Brunei stint for globe-trotting Moorad

There are countless stories of Kiwis clocking up air points via football and Auckland Football goalkeeping coach Reaz Moorad is another who has travelled the globe thanks to his love of the game.



Coach Reaz Moorad, right, is relishing his time in Brunei.
Having already visited the likes of Germany for an international goalkeeping conference and the United Arab Emirates with Hekari United when the Papua New Guinea side competed in the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup, Moorad is certainly no stranger to passport stamps.

But he may have picked up one that few others have this month courtesy of a two-week stint in Brunei working as a consultant with a club owned by the Crown Prince of the sovereign state - DP MM FC.

Moorad, who came to New Zealand from South Africa, says the exciting opportunity came about via contacts back home.

“A player agent friend in South Africa was sending players to the club for trials so he sent my CV to their representatives and contact was made from there,” Moorad explains.

“The club are the Wellington Phoenix of that country – the only professional team. The Crown Prince of Brunei started the club and has played for the team as goalkeeper and now serves as the chairman and owner.”

DP MM FC are set to re-join the Singapore S-League competition in February and during his time in Brunei, Moorad, who holds a FIFA Goalkeeper Coach Instructor License, will be focussed on working with the club’s custodians both on and off the field.

“The programme I’ve put together has been a lot of work and the players will get a mix of practical and theory sessions.“

Moorad, who served as goalkeeping coach with the Lotto NRFL AllStars squad during the recent Cuesports Foundation Series, says he is relishing the chance to join the DP MM set-up and has aspirations beyond his two-week adventure.

“It’s magic, the best thing in the world and the scope is endless," he says.

"I’m hoping the exposure leads to a permanent role somewhere. You never know what will happen.”

Story courtesy of Auckland Football Federation.


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