QAF FC face LLRC FT in the battle of champions

QAF FC will clash head on with Liang Lumut Recreation Club Football Team (LLRC FT) in a DST Group Brunei FA Cup quarterfinal match which can be dubbed the battle of champions.

Set for promotion to the DST Group Brunei Premier League I (BPL I) next season, LLRC FT will get an early taste of the best that the top tier league of Brunei football has to offer.

Undefeated during the DST Group BPL II season, LLRC FT - who beat Muara Vella FC 2-1 last night to advance - have the unenviable task of facing BPL I champions QAF FC on Sunday (April 4).

The DST Group BPL II champions found out their fate yesterday when the FA Cup quarterfinals draw was held at the Football Federation of Brunei Darussalam (FFBD) headquarters in Kiulap.

QAF FC showed how serious they were in their quest for the FA Cup by crushing second round opponents Wijaya FC 5-0 on Friday (March 26). BPL I's top scorer last season with 20 goals, Cameroonian Viban Francis Bayong continued his fine form by netting two goals in the match.

Chaired by FFBD secretariat Johari Hj Bungsu, Abdul Rahim Md Taib and Hj Md Hidayat Awg Hj Montil from the RTB Sport TV Unit were handed the honour of conducting the draws for actively supporting the BPL from the start. The first team drawn in the quarterfinals was Jerudong FC, who will meet either Brunei Shell FT or the Royal Brunei Armed Forces' Sports Council (MS ABDB) on Saturday, (April 3).

Originally slated for Friday, (April 2) the tie was postponed after taking into consideration that the players during the MS ABDB- Brunei Shell FT match tomorrow (Wednesday) would not have enough time to rest.

Therefore, the Friday slot will feature AM Gunners FC up against either Indera FC or Majra FC, who will be contesting for the spot tonight at the Berakas Sports Complex.

After Edi Ruslan Abd Samad and Md Nazri Hj Hassan fired the Gunners to a two-goal lead, second round opponents AH United equalised in the second half within the space of 10 minutes due to complacency on Sunday (March 28).

However, the Gunners recovered their form in time to end the match 5-2 in their favour. The final quarterfinal slot is reserved for Kilanas FC against NBT FC or Prisons Department on Saturday (April 3) at the Berakas Sports Complex.

Dangerously set for automatic relegation into the BPL II next season with the deciding match yet to be played, NBT FC will take on the undefeated second placed BPL II side Prisons Department at the Balapan Track and Field at 8.15pm tonight.

The Brunei Times