Late penalty grants Barx a winning start

Hirzi Darajit (third from left) celebrating with Syed Firmustakim after giving Bishan Barx a welcome start.
Image credit: Ian Goh

In another high-scoring NFL Division 2 encounter at the Jalan Besar Stadium, Bishan Barx pipped hosts Bukit Timah Juniors 3-2 on May 5th.

It was Bishan who drew first blood with a goal from Hirzi Darajit on 13 minutes, giving them a lead which they would hold for the entire half.

When Bishan's veterans Yazid Harun and Herman Misdi came off at the break, the Juniors grabbed their chance to claw back some ground. Shahril Hidayat snatched the equaliser after just three minutes.

Substitute striker Ahmad Khidhir restored Bishan's lead in the 52nd minute, and they would dominate until Azharuddin Shahruddin struck with just under ten minutes left.

Juniors were set to see out a draw, bringing on Karl Ryan Michael at the death, but Nurazlan Shahruddin conceded the penalty in injury time which substitute Asshiddiq Wahid would convert to gain Bishan Barx three precious points.

Bishan Barx would return a week later to Jalan Besar to face Kembangan United FC.

Herman Misdi still wreaking havoc against the Juniors despite his age.
Image credit: Ian Goh

Photos and reporting: Ian Goh

Bishan Barx: Firdaus Zulkifly; Dinie Fitri (C), Azli Mutalib, Asyraf Amran (Nasrullah Sidek 75'); Syed Firmustakim (Azrin Hamdan 56', yellow 69'), Yazid Harun (Asshiddiq Wahid 46', goal (pen) 90'), Hirzi Darajit (goal 13'), Asri Othman, Faizal Mohamed (Fazli Sulaiman 71'), Aliff Sani; Herman Misdi (Ahmad Khidhir 46', goal 52')

Bukit Timah Juniors: Yeo Ee; Izzuddin Sabtu, Nafis Juraimi, Nurazlan Shahruddin (yellow, 90'); Haiqal Zuraimi (C), Daniel Matin, Anirhan Jumadi, Fahran Shahrizal; Nashrul Amin (Karl Ryan Michael 90'), Danial Shafiq (Azharuddin Shahruddin 38', goal 81'), Shahril Hidayat (goal 48')