DPMM FC head coach Steve Kean highlighted the return to form of influential midfielder Azwan Ali after rescuing a point for his side with the equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Geylang International FC at the Bedok Stadium in Singapore on Thursday.

The reigning holders were trailing to a Roberto Camarasa's 5th minute header but unleashed a new lease of life with the introduction of reliable attackers Shahrazen Said and Azwan Ali.

The duo combined in the 71st minute to get the visitors out of jail and ensured share of the spoils.

DPMM FC benefited from a costly mistake by Geylang's midfielder Anders Eric Aplin after taking a poor touch which allowed an alert Shahrazen Said to seize in with the kill.

However, there was still a considerable amount of effort to manufacture the assist and he left Yuki Ichikawa for dead before laying the ball back for Azwan Ali who expertly drilled a cool finish beyond the clutches of Geylang's goalkeeper Syazwan Buhari.

Kean hailed the impact of his substitutes after assessing his team's first-half displays.

"The substitutes made a big difference; Azwan Ali came back into form and Shahrazen is always a handful with his power," the head coach said during a post-match press conference.

Azwan Ali has only made one start in the last seven appearances featuring as a substitute in three of those owing to a loss of form.

Kean expressed his thoughts about how his charges fared during the opening first half.

"We were poor in the first half. Normally we are closer to the opposition but we made it quite easy for Geylang to play".

Nevertheless, the head coach was pleased with the comeback and thought it was unfortunate that they did not snatch all three points.

"It was a good comeback and we were quite disappointed not to nick the three points in the end", he concluded.

Meanwhile, Kean's opposite number Geylang International FC head coach Hasrin Jailani felt his side could have defended better in the build-up to Azwan Ali's goal.

"We could have defended better and cleared the ball away, instead of letting it bobble around," he said.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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