DPMM FC opened their 2026/27 Unifi Liga Super Malaysia campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Penang FC at Stadium Bandaraya, Pulau Pinang, in a dramatic contest that produced two red cards, a disallowed goal and a decisive counter-attack.
Both teams entered the match hoping to begin the new Super League season with victory, with Penang particularly eager to make home advantage count.
Brazilian striker Dalberto Luan led DPMM’s attack, while Penang relied on Jarvey Gayoso and former Malaysia international Shahrel Fikri Md Fauzi.
DPMM created the first major opportunity in the 11th minute when Dalberto struck the crossbar.
The game’s first major controversy arrived soon after. Fazly Mazlan was initially shown a yellow card for a foul on a DPMM player.
However, VAR official Faizudin Ismail recommended an on-field review to referee Afdzal Hilmi Zulkiflee.
After checking the incident, the referee determined that Fazly had denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
The yellow card was upgraded to a straight red, making Fazly the first player sent off in the 2026/27 Malaysia Super League season.
Penang thought they had taken the lead just before half-time when Faith Obilor found the back of the net.
The celebrations were short-lived. The referee ruled that a Penang player had committed a foul on DPMM goalkeeper Haimie Abdullah Nyaring during the build-up.
The goal was therefore disallowed, leaving the two teams level at 0-0 at half-time.
Penang coach Wan Rohaimi Wan Ismail was forced to adjust his approach after his team went down to 10 men.
The hosts focused more on defending while looking for opportunities on the counter-attack, with former Kuala Lumpur City striker Suhaimi Abu introduced to provide additional attacking threat.
Despite playing against 10 men, DPMM struggled to fully exploit their numerical advantage.
But in the 63rd minute, the visitors finally found the breakthrough.
DPMM launched a swift counter-attack, with Miguel Oliveira completing the move by firing past Penang goalkeeper Ramdhan Hamid.
Ten minutes after Oliveira’s goal, the match took another dramatic turn. DPMM midfielder Tommy Mawat Bada was shown a second yellow card after being judged to have elbowed a Penang player.
The red card reduced both teams to 10 men, setting up a tense final 20 minutes.
Penang pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but DPMM defended resolutely and protected their narrow advantage.
The final whistle confirmed a 1-0 victory for DPMM FC. The result puts DPMM FC on three points, currently sitting fourth in the early Super League standings behind Terengganu FC on goal difference.
For Penang, the opening-day defeat will be frustrating after showing periods of promise despite the numerical disadvantage.
The match also highlighted the importance of VAR and discipline, with two red cards and a disallowed goal playing major roles in the outcome.
DPMM will now prepare to host Kuala Lumpur City FC on 29 August, while Penang will travel to face Sabah FC on 28 August.
Credit Photo : MFL
