Football fans come meet your heroes

DUE to popular demand, a 'meet the fans' session for Saturday's charity match between the 1999 Malaysia Cup winning national team and a star-studded Veteran Football Association (VFA) side will be held a day before the game.

The session will take place on Friday at 4pm at the NBT (B) Sdn Bhd showroom along Jln Gadong.

Singapore's star Fandi Ahmad and Malaysian hero Hassan Sani are set to headline the VFA side, and Singaporeans Malek Awab and Abd Kadir Yahya will also feature for the team.

Hassan who helped steer Malaysia to a 2-1 win over South Korea to qualify for the 1980 Olympics will also have compatriot Matlan Marjan, who scored both the goals during Malaysia's 4-2 loss to England in a 1991 friendly, playing with him.

The two teams will meet at 8.15pm on Saturday at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in a charity match to benefit those affected by Pakistan's recent floods.

All proceeds will go towards the Humanitarian Fund for Pakistan Flood Victims

Over the past few days, organisers the VFA have received numerous calls and suggestions that a 'meet the fans' session be held in order to give the fans a chance to get up close and personal with their favourite football legends.

In a Press release issued by the VFA yesterday, the association made it clear that the session would be a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"For those that have kept pictures, posters and jerseys of their favourite players but have never got them autographed; now is the chance," it said. "This goes not only to the VFA invitational players but also the Brunei stars that won the 1999 Malaysia Cup."

However, there is no confirmation of the exact players who will be at the session.

VFA also stated that it wished to thank NBT (B) Sdn Bhd for letting them the use of the venue.

For the 1999 Malaysia Cup champions, the match will be the first time they have laced up as a team since their 2-1 win over Sarawak at the Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.

Liew Chuan Fue once again captains the 1999 Malaysia Cup team that will include household names such as Mohd Brian Iman Abdullah Bothwell and Rosli Liman, the latter who scored both goals during the win.

Ibrahim Bakar, Azmanuddin Hj Gillen, Hj Mohd Rosaidi Hj Kamis, Mohd Ali Momin, Hj Mohd Rosanan Abdullah Samak, Nordin Tujoh, Pg Sallehuddin Pg Hj Damit, Irwan Mohamad, Fadlin Galawat, Abang Norsilmy Abang Hj Taha have also confirmed their participation in Saturday's game.

The VFA will also have noted ex-national players such as Hj Ahmad Hj Mohin, Suni Mat Jerah, Alijanda Sitom and Puncha Gunong in their line-up.

Tickets are being sold for $5 and $10 at Hua Ho Departmental Store Tg Bunut and Kg Petani, Tutong, Mufakat Sport (Gadong), U-Soff Cafe Serusop and the Stadium Restaurant. For more details contact 8820062/8720105.The Brunei Times

Brunei Times