Rijal overcomes hoodoo to take last minute winner over Menang FC

True to their form, the boys in blue & yellow managed another win in the league again this time against our local derby rivals Menang FC.

As always with these Menang - DRM games, it takes awhile to sort out the starting line-up with many players having dual allegiances being regulars for both teams, and so it often boils down to which team really needs you more. This ofcourse normally takes oh half an hour or so to sort out, but fitted in fine yesterday as the referee was also late to arrive.

After much squabbling and all sorts of threats flying around, we finally arrived to a consensus and amazingly eleven players for each side with a few subs to spare! And it’s only in a game like this that you’ll find the subs carrying both jersey’s just in case!

The first half exchanges were very cordial it almost seemed as if we weren’t really playing to score more like playing for a run out, and it really meant that we could afford to play with just three at the back as we flooded the middle of the park with those people who just love running all over the pitch.

And ofcourse after spending a week in samba school on the same sands that legends like Adriana Lima and Gisele have graced, Amirio was also keen to show the rest of the boys the new flicks and skills he’d pick up. Renato on the other hand was happy to just sit back and make sure that none of the Menang players would do a Brazilian over him.

Unfortunately it was not a ‘carioca’ in blue who’d make the first impact on the game, instead it was a ‘viadiu’ (portugese for pundan) in yellow who got around the DRM defense and over the keeper. A lapse in concentration by the back line on the left allowed Danan to get by and he made it easy for a yellow ‘viadiu’ to slot past our loan keeper.

And that was how it was to stay until close to the end of the first half when an Amir D corner was met by Azelin and his first touch was to chest it down, whilst his second was to volley it into the back of the net for the equalizer. This came after a number of chances spurned by the same player, his deceptive pace almost always taking him past the defenders but his final shot was never really up to the mark.

Alex who whilst on the Menang back-line at the end of the 1st half managed two goal line clearances to deny both Ari and Rijal, switched sides at half time and played at the back for DRM instead, helping us ward off the Menang’s attempt to regain the lead.

Rahimin who came on in the 2nd half also helped to stabilize the midfield after Hailmey came off, in his usual no nonsense style of play sitting infront of the two centre-backs terrorizing the centre midfield area.

It was man of the match rijal who stole the limelight however in the 2nd half, as DRM’s tired legs meant that both Amir S and Amir D dropped further back spraying the long balls into the penalty area for Rijal to run on to. And he certainly had his fair share of chances, missing from a variety of opportunities … left foot, right foot, headers and even from inside the box.

So it was actually a good move throwing on experienced striker Aizul, who coached and guided way-ward Rijal into actually making the right moves in attack. And it all fell into place when close to the final whistle and Amir D through ball from the centre of the park left Rijal with a one-to-one, Aizul following closely behind. He calmly rounded the keeper and although he hesitated for a split second or two, eventually he managed to find his bearings and DRM were at last in lead with just minutes to go.

The Menang come-back spirit was not to be dampened however, as powerhouse forward Saiful Bulan attempted two last ditch strikes, one coming off Renny’s shoulder, whilst the other was palmed away in the corner by the DRM loan keeper.

DRM v Menang FC Match Report

Match Line-Up

Formation: 3-5-2

First 11: Liew (GK), Ivan, Renny, Hailmey's Cuz, Hailmey, Amir D, Amir S, Rijal, Ari, Azelin, Julberg

Subs Used: Alex, Rahimin, Aizul

Did Not Play: Hammry

Played for Menang: Saiful Bulan, Yusriman, Danan

Match Statistics

HT Score: 1 - 1
FT Score: 2 - 1

Goals: Azelin, Rijal
Assists: Amir D (2)

MOTM: Rijal
Cuci Baju: Alex