File photo shows DPMM FC's Rodrigo Tosi (L) in action. Warriors lost 3-2 to Hougang United, leaving DPMM FC one point clear at the summit of the S-League. BT file
10-man Warriors FC missed their chance to go top of the Singapore League (S-League) after falling to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Hougang United FC last night.
Miroslav Pejic had given the Warriors a fantastic start after finding the back of the net as early as the eighth minute at the Hougang Stadium in Singapore. The lead didn't stand long with Igor Cerina equalising just 10 minutes later for the home team.
Fazli Jaffar gave Hougang their first lead in the 54th minute but it was all-square at 2-2 after Nicholas Velez got his name on the scoresheet for the visitors seven minutes later. Cerina bagged his brace for Hougang in the 70th minute which proved to be the decider after Warriors were handed a tougher task at mounting a comeback with Pejic sent off in the 86th minute.
DPMM FC remain at the top of the 12-team table with 31 points while Warriors follow in second on 30 points having played one game more. Brunei's only professional team can ex tend their advantage back to four points should they be able to overcome three-time defending champions Tampines Rovers at the Clementi Stadium in Singapore tomorrow.
The victory for Hougang sees them up to fifth place tied on points with the Stags on 25 points. Albirex Niigata (S) FC dropped to sixth a point behind after a 1-1 draw against Balestier Khalsa FC last night at the Toa Payoh Stadium in Singapore.
The Japanese outfits look set to take all three points after Soichiro Tanaka's goal in the 20th minute but Ruhaizad Ismail netted in the 89th minute to steal a point for Balestier, who are now seventh in the league on 19 points.
