DPMM FC's Roy O'Donovan during the team's training session at the Jerudong Mini Stadium on Saturday. The Irish striker scored an injury time goal to give DPMM FC a 4-3 advantage over Albirex Niigata (S) FC in their Singapore Cup quarter-final first leg clash last night. BT/Yee Chun Leong
Marquee signing Roy O'Donovan gave DPMM FC the advantage after finding the back of the net late in injury time for a 4-3 victory over Albirex Niigata (S) FC in the first leg of their Singapore Cup quarter-final last night.
DPMM FC squandered a three-goal cushion in the first half before the Irishman fired from a tight angle from the right to beat Kenjiro Ogino in between the Albirex sticks for the triumph at the Jurong East Stadium in Singapore.
Brunei's only professional club had the best of starts against the Japanese outfits after midfielder Roberto Alviz netted in the fifth minute. The lead was doubled just two minutes later courtesy of O'Donovan before Brazilian Rodrigo Tosi made it 3-0 for the visitors in the 17th minute.
Albirex almost pulled one back in the 24th minute but DPMM FC keeper Wardun Yussof saved Kento Nagasaki's effort just before the goal line. The hosts found the net in the 34th minute with Kazuya Okazaki.
Kazuki Sakamoto blasted his shot wide five minutes after the restart but Wardun was there to block his attempt. Albirex pulled back to 3-2 after Keisuke Ota netted in the 56th minute before Sakamoto scored the equaliser seven minutes later.
Sakamoto came close again in the 73rd minute after dribbling past two defenders but missed the target. The Japanese had another chance in the 84th minute but couldn't convert before the late drama.
The second leg will be contested on Friday at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore. The competition continues tomorrow with Home United FC going up against Loyola Mercalco Sparks of the Philippines at the Bishan Stadium in Singapore.
The winner of the DPMM FC and Albirex tie will face either Home or Loyola.
