forward to, our local derby against friendly rivals BSRC Rekon who over the years have always had the upper hand against us. What these guys lack in pace, they more than make up for in teamwork, skill and guts. The last game played sometime in July ended with DRM losing an early lead to two 2nd half goals even though we had the lions share of possession, and we were determined this time to make amends!

The DRM starting line up looked impressive enough, with our newest import Saleh Al-Omairy of Oman taking up a right midfield spot on his DRM debut. Julberg started upfront with Amir S for his first match in a long while, and perhaps showed some match rustiness infront of goal when the Julberg of mid-year would've probably easily jumped on those chances. Our strategy last night was to flood the midfield with players and we played 5 across the middle of the park, with three at the back and that strategy seemed to have paid off as we managed to score all of our 3 goals early. The midfield trio of G Khai, Danan, Asri supported by Saleh and Amir D looked very confident on the ball as quick one two passes were readily exchanged in the middle.

The first goal came after some good running by the midfield which resulted in G Khai being able to find Amir S with a finely threaded through ball which he wasn't going to waste. After the first goal, Renny came off the field to be replaced by Haidi as he was still feeling the effects of a very late dinner! What followed next was a spell of constant pressure on the Rekon backline as DRM pushed for a second goal. Their goalie looked on top of his game as he made a series of saves from an Amir D stinger from the left, and an Amir S follow-up from inside the penalty box. Haidi then initiated a move from our own half on the left flank, which after another series of exchanges in midfield with G Khai pulling the strings, released Amir D on the left wing for an inviting cross into the box which Amir S took on the volley only to sail just over the bar. Fadil then came on to replace Julberg, and our game immediately looked more fluid as Fadil's running provided us with far more options than before.

The 2nd DRM goal came after Saleh who showed alot of tenacity in the game with his running, put Asri into space which allowed him to put through a long ball over the Rekon defense which Fadil got to the end of in the penalty box. Fadil rounded one defender, tried to initiate a one-two with Amir D who only had one thing in mind, rounding the keeper and then flicking the ball with his back heel into the back of the net! At about the same time, Saiful Bulan came on for Haidi who quickly tired out, and he proved a rock at the back with his physique. Rekon were able to pull one back, when Fakhrul conceded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, which Rekon's talisman in midfield, Apok was able to convert with a left foot curler into the top corner.

Our 3rd goal was scored quite late in the first half, after yet another period of attacking football from the boys in yellow and green, Amir S' through ball eventually finding the feet of super-sub Fadil who converted with a low shot from the left of goal.

Because of an excellent turn-out, we were able to field a fresh team in the 2nd half with 'Retro' Fadle taking up the left wing spot, 'Mad Cat' Meo in left back, debutant Khairul in midfield Mike, whilst student trainee Sulhi played upfront with Rahim. We decided to play abit more defensively in the 2nd half to protect our 2 goal cushion and reverted back to the more traditional 4-4-2 formation, though we picked up where we had left off looking comfortable in possession. Meo and Fadle played confidently on the left flank providing us with the width we didn't have in the first half, and Khairul showed that he wasn't fazed by playing with unfamiliar team-mates combining well with Mike in midfield.

Yusriman made the save of the match in the 2nd half when one of the Rekon strikers, looking dangerous after turning Renny the wrong way, lobbed over the onrushing keeper, but he still managed to run back to deflect the dipping ball away at the very last moment to save the day. This save and several of his first half heroics, when all looked bleak after Rekon on several instances managed to break through our offside trap, earned him the well deserved Man of The Match award.

Rekon scored a 2nd goal mid way through the 2nd half, and from then on pushed very hard for an equaliser, but we worked hard as a team to hold on from there on till the final whistle! Worth mentioning is the effort of our defense last night, Fakhrul's performance in centre-back surely deserves him a mention, G Khai who played emergency centre-back when Fakhrul came off calmed the defense down during a period of unrelenting Rekon pressure, Vince and Azhar had their fair share of tackles and interventions.