DRB-Hicom FC bags title on penalties in inaugural top tier season

DRB-Hicom Group managing director Datuk Seri Syed Faisal (back row in shirt) celebrating the win with the squad.

DRB-Hicom FC, more popularly known as D’Greatbees, won the 2019 Kuala Lumpur FA (KLFA) Super League crown in a pulsating final against Imigresen FC at Stadium Kuala Lumpur in Cheras.

The match was tied 2-2 after 90 minutes and in the ensuing penalty kicks decider, D’Greatbees prevailed 4-3.

It was an exciting encounter as although DRB-Hicom threatened early on, it was Imigresen FC that found the net first.

In the 35th minute, a cross into the DRB-Hicom penalty box was poorly cleared by their defence, and a thundering volley saw Imigresen FC open their account. The scoreline remained until half-time.

DRB-Hicom started the second half pressing for the equaliser and were duly rewarded in the 53rd minute when an Imigresen FC player was deemed to have handled the ball in the penalty box.

DRB-Hicom scored from the ensuing penalty and after that were on the ascendancy.

In the 60th minute, DRB-Hicom scored to lead 2-1 after a cross from the left flank was met with a deft header that fooled Imigresen FC’s goalkeeper.

To their credit, Imigresen piled on the pressure with wave after wave of attacks, but were let down by some poor finishing and resolute defending by their opponents.

However, in the 85th minute, the pressure finally told when an attack from the left was again poorly cleared by DRB-Hicom’s tiring defence as a bicycle kick from the edge of the box beat the keeper to level the scores.

It was down to the lottery of the penalty kicks to decide the winner.

While Imigresen FC scored with their first kick, DRB-Hicom’s was easily saved.

A DRB-Hicom FC player attempts a shot at the goal while an Imigresen FC defender tries to block it in the final.

But in the end, DRB-Hicom scored from the rest of their kicks, while their opponents missed two, handing them the cup and a RM15,000 purse.

The match was the final game of KLFA’s 2019 season, which was prolonged due to the wet spell in the city in late 2019.

Imigresen FC had finished the league on top to qualify for the playoff semifinals, in which they beat Tentera Darat FA to qualify for the final.

DRB-Hicom, meanwhile, booked a place in the final after their opponents, CCCP FC, conceded a walkover.

This was DRB-Hicom’s second consecutive title after winning the 2018 KLFA Division One crown, which saw them promoted to the Super League.

They also won the 2009 FAM Cup when they played as Pos Malaysia FC.