BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
THE national Under-21 football team are calling out to all supporters to head over to the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas to back the team when they play Vietnam in their Group B matchup of the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) tonight.
Brunei are coming off a 3-2 victory over Cambodia on Saturday after captain Md Najib Hj Tarif struck with a freekick in injury time for the win.
The opener saw thousands in attendance and team manager, Hj Feisal Hj Eusoff, had correctly emphasised on the 12th man being a factor.
"We would like to have all Bruneian supporters and fans to come out in full force for the match. Who are we without your support?" said Hj Feisal yesterday.
"Come and fill up the stadium to the brim. Please continue to fully support the Brunei team," he added.
The team have also requested the supporters to dress in yellow.The Brunei Times
29 February 2012
28 February 2012
Brunei skipper: It's the best goal I've ever scored
Jason Thomas
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, February 27, 2012
Curl it like Najib
MD NAJIB Hj Tarif will go down in history as the man who handed Brunei a dramatic 3-2 win over Cambodia at Saturday's Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) curtain-raiser.
Whipping in a free-kick to the top right corner, the captain's injury time winner sealed three vital points for the Sultanate at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
The former AM Gunners midfielder also scored Brunei's only goal during their 2-1 loss to Timor Leste in November's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Jakarta, but it's understandable why Saturday night's curler ranked higher in his books especially with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, who earlier officiated at the biennial tournament's opening ceremony, watching from the royal dais.
"I think it was the best goal I've ever scored!" Md Najib told The Brunei Times yesterday.
"I do practise free-kicks and when I stepped up I felt I had a good chance of scoring ... Maybe 80 per cent.
"It was unforgettable because we were playing at home and it was the winner. I'm glad I was able to make all Bruneians happy," said the 24-year-old player.
Insisting that it was a team effort that won them the game, the left-winger also paid tribute to the side's never-say-die attitude.
The inaugural HBT in 2002 saw Brunei play out a 0-0 draw with Cambodia in their opener, but there was to be no repeat of that scoreline come this year's edition.
Trailing as early as the sixth minute after a Prak Mony Udom penalty, Brunei would even the scores just before the break through midfielder Mohd Hendra Azam Mohd Idris. Striker Adi Said gave the hosts the lead in the 75th minute only for Chan Vathanaka to equalise eight minutes later with a free-kick.
"Our mentality won us the game," insisted Md Najib, who has been a policeman for five years.
"We kept on fighting even though we were trailing," said the skipper, who is one of the five overage players starring for Brunei in the Under-21 tournament.
Adi and Mohd Hendra Azam are also on that list, as are defenders Md Azri Zahari and Reduan Hj Petara. All five saw action at the SEA Games.
Though his name might be on every Bruneian football fan's lips at the moment, and cyberspace is abuzz with talk about "that goal", Md Najib isn't about to let all the fame get to his head.
"Am I a hero?" he replied when asked whether he was comfortable with the tag.
"No ... Not yet.
"We have a big game against Vietnam (on Wednesday) and we'll try our best to put up a good fight," added the skipper.The Brunei Times
Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, February 27, 2012
Curl it like Najib
MD NAJIB Hj Tarif will go down in history as the man who handed Brunei a dramatic 3-2 win over Cambodia at Saturday's Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) curtain-raiser.
Whipping in a free-kick to the top right corner, the captain's injury time winner sealed three vital points for the Sultanate at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
The former AM Gunners midfielder also scored Brunei's only goal during their 2-1 loss to Timor Leste in November's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Jakarta, but it's understandable why Saturday night's curler ranked higher in his books especially with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, who earlier officiated at the biennial tournament's opening ceremony, watching from the royal dais.
"I think it was the best goal I've ever scored!" Md Najib told The Brunei Times yesterday.
"I do practise free-kicks and when I stepped up I felt I had a good chance of scoring ... Maybe 80 per cent.
"It was unforgettable because we were playing at home and it was the winner. I'm glad I was able to make all Bruneians happy," said the 24-year-old player.
Insisting that it was a team effort that won them the game, the left-winger also paid tribute to the side's never-say-die attitude.
The inaugural HBT in 2002 saw Brunei play out a 0-0 draw with Cambodia in their opener, but there was to be no repeat of that scoreline come this year's edition.
Trailing as early as the sixth minute after a Prak Mony Udom penalty, Brunei would even the scores just before the break through midfielder Mohd Hendra Azam Mohd Idris. Striker Adi Said gave the hosts the lead in the 75th minute only for Chan Vathanaka to equalise eight minutes later with a free-kick.
"Our mentality won us the game," insisted Md Najib, who has been a policeman for five years.
"We kept on fighting even though we were trailing," said the skipper, who is one of the five overage players starring for Brunei in the Under-21 tournament.
Adi and Mohd Hendra Azam are also on that list, as are defenders Md Azri Zahari and Reduan Hj Petara. All five saw action at the SEA Games.
Though his name might be on every Bruneian football fan's lips at the moment, and cyberspace is abuzz with talk about "that goal", Md Najib isn't about to let all the fame get to his head.
"Am I a hero?" he replied when asked whether he was comfortable with the tag.
"No ... Not yet.
"We have a big game against Vietnam (on Wednesday) and we'll try our best to put up a good fight," added the skipper.The Brunei Times
Brunei Times
26 February 2012
Brunei win it for HM
Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Sunday, February 26, 2012
-HM opens Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy
CAPTAIN fantastic couldn't have struck at a better time.
Brunei skipper Md Najib Hj Tarif scored a freekick in injury time to give Brunei a 3-2 victory over Cambodia in Group B of the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) last night at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
Substitute Ak Md Abd Halim Pg Hj Hassan was brought down just outside the box with minutes before the final whistle. Md Najib stepped up and curled the ball to the top right corner for the win.
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, who earlier officiated at the opening ceremony of the tournament,was also present to witness the match.
Also in attendance was His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office; Their Royal Highnesses Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) Honorary President, Prince 'Abdul Malik and Prince 'Abdul Wakeel.
Cambodia had the best of starts after Prak Mony Udom was brought down in the box by Abd Mu'iz Sisa in the sixth minute.
The former took the ensuing spotkick and made no mistake about it to give Cambodia a 1-0 lead.
The home team looked nervous after the early goal and Brunei fans were getting restless as the players were giving the ball away cheaply.
Striker Adi Said got behind the Cambodian backline in the 23rd minute and was brought down in the box, but the referee waved it off as the Brunei bench had their hands up in disbelief.
Boosted by the royal family and fans' support Brunei began to settle, but midfielder Chhin Chhoeun was a constant menace for the Brunei defence with his pace.
Cambodia were relying on their counter-attack and almost doubled their lead when Srey Udom was given space to work on the right but his cross saw Teab Vathanak's attempt inches wide off the Brunei post.
Brunei equallised just before the break after the Cambodian defence failed to clear the ball in the box allowing Md Hendra Azam Md Idris to drill in a low shot that slipped under the arms of Cambodia goalkeeper Sar Sophea.
The hosts came out storming in the second half. They were playing at a faster pace and were continuously on the attack, but they were also too wasteful.
Md Azwan Ali Rahman should have given the Sultanate the lead in the 54th minute, but his shot went just above the crossbar.
They finally found a breakthrough in the 75th minute for the lead. Brunei went on a counter-attack and substitute Md Shafie Hj Md Effendy slotted a perfect throughball for Adi to rifle home and put Brunei up at 2-1.
Md Azwan should have put the match to bed with his attempt in the 80th minute, but his shot was cleared off the line.
Cambodia levelled in the 83rd minute with a freekick by Chan Vathanaka which floated over the Brunei wall and over the outstretched arm of Mk Fakhrul Zulhazmi Yussof.
Both teams looked like they were going to share the spoils before Md Najib turned hero.
"It was a difficult game but the players showed good team organisation and good mentality," said Kwon Oh-son, the Brunei national coach, after the match.
"The defence was good, but our strikers lacked the finishing tonight (Saturday night). We have a short break before our next game (against Vietnam on Wednesday) and we shall prepare ourselves," he added.
THE national football team were 3-2 winners over Cambodia in their Group B game of the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy last night at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
And the team felt that they couldn't have done it without the 12th man with the venue packed with thousands of supporters for their opener.
"We would like to thank the crowd for the huge support that they gave us. We hope that they will continuously come to the stadium and pack it to the brim," said Hj Feisal Hj Eusoff, the manager of the Brunei team, after the win.
"Who are we without the supporters? They are definitely one of the reasons for our victory tonight (Saturday night)," he added. The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Sunday, February 26, 2012
-HM opens Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy
CAPTAIN fantastic couldn't have struck at a better time.
Brunei skipper Md Najib Hj Tarif scored a freekick in injury time to give Brunei a 3-2 victory over Cambodia in Group B of the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) last night at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
Substitute Ak Md Abd Halim Pg Hj Hassan was brought down just outside the box with minutes before the final whistle. Md Najib stepped up and curled the ball to the top right corner for the win.
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, who earlier officiated at the opening ceremony of the tournament,was also present to witness the match.
Also in attendance was His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office; Their Royal Highnesses Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) Honorary President, Prince 'Abdul Malik and Prince 'Abdul Wakeel.
Cambodia had the best of starts after Prak Mony Udom was brought down in the box by Abd Mu'iz Sisa in the sixth minute.
The former took the ensuing spotkick and made no mistake about it to give Cambodia a 1-0 lead.
The home team looked nervous after the early goal and Brunei fans were getting restless as the players were giving the ball away cheaply.
Striker Adi Said got behind the Cambodian backline in the 23rd minute and was brought down in the box, but the referee waved it off as the Brunei bench had their hands up in disbelief.
Boosted by the royal family and fans' support Brunei began to settle, but midfielder Chhin Chhoeun was a constant menace for the Brunei defence with his pace.
Cambodia were relying on their counter-attack and almost doubled their lead when Srey Udom was given space to work on the right but his cross saw Teab Vathanak's attempt inches wide off the Brunei post.
Brunei equallised just before the break after the Cambodian defence failed to clear the ball in the box allowing Md Hendra Azam Md Idris to drill in a low shot that slipped under the arms of Cambodia goalkeeper Sar Sophea.
The hosts came out storming in the second half. They were playing at a faster pace and were continuously on the attack, but they were also too wasteful.
Md Azwan Ali Rahman should have given the Sultanate the lead in the 54th minute, but his shot went just above the crossbar.
They finally found a breakthrough in the 75th minute for the lead. Brunei went on a counter-attack and substitute Md Shafie Hj Md Effendy slotted a perfect throughball for Adi to rifle home and put Brunei up at 2-1.
Md Azwan should have put the match to bed with his attempt in the 80th minute, but his shot was cleared off the line.
Cambodia levelled in the 83rd minute with a freekick by Chan Vathanaka which floated over the Brunei wall and over the outstretched arm of Mk Fakhrul Zulhazmi Yussof.
Both teams looked like they were going to share the spoils before Md Najib turned hero.
"It was a difficult game but the players showed good team organisation and good mentality," said Kwon Oh-son, the Brunei national coach, after the match.
"The defence was good, but our strikers lacked the finishing tonight (Saturday night). We have a short break before our next game (against Vietnam on Wednesday) and we shall prepare ourselves," he added.
THE national football team were 3-2 winners over Cambodia in their Group B game of the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy last night at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
And the team felt that they couldn't have done it without the 12th man with the venue packed with thousands of supporters for their opener.
"We would like to thank the crowd for the huge support that they gave us. We hope that they will continuously come to the stadium and pack it to the brim," said Hj Feisal Hj Eusoff, the manager of the Brunei team, after the win.
"Who are we without the supporters? They are definitely one of the reasons for our victory tonight (Saturday night)," he added. The Brunei Times
23 February 2012
Two more teams arrive
Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Timor Leste and Myanmar in town for HBT
BOTH the Timor Leste and Myanmar national Under-21 football teams touched down in Brunei last night making them the second and third teams to arrive for the 2012 Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT).
Myanmar are one of the favourites for the title this year after finishing second best in the past two editions.
The last edition in 2007 saw them lose 5-4 on penalties against Thailand in the final. They had also lost to the same opponents 3-0 in the final back in 2005.
The Myanmar side are training under head coach South Korean Park Sung-wha.
They have been drawn in Group A with Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines and Singapore.
They will be playing the first match of the competition which is against the Philippines on Friday at the Berakas Sports Complex at 4.15pm.
On the other hand, Timor Leste will be making their debut in the competition and are attending as a guest team for the Feb 25-March 9 biennial event for the Under-21 football teams in the region.
The team in Group B with hosts Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia are coached by Japanese Norio Tsukitate and they will open their campaign against Malaysia on Monday at the Berakas Sports Complex at 8.15pm.
The squad also consist of the two oldest players in the tournament: forward Emilio Ribeiro Da Silva, 30, and Miguel Santos Soares, 28.
"We want to make it to the next round, but it will be very difficult for us. We have only started training one month ago, but I do hope that we can come up with good results," Tsukitate told The Brunei Times upon arrival at the Brunei International Airport in Berakas last night.
The HBT winners will get $20,000, with the runners-up getting $10,000 and the third-placed side winning $5,000. There will be new champions this year with back-to-back winners Thailand pulling out of the competition last week due to unforeseen circumstances.
The rest of the teams are scheduled to arrive in Brunei today and they will take part in the march past parade for the 28th National Day Celebrations tomorrow.The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Timor Leste and Myanmar in town for HBT
BOTH the Timor Leste and Myanmar national Under-21 football teams touched down in Brunei last night making them the second and third teams to arrive for the 2012 Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT).
Myanmar are one of the favourites for the title this year after finishing second best in the past two editions.
The last edition in 2007 saw them lose 5-4 on penalties against Thailand in the final. They had also lost to the same opponents 3-0 in the final back in 2005.
The Myanmar side are training under head coach South Korean Park Sung-wha.
They have been drawn in Group A with Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines and Singapore.
They will be playing the first match of the competition which is against the Philippines on Friday at the Berakas Sports Complex at 4.15pm.
On the other hand, Timor Leste will be making their debut in the competition and are attending as a guest team for the Feb 25-March 9 biennial event for the Under-21 football teams in the region.
The team in Group B with hosts Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia are coached by Japanese Norio Tsukitate and they will open their campaign against Malaysia on Monday at the Berakas Sports Complex at 8.15pm.
The squad also consist of the two oldest players in the tournament: forward Emilio Ribeiro Da Silva, 30, and Miguel Santos Soares, 28.
"We want to make it to the next round, but it will be very difficult for us. We have only started training one month ago, but I do hope that we can come up with good results," Tsukitate told The Brunei Times upon arrival at the Brunei International Airport in Berakas last night.
The HBT winners will get $20,000, with the runners-up getting $10,000 and the third-placed side winning $5,000. There will be new champions this year with back-to-back winners Thailand pulling out of the competition last week due to unforeseen circumstances.
The rest of the teams are scheduled to arrive in Brunei today and they will take part in the march past parade for the 28th National Day Celebrations tomorrow.The Brunei Times
22 February 2012
Rain spoils 'HBT rehearsal' in Berakas
Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
LET the countdown begin!
The Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) is just around the corner and it will be the biggest ever.
The organisers are busy preparing for the Under-21 tournament and last night saw a rehearsal for the opening ceremony to be held on Saturday. But, it was put to an abrupt stop with the downpour at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
The final preparations are to ensure that everything will go well for the big day which will be graced by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.
Organisers are spending nearly $1.7 million for the tournament which will see 10 teams compete for top honours.
The biennial competition for Under-21 national football teams in the region will see nine ASEAN members (excluding Thailand who last week pulled out due to unforeseen circumstances) plus guests Timor Leste take to the pitch for the Feb 25-March 9 event.
Three of the country's biggest stadiums, all in Berakas, will play host to the two-week football extravaganza.
Apart from the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas, the Berakas Sports Complex and Balapan Track & Field at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas will be used for the matches.
The HBT is the brainchild of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, who desired that a football tournament be organised with the aim of increasing friendship and understanding among Southeast Asian youth through sports.
Brunei are placed in Group B with Timor Leste, Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia.
On the other hand, Group A are made up of Singapore, Myanmar, the Philippines, Indonesia and Laos.
The top-two countries from each group advance to the semi-finals, a feat which Brunei have yet to achieve despite hosting the tournament in 2002, 2005 and 2007.
This year's edition of the tournament will allow each team to include five overage players though only three can be fielded in each match.
National striker Adi Said, midfielders Mohd Hendra Azam Mohd Idris and Mohd Najib as well as defenders Md Azri Zahari and Reduan Hj Petara have been chosen as the five players.
Entrance is free but fans have to obtain tickets at the venue at least one hour before a match kicks off.
More information can also be obtained by logging on to www.hassanalbolkiahtrophy.com.bn. The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
LET the countdown begin!
The Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) is just around the corner and it will be the biggest ever.
The organisers are busy preparing for the Under-21 tournament and last night saw a rehearsal for the opening ceremony to be held on Saturday. But, it was put to an abrupt stop with the downpour at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
The final preparations are to ensure that everything will go well for the big day which will be graced by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.
Organisers are spending nearly $1.7 million for the tournament which will see 10 teams compete for top honours.
The biennial competition for Under-21 national football teams in the region will see nine ASEAN members (excluding Thailand who last week pulled out due to unforeseen circumstances) plus guests Timor Leste take to the pitch for the Feb 25-March 9 event.
Three of the country's biggest stadiums, all in Berakas, will play host to the two-week football extravaganza.
Apart from the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas, the Berakas Sports Complex and Balapan Track & Field at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas will be used for the matches.
The HBT is the brainchild of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, who desired that a football tournament be organised with the aim of increasing friendship and understanding among Southeast Asian youth through sports.
Brunei are placed in Group B with Timor Leste, Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia.
On the other hand, Group A are made up of Singapore, Myanmar, the Philippines, Indonesia and Laos.
The top-two countries from each group advance to the semi-finals, a feat which Brunei have yet to achieve despite hosting the tournament in 2002, 2005 and 2007.
This year's edition of the tournament will allow each team to include five overage players though only three can be fielded in each match.
National striker Adi Said, midfielders Mohd Hendra Azam Mohd Idris and Mohd Najib as well as defenders Md Azri Zahari and Reduan Hj Petara have been chosen as the five players.
Entrance is free but fans have to obtain tickets at the venue at least one hour before a match kicks off.
More information can also be obtained by logging on to www.hassanalbolkiahtrophy.com.bn. The Brunei Times
20 February 2012
Birthday gift for Crown Prince
Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, February 20, 2012
DPMM FC beat SAF FC to collect 1st win in S-League
DPMM FC yesterday delivered a belated birthday present to His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office.
DPMM FC picked up their first win in over two years with a 2-1 victory over SAF (Singapore Armed Forces) FC in the Singapore League (S-League) last night at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium in Singapore.
The win came two days after HRH's 38th birthday. The Crown Prince is the chairman of DPMM FC.
The victory also extends the unbeaten streak by DPMM FC against the Singapore giants to six games five wins and one draw.
DPMM FC started brightly when striker Osman Basiru opened the scoring after connecting on a corner kick from the right side in the 17th minute.
This is the second consecutive match that the Ghanaian forward has put his name on the scoresheet.
The match was evenly contested with both teams creating various chances.
But, SAF FC had to wait until the 68th minute to find a breakthrough. Midfielder Tatsuro Inui equallised after leaving DPMM FC goalkeeper Wardun Yussof with no chance scoring with a free-kick from 20 metres out.
The game was heading for a draw until striker Shahrazen Md Said worked his magic.
The Bruneian dribbled past two defenders in the box and beat goalkeeper Hassan Sunny in the 80th minute to seal the win.
DPMM FC head coach Vjeran Simunic was delighted with the result revealing that there was additional motivation to grab those three points.
"We promised the Crown Prince that we will win the match for him," said Simunic during a phone interview with The Brunei Times after the win last night.
"It was important for us to repeat our performance just like against Tampines (Rovers last Sunday), but I thought we did a little better tonight (Sunday night)," added the coach.
"We are happy to get points away from home and have four points from two games. We played a good game and beat an excellent team," continued the Croatian.
What was more impressive was the fact that DPMM FC contested the match without six key players against a team that found the back of the net 74 times last season.
"We fielded eight attacking players and only two defenders. It is good so far that we can still play despite missing six defenders who are not match fit," said Simunic.
"I do hope that we can be a complete team soon and get to the level that we once were," he added.
Last night's victory puts DPMM FC in fourth with four points. SAF FC, meanwhile, are second from bottom, still without any points after losing both their matches.
DPMM FC will have a break before their next match which will be held on March 11 against current table toppers Albirex Niigata at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
"We have a break in between and we might meet a team who will go into the match still unbeaten," said Simunic.
"We need to beat them. We will prepare right away and keep the good form that we are in at the moment," he added.
In the other match last night, Woodlands won their second straight with a 3-1 triumph over Geylang United at the Woodlands Stadium.
Hussein Akil opened the scoring for Woodlands in the 59th minute and Goh Swee Swee doubled their advantage in the 70th minute.
Danial Razali would pull one back for Geylang in the 83rd minute but Moon Soon Ho put the game to bed with a goal for Woodlands in the 88th minute.The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, February 20, 2012
DPMM FC beat SAF FC to collect 1st win in S-League
DPMM FC yesterday delivered a belated birthday present to His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office.
DPMM FC picked up their first win in over two years with a 2-1 victory over SAF (Singapore Armed Forces) FC in the Singapore League (S-League) last night at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium in Singapore.
The win came two days after HRH's 38th birthday. The Crown Prince is the chairman of DPMM FC.
The victory also extends the unbeaten streak by DPMM FC against the Singapore giants to six games five wins and one draw.
DPMM FC started brightly when striker Osman Basiru opened the scoring after connecting on a corner kick from the right side in the 17th minute.
This is the second consecutive match that the Ghanaian forward has put his name on the scoresheet.
The match was evenly contested with both teams creating various chances.
But, SAF FC had to wait until the 68th minute to find a breakthrough. Midfielder Tatsuro Inui equallised after leaving DPMM FC goalkeeper Wardun Yussof with no chance scoring with a free-kick from 20 metres out.
The game was heading for a draw until striker Shahrazen Md Said worked his magic.
The Bruneian dribbled past two defenders in the box and beat goalkeeper Hassan Sunny in the 80th minute to seal the win.
DPMM FC head coach Vjeran Simunic was delighted with the result revealing that there was additional motivation to grab those three points.
"We promised the Crown Prince that we will win the match for him," said Simunic during a phone interview with The Brunei Times after the win last night.
"It was important for us to repeat our performance just like against Tampines (Rovers last Sunday), but I thought we did a little better tonight (Sunday night)," added the coach.
"We are happy to get points away from home and have four points from two games. We played a good game and beat an excellent team," continued the Croatian.
What was more impressive was the fact that DPMM FC contested the match without six key players against a team that found the back of the net 74 times last season.
"We fielded eight attacking players and only two defenders. It is good so far that we can still play despite missing six defenders who are not match fit," said Simunic.
"I do hope that we can be a complete team soon and get to the level that we once were," he added.
Last night's victory puts DPMM FC in fourth with four points. SAF FC, meanwhile, are second from bottom, still without any points after losing both their matches.
DPMM FC will have a break before their next match which will be held on March 11 against current table toppers Albirex Niigata at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
"We have a break in between and we might meet a team who will go into the match still unbeaten," said Simunic.
"We need to beat them. We will prepare right away and keep the good form that we are in at the moment," he added.
In the other match last night, Woodlands won their second straight with a 3-1 triumph over Geylang United at the Woodlands Stadium.
Hussein Akil opened the scoring for Woodlands in the 59th minute and Goh Swee Swee doubled their advantage in the 70th minute.
Danial Razali would pull one back for Geylang in the 83rd minute but Moon Soon Ho put the game to bed with a goal for Woodlands in the 88th minute.The Brunei Times
Large turnout for futsal selection
Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, February 20, 2012
MORE than 70 players turned up for the futsal squad selection for the upcoming Asean Football Federation Futsal Tournament at the Indoor Stadium Hassanal Bolkiah, Berakas last night.
The selection was coordinated by the National Football Association Brunei Darussalam.
Hj Hamidon Hj Mohd Zain, one of the organisers of the futsal squad selection, was glad to see many players turned out for the selection.
"There are many players coming for the selection tonight, the response is quite good," he said.
"This selection is held to give the opportunity to the public to participate in the selection and to search for a good players to prepare our national squad in the Asean Football Federation Futsal Tournament that will be held on the 17 to 24 April in Bangkok, Thailand," he said.
"The players that we are looking for in this selection must have certain criteria, such as their individual's skill, passes, ball control and the most important thing is the discipline and the ability to work with the rest of the team (teamwork).
"For the goalkeeper, we will be looking at the speed, reaction and the ability to read and anticipate the ball" he added.
According to Hj Hamidon ex-national players, Zaini Tumih, Azmanuddin Gillen, Md Ali Anapiyah Hj Md Noor and Hj Noorazmi Pehin Hj Abd Razak will be appointed as the coaches to help the country to prepare for the Asean Football Federation Futsal Tournament in April.
Among the players at the selection were the national players that grabbed the gold medal for the country in the Borneo Games at Samarinda, East Kalimantan, in Indonesia last December. The futsal squad selection will be held again tonight at 8pm at the Indoor Stadium, Berakas.
More information can be obtained by contacting Hj Hamidon Hj Mohd Zain, 8738479 and Hj Mohd Noor Hj Abd Hamid, 8633368. The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, February 20, 2012
MORE than 70 players turned up for the futsal squad selection for the upcoming Asean Football Federation Futsal Tournament at the Indoor Stadium Hassanal Bolkiah, Berakas last night.
The selection was coordinated by the National Football Association Brunei Darussalam.
Hj Hamidon Hj Mohd Zain, one of the organisers of the futsal squad selection, was glad to see many players turned out for the selection.
"There are many players coming for the selection tonight, the response is quite good," he said.
"This selection is held to give the opportunity to the public to participate in the selection and to search for a good players to prepare our national squad in the Asean Football Federation Futsal Tournament that will be held on the 17 to 24 April in Bangkok, Thailand," he said.
"The players that we are looking for in this selection must have certain criteria, such as their individual's skill, passes, ball control and the most important thing is the discipline and the ability to work with the rest of the team (teamwork).
"For the goalkeeper, we will be looking at the speed, reaction and the ability to read and anticipate the ball" he added.
According to Hj Hamidon ex-national players, Zaini Tumih, Azmanuddin Gillen, Md Ali Anapiyah Hj Md Noor and Hj Noorazmi Pehin Hj Abd Razak will be appointed as the coaches to help the country to prepare for the Asean Football Federation Futsal Tournament in April.
Among the players at the selection were the national players that grabbed the gold medal for the country in the Borneo Games at Samarinda, East Kalimantan, in Indonesia last December. The futsal squad selection will be held again tonight at 8pm at the Indoor Stadium, Berakas.
More information can be obtained by contacting Hj Hamidon Hj Mohd Zain, 8738479 and Hj Mohd Noor Hj Abd Hamid, 8633368. The Brunei Times
19 February 2012
Thais pull out of HBT
Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Sunday, February 19, 2012
-Defending champions Thailand pull out due to 'unforeseen circumstances'
-Brunei take Thailand's slot in Group B
NEW champions will be crowned on March 9 after defending champions Thailand (pic) pulled out of the 2012 Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT).
Thailand's absence is not just bad news for football fans, but also for the national team since it resulted in Brunei having a more difficult route to the semi-finals. The Thais' withdrawal was revealed by Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Hamid Hj Mohd Jaafar, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, during a Press conference at the Green Room of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas yesterday.
Brunei were initially in Group A with Singapore, Myanmar, the Philippines, Indonesia and Laos.
Thailand, meanwhile, were in Group B with Timor Leste, Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia.
Without the participation of the Thais there would only be four teams in Group B. Hence, Brunei decided to balance out the groups and take over Thailand's slot.
"We received the information on Feb 16 (Thursday). We as the hosts respect and accept the decision by the Thailand Football Association to pull out in the last minute," said Dato Paduka Hj Abdul Rahman Hj Mohiddin, the president of NFABD (National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam).
Thailand cited unforeseen circumstances as the reason for their withdrawal.
"As the hosts we get to choose our group. But, seeing that there is a vacancy in Group B and after seeking advice from the AFF (ASEAN Football Federation), we will have to balance it out," he added.
"According to the tournament rules, as the hosts, Brunei can change to another group."
Despite having to cope with a new and tougher group, national football coach Kwon Oh-son feels that there is nothing to worry about for the Feb 25-March 9 competition.
"It shouldn't be a problem for us. We have been preparing for all the countries participating in the competition and not only those from our group," said Kwon.
"There are good teams in the group, but we will continue to train in the lead up to the tournament and be ready (for the challenge)," he added.
Instead of playing Laos for their opening match on Feb 25, Brunei will face off against Cambodia for their first test.
"We are ready for the opening match. It will be a good match-up since our opponents have been training for a long time as well," said the South Korean.
"We are always looking for a win. The players have a lot of potential and training has gone well.
"The coaches, manager and officials have all worked hard together so we are looking to put up some good results," continued Kwon.
The national coach picked Vietnam to be the team to beat in the group. Brunei play Vietnam on Feb 29.
Yesterday also saw the handover of HBT promotional posters to respective ministries and departments by Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Hamid, who is also the chairman of the HBT main committee.
The HBT is the brainchild of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, who desired that a football tournament be organised with the aim of increasing friendship and understanding among Southeast Asian youth through sports.
The organisers expect His Majesty to grace the opening ceremony of the competition on Feb 25.
On the other hand, His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, is expected to attend the final and closing ceremony on March 9.
The top-two countries from each group advance to the semi-finals, a feat which Brunei have yet to achieve despite hosting the tournament in 2002, 2005 and 2007.
This year's edition of the tournament will allow each team to include five overage players though only three can be fielded in each match.
National striker Adi Said, midfielders Mohd Hendra Azam Mohd Idris and Mohd Najib as well as defenders Md Azri Zahari and Reduan Hj Petara have been chosen as the five players.
Entrance is free but spectators have to obtain tickets at the venue at least one hour before the match kicks off.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Sunday, February 19, 2012
-Defending champions Thailand pull out due to 'unforeseen circumstances'
-Brunei take Thailand's slot in Group B
NEW champions will be crowned on March 9 after defending champions Thailand (pic) pulled out of the 2012 Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT).
Thailand's absence is not just bad news for football fans, but also for the national team since it resulted in Brunei having a more difficult route to the semi-finals. The Thais' withdrawal was revealed by Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Hamid Hj Mohd Jaafar, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, during a Press conference at the Green Room of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas yesterday.
Brunei were initially in Group A with Singapore, Myanmar, the Philippines, Indonesia and Laos.
Thailand, meanwhile, were in Group B with Timor Leste, Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia.
Without the participation of the Thais there would only be four teams in Group B. Hence, Brunei decided to balance out the groups and take over Thailand's slot.
"We received the information on Feb 16 (Thursday). We as the hosts respect and accept the decision by the Thailand Football Association to pull out in the last minute," said Dato Paduka Hj Abdul Rahman Hj Mohiddin, the president of NFABD (National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam).
Thailand cited unforeseen circumstances as the reason for their withdrawal.
"As the hosts we get to choose our group. But, seeing that there is a vacancy in Group B and after seeking advice from the AFF (ASEAN Football Federation), we will have to balance it out," he added.
"According to the tournament rules, as the hosts, Brunei can change to another group."
Despite having to cope with a new and tougher group, national football coach Kwon Oh-son feels that there is nothing to worry about for the Feb 25-March 9 competition.
"It shouldn't be a problem for us. We have been preparing for all the countries participating in the competition and not only those from our group," said Kwon.
"There are good teams in the group, but we will continue to train in the lead up to the tournament and be ready (for the challenge)," he added.
Instead of playing Laos for their opening match on Feb 25, Brunei will face off against Cambodia for their first test.
"We are ready for the opening match. It will be a good match-up since our opponents have been training for a long time as well," said the South Korean.
"We are always looking for a win. The players have a lot of potential and training has gone well.
"The coaches, manager and officials have all worked hard together so we are looking to put up some good results," continued Kwon.
The national coach picked Vietnam to be the team to beat in the group. Brunei play Vietnam on Feb 29.
Yesterday also saw the handover of HBT promotional posters to respective ministries and departments by Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Hamid, who is also the chairman of the HBT main committee.
The HBT is the brainchild of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, who desired that a football tournament be organised with the aim of increasing friendship and understanding among Southeast Asian youth through sports.
The organisers expect His Majesty to grace the opening ceremony of the competition on Feb 25.
On the other hand, His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, is expected to attend the final and closing ceremony on March 9.
The top-two countries from each group advance to the semi-finals, a feat which Brunei have yet to achieve despite hosting the tournament in 2002, 2005 and 2007.
This year's edition of the tournament will allow each team to include five overage players though only three can be fielded in each match.
National striker Adi Said, midfielders Mohd Hendra Azam Mohd Idris and Mohd Najib as well as defenders Md Azri Zahari and Reduan Hj Petara have been chosen as the five players.
Entrance is free but spectators have to obtain tickets at the venue at least one hour before the match kicks off.
S-League: Can DPMM FC gun down SAF FC?
Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Sunday, February 19, 2012
OLD foes are set for battle at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium in Singapore today.
DPMM FC will be looking to extend their unbeaten run against the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) FC when they meet today in the Singapore League (S-League).
Brunei's only professional football team have played the S-League giants five times and won four of those ties. The other result was a draw.
Their biggest victory was the 4-3 penalty shoot-out win which allowed DPMM FC to become the first foreign side to win the Singapore League Cup back in 2009.
Today's match, however, is going to be a tough trip for DPMM FC especially since this is their first away game for over two years.
But DPMM FC head coach Vjeran Simunic is hopeful of another good performance just like in their previous match against defending champions, Tampines Rovers, last Sunday which ended in a 2-2 draw at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
"We will need to repeat the same performance that we showed last weekend against Tampines. We had a good game and it is important that we do it again (this weekend)," said Simunic during an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.
"It is the wrong time to play against them as we are still missing six key players, but I do hope that it will be no problem," he added
"It is definitely better to have a full lineup, but we will go out there and do our best against them," continued the Croatian.
The head coach said that key players like Yussof Salleh, Pg Sallehuddin Pg Hj Damit and Abang Norsilmy Abang Hj Taha, who are still not match fit, were vital at the defensive end.
SAF FC found the back of the net 74 times last season and their Croatian hitman Mislav Karoglan scored 33 of them. Their local striker Farzul Nawaz contributed 15 to the tally.
Hence, DPMM FC's back line will have to work extra hard and Simunic is expecting their opponents to go all out against them today.
"We expect a lot from Sunday's match because we have always come up with good results against SAF FC," said Simunic.
"But, that could also lead to bigger motivation for them to seek revenge ... and they could be under pressure to get it done," he added.
The coach is also hoping that his side can pick up quickly and get back to their old pace.
"The problem is that we missed friendly games and during the early stages of the season the matches are being treated as preparations (for the entire season)," explained Simunic.
"Our bench needs more experience and we should be at the level that we want to be in the next three months," he added.
"I do hope that we can get back to the level that we were two years ago and I believe that we are on the right track. We need to be patient and we have to trust in ourselves to be where we want to be," he concluded.
The match will kick off at 7.45pm.The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Sunday, February 19, 2012
OLD foes are set for battle at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium in Singapore today.
DPMM FC will be looking to extend their unbeaten run against the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) FC when they meet today in the Singapore League (S-League).
Brunei's only professional football team have played the S-League giants five times and won four of those ties. The other result was a draw.
Their biggest victory was the 4-3 penalty shoot-out win which allowed DPMM FC to become the first foreign side to win the Singapore League Cup back in 2009.
Today's match, however, is going to be a tough trip for DPMM FC especially since this is their first away game for over two years.
But DPMM FC head coach Vjeran Simunic is hopeful of another good performance just like in their previous match against defending champions, Tampines Rovers, last Sunday which ended in a 2-2 draw at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
"We will need to repeat the same performance that we showed last weekend against Tampines. We had a good game and it is important that we do it again (this weekend)," said Simunic during an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.
"It is the wrong time to play against them as we are still missing six key players, but I do hope that it will be no problem," he added
"It is definitely better to have a full lineup, but we will go out there and do our best against them," continued the Croatian.
The head coach said that key players like Yussof Salleh, Pg Sallehuddin Pg Hj Damit and Abang Norsilmy Abang Hj Taha, who are still not match fit, were vital at the defensive end.
SAF FC found the back of the net 74 times last season and their Croatian hitman Mislav Karoglan scored 33 of them. Their local striker Farzul Nawaz contributed 15 to the tally.
Hence, DPMM FC's back line will have to work extra hard and Simunic is expecting their opponents to go all out against them today.
"We expect a lot from Sunday's match because we have always come up with good results against SAF FC," said Simunic.
"But, that could also lead to bigger motivation for them to seek revenge ... and they could be under pressure to get it done," he added.
The coach is also hoping that his side can pick up quickly and get back to their old pace.
"The problem is that we missed friendly games and during the early stages of the season the matches are being treated as preparations (for the entire season)," explained Simunic.
"Our bench needs more experience and we should be at the level that we want to be in the next three months," he added.
"I do hope that we can get back to the level that we were two years ago and I believe that we are on the right track. We need to be patient and we have to trust in ourselves to be where we want to be," he concluded.
The match will kick off at 7.45pm.The Brunei Times
Kwon unhappy with wasteful HBT team
Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Saturday, February 18, 2012
NATIONAL coach Kwon Oh-son was unhappy with the performance of the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) team despite his side's 2-0 victory in a friendly match over LLRC FT at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas last night.
"I am not very happy with the players' performance today (Friday) ...they had so many chances, but failed to score," said Kwon.
"The midfielders and attackers' attitude and mentality were not good today, they were too over-confident. I hope I won't see the same mistake again.
"Next week we will play against MS ABDB, I want my players, especially the attackers, to be faster and sharper. They need to pressure more," said the South Korean.
"We are going to focus on set pieces and finishing for this Tuesday's game," he told The Brunei Times.
Lasr night's game was an evenly contested match from the start with both teams getting several chances on goal throughout the first half. They created plenty of opportunities, but failed to find the back of the net.
The national HBT team had to wait until the 78th minute to finally break the deadlock.
Striker Adi Said headed home the first goal from a corner kick after he rose above two LLRC FT defenders to give the HBT team a 1-0 lead.
The second goal saw Adi calmly slot the ball past the LLRC FT goalkeeper into the right-hand corner of the net in the 85th minute.
Hj Feisal Hj Eussof, the manager of the Brunei HBT team, agreed with Kwon on the team's performance last night, but remained optimistic that the team would perform well in this month's tournament.
"I have to agree with Kwon, they were many chances in front of the goal not converted in the game, but we still have time to improve. What we need to do now is identify the problem and improve on it," he said.
Brunei will start their HBT campaign against Laos next Saturday and face Singapore two days later.
The Sultanate will clash against Indonesia on Feb 29 in what will prove to be a crucial tie against the strongest team in Group A.The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Saturday, February 18, 2012
NATIONAL coach Kwon Oh-son was unhappy with the performance of the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) team despite his side's 2-0 victory in a friendly match over LLRC FT at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas last night.
"I am not very happy with the players' performance today (Friday) ...they had so many chances, but failed to score," said Kwon.
"The midfielders and attackers' attitude and mentality were not good today, they were too over-confident. I hope I won't see the same mistake again.
"Next week we will play against MS ABDB, I want my players, especially the attackers, to be faster and sharper. They need to pressure more," said the South Korean.
"We are going to focus on set pieces and finishing for this Tuesday's game," he told The Brunei Times.
Lasr night's game was an evenly contested match from the start with both teams getting several chances on goal throughout the first half. They created plenty of opportunities, but failed to find the back of the net.
The national HBT team had to wait until the 78th minute to finally break the deadlock.
Striker Adi Said headed home the first goal from a corner kick after he rose above two LLRC FT defenders to give the HBT team a 1-0 lead.
The second goal saw Adi calmly slot the ball past the LLRC FT goalkeeper into the right-hand corner of the net in the 85th minute.
Hj Feisal Hj Eussof, the manager of the Brunei HBT team, agreed with Kwon on the team's performance last night, but remained optimistic that the team would perform well in this month's tournament.
"I have to agree with Kwon, they were many chances in front of the goal not converted in the game, but we still have time to improve. What we need to do now is identify the problem and improve on it," he said.
Brunei will start their HBT campaign against Laos next Saturday and face Singapore two days later.
The Sultanate will clash against Indonesia on Feb 29 in what will prove to be a crucial tie against the strongest team in Group A.The Brunei Times
16 February 2012
HBT dominate Majra FC in friendly
Jason Thomas
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Thursday, February 16, 2012
BRACES from three players helped the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) team to a 7-1 win over Majra FC in a friendly match last night.
The HBT team is in the final stages of preparation for the Feb 25-March 9 competition for Under-21 national sides, and last night's tie against the reigning DST Group Brunei League Cup champions was the latest in a series of friendlies.
Striker Adi Said, midfielder Md Aqmal Hakeem Abd Hamid and defender Hazwan Hamzah each scored two goals with midfielder Md Nurikhwan Othman also getting in on the action at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
Assistant coach Hj Mohd Rosanan Abdullah Samak said that the first-11 played the first half which ended 5-0 with the second period seeing the reserves take over.
"I'm happy with the way the first-11 played ... How they created chances, converted them, passed the ball and moved," said the 1999 Malaysia Cup winner.
"But for the reserves that want to work their way into the starting 11 ... They need more time. They need to play more games but time is running out," he said, adding the team will meet Belait-based Lumut Liang Recreational Club Football Team (LLRC FT) on Friday.
Brunei start their HBT campaign against Laos next Saturday and face Singapore two days later.
The Sultanate will clash against Indonesia on Feb 29 in what will prove to be a crucial tie against the strongest team in Group A.
They then go up against 2007 runners-up Myanmar on March 3 and end the group stage against the Philippines two days later.
Titleholders Thailand meet Cambodia, Malaysia, Timor Leste and Vietnam in Group B.
A biennial event, the top-two teams in each group progress to the semi-finals which Brunei has yet to achieve.
Thailand beat Myanmar 5-4 on penalties the last time the HBT was contested in 2007.
They also saw off Indonesia to lift the 2005 edition of the trophy. Indonesia were the inaugural champions after defeating Malaysia in the 2002 final.
The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Thursday, February 16, 2012
BRACES from three players helped the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) team to a 7-1 win over Majra FC in a friendly match last night.
The HBT team is in the final stages of preparation for the Feb 25-March 9 competition for Under-21 national sides, and last night's tie against the reigning DST Group Brunei League Cup champions was the latest in a series of friendlies.
Striker Adi Said, midfielder Md Aqmal Hakeem Abd Hamid and defender Hazwan Hamzah each scored two goals with midfielder Md Nurikhwan Othman also getting in on the action at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
Assistant coach Hj Mohd Rosanan Abdullah Samak said that the first-11 played the first half which ended 5-0 with the second period seeing the reserves take over.
"I'm happy with the way the first-11 played ... How they created chances, converted them, passed the ball and moved," said the 1999 Malaysia Cup winner.
"But for the reserves that want to work their way into the starting 11 ... They need more time. They need to play more games but time is running out," he said, adding the team will meet Belait-based Lumut Liang Recreational Club Football Team (LLRC FT) on Friday.
Brunei start their HBT campaign against Laos next Saturday and face Singapore two days later.
The Sultanate will clash against Indonesia on Feb 29 in what will prove to be a crucial tie against the strongest team in Group A.
They then go up against 2007 runners-up Myanmar on March 3 and end the group stage against the Philippines two days later.
Titleholders Thailand meet Cambodia, Malaysia, Timor Leste and Vietnam in Group B.
A biennial event, the top-two teams in each group progress to the semi-finals which Brunei has yet to achieve.
Thailand beat Myanmar 5-4 on penalties the last time the HBT was contested in 2007.
They also saw off Indonesia to lift the 2005 edition of the trophy. Indonesia were the inaugural champions after defeating Malaysia in the 2002 final.
The Brunei Times
13 February 2012
DPMM FC drop points
Jason Thomas
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, February 13, 2012
WHAT should have been a fairytale finish ended in frustration for DPMM FC last night.
Playing their first competitive game since September 2009, DPMM FC let in a heart-wrenching injury-time goal to let Singapore League (S-League) titleholders Tampines Rovers FC steal a 2-2 draw.
Midfielder Jamil Ali's lob over Wardun Yussof was a sobering sight for the healthy crowd at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas, all eager to watch their team's S-League season opener.
Also present at the stadium were His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, HRH Prince 'Abdul Malik and HRH Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah.
With three corners in the first two minutes, DPMM FC didn't waste any time getting their fans on the edge of their seats and got in front after an Osman Basiru strike in the 38th minute.
Though Fahrudin Mustafic would equalise early in the second half, an error by Tampines shot-stopper Sasa Dreven saw Ivan Jerkovic hand the hosts a 2-1 lead in the 69th minute only for Jamil to spoil the party.
Frustrated fans might have complained that Vjeran Simunic's decision to substitute two defenders in the last 10 minutes backfired, but the coach stuck to his guns.
"We changed them (left-back Sairol Hj Sahari and right-back Shahrulrizal Hj Abd Rahman) because they were injured," said the Croatian.
"We could win ... No, we deserved to win. We showed we're a good team and that Singapore must care about us.
"We deserved the three points, but because of the beep test we are without key players like (defender) Yussof Salleh and (midfielder) Abang Norsilmy Abang Hj Taha," he said, referring to the mandatory fitness test that several of his players have been unable to pass.
Osman netted the opener when he pounced on defender Tales Ricarte dos Santos's shot that rebounded off the cross-bar after a corner-kick from Azwan Salleh.
Not only was dos Santos a monster in the air, the Brazilian also kept a tight leash on Aleksandar Duric, though the veteran striker was able to deliver a header which was easily saved by Wardun in the 44th minute and then saw Davor Piskor's shot sail wide of the left post a minute later.
But there was no denying Tampines in the 48th minute when Mustafic rifled a low free-kick past Wardun's left after Jerkovic had fouled Jamil outside the box.
Wardun was called into action again 10 minutes later with a brilliant point-blank save from Jamil's shot.
DPMM FC captain Rosmin Hj Kamis was a beast in the centre of the park with his ball-winning abilities and cool head working well with his Croatian central midfield partner Jerkovic.
But overall, the team failed to create space and work the ball around a well organised Tampines back-line marshalled by Mustafic.
Less than six yards out, Rodrigo Gral should have made it 2-1 to DPMM FC after receiving a Shahrazen Md Said pass in the 62nd minute. But Dreven, who had a fine game in between the sticks, came off his line to save from close-range.
Dreven was not so lucky seven minutes later though.
Basiru passed the ball to Jerkovic, and with space and time, fired a 25-yard cannonball which his compatriot had a hand on but could not hold on to.
As opposed to Gral, Basiru was a menace throughout the game with hiswillingness to run at defenders and had a penalty claim dismissed in the 72nd minute.
Dos Santos proved his worth once again in the 77th minute with a goal-line clearance, but failing to keep the ball, the three points was always in threat.
When Jamil took advantage of some confusion in the box after all, Sairol and Shahrulrizal's substitutes, Mohammad Helmi Zambin and Suhaime Md Yussof might not have known who to mark there was nothing Simunic could do but just cover his face and turn away.
The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, February 13, 2012
WHAT should have been a fairytale finish ended in frustration for DPMM FC last night.
Playing their first competitive game since September 2009, DPMM FC let in a heart-wrenching injury-time goal to let Singapore League (S-League) titleholders Tampines Rovers FC steal a 2-2 draw.
Midfielder Jamil Ali's lob over Wardun Yussof was a sobering sight for the healthy crowd at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas, all eager to watch their team's S-League season opener.
Also present at the stadium were His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, HRH Prince 'Abdul Malik and HRH Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah.
With three corners in the first two minutes, DPMM FC didn't waste any time getting their fans on the edge of their seats and got in front after an Osman Basiru strike in the 38th minute.
Though Fahrudin Mustafic would equalise early in the second half, an error by Tampines shot-stopper Sasa Dreven saw Ivan Jerkovic hand the hosts a 2-1 lead in the 69th minute only for Jamil to spoil the party.
Frustrated fans might have complained that Vjeran Simunic's decision to substitute two defenders in the last 10 minutes backfired, but the coach stuck to his guns.
"We changed them (left-back Sairol Hj Sahari and right-back Shahrulrizal Hj Abd Rahman) because they were injured," said the Croatian.
"We could win ... No, we deserved to win. We showed we're a good team and that Singapore must care about us.
"We deserved the three points, but because of the beep test we are without key players like (defender) Yussof Salleh and (midfielder) Abang Norsilmy Abang Hj Taha," he said, referring to the mandatory fitness test that several of his players have been unable to pass.
Osman netted the opener when he pounced on defender Tales Ricarte dos Santos's shot that rebounded off the cross-bar after a corner-kick from Azwan Salleh.
Not only was dos Santos a monster in the air, the Brazilian also kept a tight leash on Aleksandar Duric, though the veteran striker was able to deliver a header which was easily saved by Wardun in the 44th minute and then saw Davor Piskor's shot sail wide of the left post a minute later.
But there was no denying Tampines in the 48th minute when Mustafic rifled a low free-kick past Wardun's left after Jerkovic had fouled Jamil outside the box.
Wardun was called into action again 10 minutes later with a brilliant point-blank save from Jamil's shot.
DPMM FC captain Rosmin Hj Kamis was a beast in the centre of the park with his ball-winning abilities and cool head working well with his Croatian central midfield partner Jerkovic.
But overall, the team failed to create space and work the ball around a well organised Tampines back-line marshalled by Mustafic.
Less than six yards out, Rodrigo Gral should have made it 2-1 to DPMM FC after receiving a Shahrazen Md Said pass in the 62nd minute. But Dreven, who had a fine game in between the sticks, came off his line to save from close-range.
Dreven was not so lucky seven minutes later though.
Basiru passed the ball to Jerkovic, and with space and time, fired a 25-yard cannonball which his compatriot had a hand on but could not hold on to.
As opposed to Gral, Basiru was a menace throughout the game with hiswillingness to run at defenders and had a penalty claim dismissed in the 72nd minute.
Dos Santos proved his worth once again in the 77th minute with a goal-line clearance, but failing to keep the ball, the three points was always in threat.
When Jamil took advantage of some confusion in the box after all, Sairol and Shahrulrizal's substitutes, Mohammad Helmi Zambin and Suhaime Md Yussof might not have known who to mark there was nothing Simunic could do but just cover his face and turn away.
The Brunei Times
12 February 2012
DPMM FC vs 'Barca'
Jason Thomas
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Sunday, February 12, 2012
DPMM FC: Probable line-up : 3-4-3
Wardun Yussof; Sairol Hj Sahari, Tales Ricarte dos Santos, Shahrulrizal Hj Abd Rahman; Hj Muhd Subhi Abdilah Hj Bakir, Ivan Jerkovic, Rosmin Hj Mohd Kamis, Azwan Salleh; Rodrigo Gral,Osman Basiru, Shahrazen Md Said
VJERAN Simunic (pic) has just paid Tampines Rovers FC the ultimate compliment ahead of their Singapore League (S-League) season opener tonight.
DPMM FC face the defending champions at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas at 8.15pm in what will be their first S-League match since Sept 29, 2009 which coincidentally, was against the same opponents.
"They are like the Singaporean Barcelona," said the DPMM FC coach yesterday.
"(Forward) Aleksandar Duric and (midfielder) Fahrudin Mustafic are legends they are maybe the two best players in Singapore.
"Benoit Croissant is one of the best defenders in the league over the past seven to 10 years and the side also have a few good players who came from the Croatian first division ... goalkeeper Sasa Dreven, attacking midfielders Davor Piskor and Gligor Gligorov.
"Midfielders Jamil Ali, Imran Sahib, Ismadi Mukhtar have been involved in the Singapore (national) team so we all know Tampines are a strong side," he added.
DPMM FC's first meeting with the Stags on April 3, 2009, ended in a 1-1 draw at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore while the second on July 10, 2009, saw the hosts record a 2-1 win at the same venue. The third was the 2-2 draw.
The Croatian felt the 2-2 result three years ago was hardly relevant now that the team have reinforced their squad several times over.
Despite all the hype building up to the game against Tampines who won the Charity Shield after a conclusive 2-0 victory against Home United in the season's curtain raiser last Sunday Simunic seemed confident a win for the 2009 Singapore League Cup champions was on the cards.
"We can speak about Tampines for 10 pages, but I don't want to think about that I want to think about my own team," he said.
"We always play well against big teams and our fans are our 12th player. That will help us make a good performance," added the DPMM FC coach.
Tampines team manager Zulkarnaen Zainal admitted the Charity Shield win against Singapore Cup champions Home United was a welcome boost ahead of their title defence. Piskor and Gligorov netted both the goals to help the Stags take home the first piece of silverware on offer this season, and Zulkarnaen believed the team was now fully prepared for their first S-League game.
But though DPMM FC haven't played a competitive game in three years, the manager wasn't taking anything for granted.
"We're ready," promised Zulkarnaen in a telephone interview on Friday.
"It won't be easy to retain our title (and) we'll have to maintain our standard.
"We're expecting DPMM FC to field a good side. You cannot underestimate them, they must be respected.
"Of course we're happy we won the Charity Shield (but) for every team, every first match is a difficult task," he added.
Tonight's other game will see the Young Lions, Singapore's Under-23 team, take on Woodlands at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
Harimau Muda, Malaysia's Under-23 team, currently lead the S-League after a 2-0 win over Gombak United in the league's first day of action on Thursday. Though Albirex Niigata (S) upset giants Singapore Armed Forces FC 3-2 on Friday, they are second because of goal difference.
Tanjong Pagar and Hougang United played out a 1-1 draw on Thursday while Friday's other game saw Home United held to a 0-0 tie by Balestier Khalsa.The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Sunday, February 12, 2012
DPMM FC: Probable line-up : 3-4-3
Wardun Yussof; Sairol Hj Sahari, Tales Ricarte dos Santos, Shahrulrizal Hj Abd Rahman; Hj Muhd Subhi Abdilah Hj Bakir, Ivan Jerkovic, Rosmin Hj Mohd Kamis, Azwan Salleh; Rodrigo Gral,Osman Basiru, Shahrazen Md Said
VJERAN Simunic (pic) has just paid Tampines Rovers FC the ultimate compliment ahead of their Singapore League (S-League) season opener tonight.
DPMM FC face the defending champions at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas at 8.15pm in what will be their first S-League match since Sept 29, 2009 which coincidentally, was against the same opponents.
"They are like the Singaporean Barcelona," said the DPMM FC coach yesterday.
"(Forward) Aleksandar Duric and (midfielder) Fahrudin Mustafic are legends they are maybe the two best players in Singapore.
"Benoit Croissant is one of the best defenders in the league over the past seven to 10 years and the side also have a few good players who came from the Croatian first division ... goalkeeper Sasa Dreven, attacking midfielders Davor Piskor and Gligor Gligorov.
"Midfielders Jamil Ali, Imran Sahib, Ismadi Mukhtar have been involved in the Singapore (national) team so we all know Tampines are a strong side," he added.
DPMM FC's first meeting with the Stags on April 3, 2009, ended in a 1-1 draw at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore while the second on July 10, 2009, saw the hosts record a 2-1 win at the same venue. The third was the 2-2 draw.
The Croatian felt the 2-2 result three years ago was hardly relevant now that the team have reinforced their squad several times over.
Despite all the hype building up to the game against Tampines who won the Charity Shield after a conclusive 2-0 victory against Home United in the season's curtain raiser last Sunday Simunic seemed confident a win for the 2009 Singapore League Cup champions was on the cards.
"We can speak about Tampines for 10 pages, but I don't want to think about that I want to think about my own team," he said.
"We always play well against big teams and our fans are our 12th player. That will help us make a good performance," added the DPMM FC coach.
Tampines team manager Zulkarnaen Zainal admitted the Charity Shield win against Singapore Cup champions Home United was a welcome boost ahead of their title defence. Piskor and Gligorov netted both the goals to help the Stags take home the first piece of silverware on offer this season, and Zulkarnaen believed the team was now fully prepared for their first S-League game.
But though DPMM FC haven't played a competitive game in three years, the manager wasn't taking anything for granted.
"We're ready," promised Zulkarnaen in a telephone interview on Friday.
"It won't be easy to retain our title (and) we'll have to maintain our standard.
"We're expecting DPMM FC to field a good side. You cannot underestimate them, they must be respected.
"Of course we're happy we won the Charity Shield (but) for every team, every first match is a difficult task," he added.
Tonight's other game will see the Young Lions, Singapore's Under-23 team, take on Woodlands at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
Harimau Muda, Malaysia's Under-23 team, currently lead the S-League after a 2-0 win over Gombak United in the league's first day of action on Thursday. Though Albirex Niigata (S) upset giants Singapore Armed Forces FC 3-2 on Friday, they are second because of goal difference.
Tanjong Pagar and Hougang United played out a 1-1 draw on Thursday while Friday's other game saw Home United held to a 0-0 tie by Balestier Khalsa.The Brunei Times
09 February 2012
Friendly fire as HBT team shoot down MS ABDB
Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Thursday, February 9, 2012
THE national Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) team left it till late to win 1-0 against the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) in a friendly match last night at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
It was an evenly contested match from the start with both teams getting several chances on goal throughout the first half.
The HBT team enjoyed more ball possession despite their size disadvantage, using their pace to outrun their opponents.
MS ABDB came out on the attack in the second half but couldn't find a way to break down the national side's defence.
The HBT team did pick up the slack and had MS ABDB on the backfoot midway through the second half.
They created plenty of chances but failed to find the back of the net with their opponents clearing the ball well.
It was in the 80th minute when they finally broke the deadlock.
Striker Adi Said headed home the winner from a corner kick after he rose above two MS ABDB defenders to seal the match.
National football coach Kwon Oh-son felt that the game could have gone either way but praised his players on the win.
"It was only in the second half that the players stepped up to play a better at both ends. But I thought the players put up a pretty good performance and had good concentration throughout the game," said Kwon in an interview with The Brunei Times after the match.
"The only problem now is our finishing. We will have to continue to work on our attacking because as of now we are only at 85 per cent and we will need to get that 15 per cent just before the tournament (HBT)," he added.
"We have been working on our set pieces and it showed with the goal tonight (Wednesday night). I do believe in the players and they have got very good potential," continued the South Korean.
"It is good to get the win. We played a friendly (against MS ABDB) on Friday and won 3-2. This time our opponents came out prepared and have adjusted really well for the match," added the national coach.
The HBT team have to make use of every sparring opportunity both locally and internationally.
Their only chance on outside competition came at the 4th Borneo Games at Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, where they returned home from the Dec 4-11 biennial event with a silver medal.
They started the Games with a 2-0 win over Sarawak, but lost to eventual champions East Kalimantan 2-1 before bouncing back 2-1 against South Kalimantan to finish in second place.
The country have been handed a favourable draw in the competition for the Under-21 teams in the ASEAN region.
The Sultanate will take on Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and Singapore during the Feb 25-March 9 regional biennial tournament.
Group B is made up of defending champions Thailand, Cambodia, Timor Leste and Vietnam.
The top-two countries from each group will advance to the second round (semi-finals), a feat which Brunei has yet to achieve despite hosting it in 2002, 2005 and 2007.
Thailand are the tournament's defending champions after beating Myanmar 5-4 on penalties the last time the event was contested. Thailand beat Indonesia to lift the 2005 edition of the trophy to dethrone the previous titleholders.
The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Thursday, February 9, 2012
THE national Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) team left it till late to win 1-0 against the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) in a friendly match last night at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
It was an evenly contested match from the start with both teams getting several chances on goal throughout the first half.
The HBT team enjoyed more ball possession despite their size disadvantage, using their pace to outrun their opponents.
MS ABDB came out on the attack in the second half but couldn't find a way to break down the national side's defence.
The HBT team did pick up the slack and had MS ABDB on the backfoot midway through the second half.
They created plenty of chances but failed to find the back of the net with their opponents clearing the ball well.
It was in the 80th minute when they finally broke the deadlock.
Striker Adi Said headed home the winner from a corner kick after he rose above two MS ABDB defenders to seal the match.
National football coach Kwon Oh-son felt that the game could have gone either way but praised his players on the win.
"It was only in the second half that the players stepped up to play a better at both ends. But I thought the players put up a pretty good performance and had good concentration throughout the game," said Kwon in an interview with The Brunei Times after the match.
"The only problem now is our finishing. We will have to continue to work on our attacking because as of now we are only at 85 per cent and we will need to get that 15 per cent just before the tournament (HBT)," he added.
"We have been working on our set pieces and it showed with the goal tonight (Wednesday night). I do believe in the players and they have got very good potential," continued the South Korean.
"It is good to get the win. We played a friendly (against MS ABDB) on Friday and won 3-2. This time our opponents came out prepared and have adjusted really well for the match," added the national coach.
The HBT team have to make use of every sparring opportunity both locally and internationally.
Their only chance on outside competition came at the 4th Borneo Games at Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, where they returned home from the Dec 4-11 biennial event with a silver medal.
They started the Games with a 2-0 win over Sarawak, but lost to eventual champions East Kalimantan 2-1 before bouncing back 2-1 against South Kalimantan to finish in second place.
The country have been handed a favourable draw in the competition for the Under-21 teams in the ASEAN region.
The Sultanate will take on Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and Singapore during the Feb 25-March 9 regional biennial tournament.
Group B is made up of defending champions Thailand, Cambodia, Timor Leste and Vietnam.
The top-two countries from each group will advance to the second round (semi-finals), a feat which Brunei has yet to achieve despite hosting it in 2002, 2005 and 2007.
Thailand are the tournament's defending champions after beating Myanmar 5-4 on penalties the last time the event was contested. Thailand beat Indonesia to lift the 2005 edition of the trophy to dethrone the previous titleholders.
The Brunei Times
06 February 2012
Brunei face tough test against Indonesia
Jason Thomas
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, February 6, 2012
BRUNEI'S Feb 29 clash against Indonesia promises to be the toughest test of their Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) campaign.
The National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam yesterday released the fixtures for the Feb 25-March 9 tournament, with Brunei playing all their Group A games at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
Though the Sultanate will kick-off the fourth edition of the biennial competition on Feb 25 with a relatively easy game against Laos, and face Singapore two days later, it is the Feb 29 tie against Indonesia that many will have circled on their calender.
National coach Kwon Oh-son felt Myanmar will be the team to beat in Group A, so the Brunei-Myanmar match on Feb 3 will be just as important if the Sultanate wants to qualify for the second round (semi-finals) for the first time in four attempts.
Myanmar were losing finalists to Thailand the last time the HBT was organised in 2007, so it is understandable why Kwon felt they are a threat.
But unlike Myanmar, Indonesia have already tasted success in Brunei after all, they were the champions of the inaugural HBT in 2002.
One of the region's top dogs, Indonesia were beaten finalists at last year's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Jakarta coming out second best to Malaysia in a thrilling decider which went to penalties.
The SEA Games was an Under-23 event, and the HBT caters to Under-21 players, but that doesn't mean Indonesia are looking down on the tournament.
Andik Vermansyah will be one of the players to watch out for, the attacking midfielder who has drawn interest from Portuguese powerhouses Porto and Benfica one of Indonesia's go-to men at the SEA Games.
Brunei will face the Philippines in their last group stage game of the HBT.
The 2-1 result was Brunei's only win of their SEA Games campaign and the three points put them above the Azkals at the end of group play.
Depending on how the other games pan out, the tie against the Filipinos on March 5 might be just as decisive and could prove the difference between making it to the semi-finals or facing another year of having to watch from the sidelines.
Myanmar face Indonesia on the same day, a game Kwon will be keeping a close eye on.
For the first time ever, the HBT will involve all Asean nations plus guests Timor Leste making for 11 teams and 28 games, which means four of them will have to be played before the Brunei-Laos curtain-raiser to ensure the regional event ends on time.
The cream of the crop is the Feb 24 Group B game between two-time defending champions Thailand and Malaysia, who are themselves two-time SEA Games defending champions.
Other enticing encounters in Group B include the Vietnam-Thailand clash on Feb 28 and Malaysia's match versus Vietnam on March 2.
Malaysia beat Vietnam to claim the 2009 SEA Games title, so another meeting between the two sides although it will be with an entirely different set of players is sure to get hearts pumping.
Apart from the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, the Berakas Sports Complex and Balapan Track & Field at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas will also be used to host matches.
The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, February 6, 2012
BRUNEI'S Feb 29 clash against Indonesia promises to be the toughest test of their Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) campaign.
The National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam yesterday released the fixtures for the Feb 25-March 9 tournament, with Brunei playing all their Group A games at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
Though the Sultanate will kick-off the fourth edition of the biennial competition on Feb 25 with a relatively easy game against Laos, and face Singapore two days later, it is the Feb 29 tie against Indonesia that many will have circled on their calender.
National coach Kwon Oh-son felt Myanmar will be the team to beat in Group A, so the Brunei-Myanmar match on Feb 3 will be just as important if the Sultanate wants to qualify for the second round (semi-finals) for the first time in four attempts.
Myanmar were losing finalists to Thailand the last time the HBT was organised in 2007, so it is understandable why Kwon felt they are a threat.
But unlike Myanmar, Indonesia have already tasted success in Brunei after all, they were the champions of the inaugural HBT in 2002.
One of the region's top dogs, Indonesia were beaten finalists at last year's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Jakarta coming out second best to Malaysia in a thrilling decider which went to penalties.
The SEA Games was an Under-23 event, and the HBT caters to Under-21 players, but that doesn't mean Indonesia are looking down on the tournament.
Andik Vermansyah will be one of the players to watch out for, the attacking midfielder who has drawn interest from Portuguese powerhouses Porto and Benfica one of Indonesia's go-to men at the SEA Games.
Brunei will face the Philippines in their last group stage game of the HBT.
The 2-1 result was Brunei's only win of their SEA Games campaign and the three points put them above the Azkals at the end of group play.
Depending on how the other games pan out, the tie against the Filipinos on March 5 might be just as decisive and could prove the difference between making it to the semi-finals or facing another year of having to watch from the sidelines.
Myanmar face Indonesia on the same day, a game Kwon will be keeping a close eye on.
For the first time ever, the HBT will involve all Asean nations plus guests Timor Leste making for 11 teams and 28 games, which means four of them will have to be played before the Brunei-Laos curtain-raiser to ensure the regional event ends on time.
The cream of the crop is the Feb 24 Group B game between two-time defending champions Thailand and Malaysia, who are themselves two-time SEA Games defending champions.
Other enticing encounters in Group B include the Vietnam-Thailand clash on Feb 28 and Malaysia's match versus Vietnam on March 2.
Malaysia beat Vietnam to claim the 2009 SEA Games title, so another meeting between the two sides although it will be with an entirely different set of players is sure to get hearts pumping.
Apart from the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, the Berakas Sports Complex and Balapan Track & Field at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas will also be used to host matches.
The Brunei Times
Tampines send out early warning to DPMM FC
Jason Thomas
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, February 6, 2012
SINGAPORE League (S-League) titleholders Tampines Rovers sent out an early warning ahead of this season's start when they beat Home United 2-0 to win the 2012 Great Eastern Charity Shield last night.
The traditional curtain raiser to the S-League which kicks off on Thursday saw the Stags (Tampines' nickname) in dominant form at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore, a worrying sign for DPMM FC who face Tampines in their first match on Sunday.
DPMM FC coach Vjeran Simunic (pictured) was at the game to take notes ahead of Sunday's game at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas, describing the match as a "must-watch".
"I heard they have a new line-up and formation so its necessary for me to see them," he told The Brunei Times last week. "Then I will have a more clear understanding of their strengths."
According to ESPN, Home United who are the RHB Singapore Cup champions were second best all night long, with goals either side of half-time from Croatian Davor Piskor and Macedonian Gligor Gligorov enough for Tampines to take home the first piece of silverware.
After a neat one-two between Ahmed Fahmie and Jamil Ali, the former's shot from close range was parried by Nazri Sabri.
Amid the chaos, the predatory Piskor headed in Jamil's headed cross from close range.
With strikers Frederic Mendy and Shotara Ihata promising much but delivering little, Home simply could not find a way through an impressive Tampines defence, a backline which was superbly marshaled by captain and Singapore international Mustafic Fahrudin.
Jamil was to play a key part in the second goal as well.
His run and cross on the hour mark found an unmarked Gligorov who smashed the ball home, giving Tampines a deserved 2-0 lead.
DPMM FC's first meeting with the Stags on 3 April 2009 ended in a 1-1 draw at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore while the second on 10 July 2009 saw the hosts record a 2-1 win at the same venue. The third, which was their last game before they were forced to pull out of the S-League with just four games left in their debut season, was a 2-2 draw at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas on 29 Sept 2009.
Brunei's only professional club will start the league playing three of their first four games at home.
They face powerhouses Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) FC in their second game on Feb 19 and meet Albirex Niigata on March 11.
The tie against SAF at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium in Singapore will be a considered one of their toughest assignments. After all, SAF are the most successful club in the 16-year history of the S-League after having claimed the title a record eight times.
The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, February 6, 2012
SINGAPORE League (S-League) titleholders Tampines Rovers sent out an early warning ahead of this season's start when they beat Home United 2-0 to win the 2012 Great Eastern Charity Shield last night.
The traditional curtain raiser to the S-League which kicks off on Thursday saw the Stags (Tampines' nickname) in dominant form at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore, a worrying sign for DPMM FC who face Tampines in their first match on Sunday.
DPMM FC coach Vjeran Simunic (pictured) was at the game to take notes ahead of Sunday's game at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas, describing the match as a "must-watch".
"I heard they have a new line-up and formation so its necessary for me to see them," he told The Brunei Times last week. "Then I will have a more clear understanding of their strengths."
According to ESPN, Home United who are the RHB Singapore Cup champions were second best all night long, with goals either side of half-time from Croatian Davor Piskor and Macedonian Gligor Gligorov enough for Tampines to take home the first piece of silverware.
After a neat one-two between Ahmed Fahmie and Jamil Ali, the former's shot from close range was parried by Nazri Sabri.
Amid the chaos, the predatory Piskor headed in Jamil's headed cross from close range.
With strikers Frederic Mendy and Shotara Ihata promising much but delivering little, Home simply could not find a way through an impressive Tampines defence, a backline which was superbly marshaled by captain and Singapore international Mustafic Fahrudin.
Jamil was to play a key part in the second goal as well.
His run and cross on the hour mark found an unmarked Gligorov who smashed the ball home, giving Tampines a deserved 2-0 lead.
DPMM FC's first meeting with the Stags on 3 April 2009 ended in a 1-1 draw at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore while the second on 10 July 2009 saw the hosts record a 2-1 win at the same venue. The third, which was their last game before they were forced to pull out of the S-League with just four games left in their debut season, was a 2-2 draw at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas on 29 Sept 2009.
Brunei's only professional club will start the league playing three of their first four games at home.
They face powerhouses Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) FC in their second game on Feb 19 and meet Albirex Niigata on March 11.
The tie against SAF at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium in Singapore will be a considered one of their toughest assignments. After all, SAF are the most successful club in the 16-year history of the S-League after having claimed the title a record eight times.
The Brunei Times
05 February 2012
8 DPMM FC players fail fitness test
Jason Thomas
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Sunday, February 5, 2012
AS IF going up against titleholders Tampines Rovers FC in their Singapore League (S-League) opener next Sunday isn't enough of a problem, DPMM FC's head coach now has another thing to worry about.
The S-League's mandatory beep test, a gauge of cardiovascular fitness, has seen eight of the team's 25 players fail to make the grade when it was carried out on Friday.
The multistage fitness test requires the players to run between 20m spaced cones, with their speed increasing in accordance to increasing beeps.
The test was conducted on DPMM FC players for the first time since it was not mandatory when the club made its debut in the S-League during the 2009 season.
Without a passing mark, which the S-League set at 13.1, the players will not be able to play a veritable headache for Vjeran Simunic especially since it looks like he will be without two key defenders.
"My main concerns are left-back Yusof Mohd Salleh and right-back Shahrulrizal Hj Abd Rahman - though Shahrulrizal was down with a fever," said Simunic yesterday.
"That means I will only have centre-back Tales Ricarte dos Santos as a defender.
"But I'm satisfied with how many of my players passed. They have not played competitive football for more than two years and except for Jerkovic (midfielder Ivan Jerkovic), it was all their first time. Even in Europe, Asia, Africa ... They don't have this test.
"The S-League officials were also pleasantly surprised with how many players passed. Some S-League players take three, four, five times to pass," added the Croatian.
A big reason Jerkovic passed the test was because he used to play for Singapore Armed Forces FC.
Not all hope is lost for the defensive duo since another test has been penned in for Friday.
The full list of eight players included defender Suhaime Md Yussof, Ampuan Mohd Nurul Azami Ampuan Hussin, midfielders Abang Norsilmy Abang Hj Taha, Mohd Hanafizal Helman Hanafiah and striker Md Zulremi Hj Zaini. Brazilian striker Rodrigo Gral was also among the eight but he is still recovering from injury, as is Abang Norsilmy.
Despite this, fitness was not a problem when DPMM FC went up against Thai Premier League side Chiangrai United FC and beat them 2-1 in a charity match last month.
Though that point was brought up in the interview, the veteran coach felt there was more involved to the tests than just running.
"Even the last time we did it (during training) Yusof and Shahrulrizal did not make it.
"Maybe it is a mental thing.
"I hope they will pass (on Friday). If not, it will be a problem for DPMM FC."
The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Sunday, February 5, 2012
AS IF going up against titleholders Tampines Rovers FC in their Singapore League (S-League) opener next Sunday isn't enough of a problem, DPMM FC's head coach now has another thing to worry about.
The S-League's mandatory beep test, a gauge of cardiovascular fitness, has seen eight of the team's 25 players fail to make the grade when it was carried out on Friday.
The multistage fitness test requires the players to run between 20m spaced cones, with their speed increasing in accordance to increasing beeps.
The test was conducted on DPMM FC players for the first time since it was not mandatory when the club made its debut in the S-League during the 2009 season.
Without a passing mark, which the S-League set at 13.1, the players will not be able to play a veritable headache for Vjeran Simunic especially since it looks like he will be without two key defenders.
"My main concerns are left-back Yusof Mohd Salleh and right-back Shahrulrizal Hj Abd Rahman - though Shahrulrizal was down with a fever," said Simunic yesterday.
"That means I will only have centre-back Tales Ricarte dos Santos as a defender.
"But I'm satisfied with how many of my players passed. They have not played competitive football for more than two years and except for Jerkovic (midfielder Ivan Jerkovic), it was all their first time. Even in Europe, Asia, Africa ... They don't have this test.
"The S-League officials were also pleasantly surprised with how many players passed. Some S-League players take three, four, five times to pass," added the Croatian.
A big reason Jerkovic passed the test was because he used to play for Singapore Armed Forces FC.
Not all hope is lost for the defensive duo since another test has been penned in for Friday.
The full list of eight players included defender Suhaime Md Yussof, Ampuan Mohd Nurul Azami Ampuan Hussin, midfielders Abang Norsilmy Abang Hj Taha, Mohd Hanafizal Helman Hanafiah and striker Md Zulremi Hj Zaini. Brazilian striker Rodrigo Gral was also among the eight but he is still recovering from injury, as is Abang Norsilmy.
Despite this, fitness was not a problem when DPMM FC went up against Thai Premier League side Chiangrai United FC and beat them 2-1 in a charity match last month.
Though that point was brought up in the interview, the veteran coach felt there was more involved to the tests than just running.
"Even the last time we did it (during training) Yusof and Shahrulrizal did not make it.
"Maybe it is a mental thing.
"I hope they will pass (on Friday). If not, it will be a problem for DPMM FC."
The Brunei Times
An air of optimism for Brunei's HBT squad
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Sunday, February 5, 2012
BRUNEI have every reason to be optimistic ahead of their Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) curtain-raiser against Laos on Feb 25.
November's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Jakarta marked the country's return to competitive football after more than two years, and though they didn't qualify for the semi-finals of the Under-23 event, they came up with stirring performances none more so than the 2-2 draw with Laos.
Despite down to 10-men in the 15th minute when defender Reduan Hj Petara was shown a straight red, Brunei would leave the Lebak Bulus Stadium with a share of the spoils after striker Adi Said netted a brace.
Showing spirit, spunk and skill, Brunei came back from 1-0 down to head into the break on even grounds. Adi would give Brunei the lead but tired legs meant Brunei would let in a heart-wrenching equaliser 10 minutes from time.
Nevertheless, the country can take a lot of positives from the tie, especially since a certain few players will know what to expect.
Adi and Reduan will be joined by midfielders Mohd Hendra Azam Mohd Idris, Mohd Najib Hj Tarif and defender Md Azri Zahari as the five overage players for Brunei during the HBT the quintet also lacing up for the Sultanate in the Indonesian capital.
Reduan scored the winner against the Philippines while Mohd Najib scored the only goal in Brunei's 2-1 loss to Timor Leste in the opener - a statistic that means all the country's five goals in Jakarta came from the three players.
The fourth edition of the biennial tournament, Brunei will also go up against Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore and the Philippines who they also met at the SEA Games.
The Brunei-Philippines tie is one Brunei can look forward to since it was the only team they managed to beat during the SEA Games.
Though the 2-1 result helped them finish above the Azkals - courtesy of goals from Adi and Reduan the win only helped gloss over memories of their 2-1 loss to Timor Leste, a 4-0 defeat to Myanmar and an 8-0 mauling at the hands of Vietnam.
Singapore are by no means pushovers but Indonesia and Myanmar are the teams will give national coach Kwon Oh-son the most to worry about.
Brunei came up with a lacklustre performance against Myanmar during the SEA Games, a display that wasn't helped by defender Muhammad Arif Ali Rahman being sent to the showers in the 67th minute.
It was their second straight game they were forced to play with 10-men, the loss coming after the draw with Laos.
Captain at the SEA Games, Azwan Muhd Salleh also missed the match against Myanmar as did Reduan.
Discipline was a problem for Brunei at the SEA Games since they also finished with 10-men against Vietnam when striker Hamizan Aziz Sulaiman was shown his second yellow 10 minutes from time.
As hosts, the Sultanate will have to lead by example and display sportsmanship and discipline at all times finishing three out of five games with 10-men is simply inexcusable and Kwon must ingrain the importance of keeping a cool head at all times.
Brunei has not advanced past the group stage and into the semi-finals of its own tournament the past three times it was contested, so it's no surprise Kwon feels the team shouldn't be taking any game for granted if they are to stand a chance at breaking their duck.
"They are all important games," he said during Friday's draw.
"From the beginning ... We will look at them all as finals.
"Myanmar were runners-up the last time and they will be the ones to watch out for," opined the South Korean.
Kwon was given a big boost during the draw when it was revealed that Brunei will have a relatively easier route to the next round.
Group B sees defending champions Thailand going up against SEA Games titleholders Malaysia, Cambodia, Timor Leste and Vietnam.
Thailand beat Myanmar 5-4 on penalties the last time the HBT was contested in 2007. They also saw off Indonesia to lift the 2005 edition of the trophy. Indonesia were the inaugural champions after defeating Malaysia in the 2002 final.-Jason Thomas
The Brunei Times
Sunday, February 5, 2012
BRUNEI have every reason to be optimistic ahead of their Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) curtain-raiser against Laos on Feb 25.
November's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Jakarta marked the country's return to competitive football after more than two years, and though they didn't qualify for the semi-finals of the Under-23 event, they came up with stirring performances none more so than the 2-2 draw with Laos.
Despite down to 10-men in the 15th minute when defender Reduan Hj Petara was shown a straight red, Brunei would leave the Lebak Bulus Stadium with a share of the spoils after striker Adi Said netted a brace.
Showing spirit, spunk and skill, Brunei came back from 1-0 down to head into the break on even grounds. Adi would give Brunei the lead but tired legs meant Brunei would let in a heart-wrenching equaliser 10 minutes from time.
Nevertheless, the country can take a lot of positives from the tie, especially since a certain few players will know what to expect.
Adi and Reduan will be joined by midfielders Mohd Hendra Azam Mohd Idris, Mohd Najib Hj Tarif and defender Md Azri Zahari as the five overage players for Brunei during the HBT the quintet also lacing up for the Sultanate in the Indonesian capital.
Reduan scored the winner against the Philippines while Mohd Najib scored the only goal in Brunei's 2-1 loss to Timor Leste in the opener - a statistic that means all the country's five goals in Jakarta came from the three players.
The fourth edition of the biennial tournament, Brunei will also go up against Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore and the Philippines who they also met at the SEA Games.
The Brunei-Philippines tie is one Brunei can look forward to since it was the only team they managed to beat during the SEA Games.
Though the 2-1 result helped them finish above the Azkals - courtesy of goals from Adi and Reduan the win only helped gloss over memories of their 2-1 loss to Timor Leste, a 4-0 defeat to Myanmar and an 8-0 mauling at the hands of Vietnam.
Singapore are by no means pushovers but Indonesia and Myanmar are the teams will give national coach Kwon Oh-son the most to worry about.
Brunei came up with a lacklustre performance against Myanmar during the SEA Games, a display that wasn't helped by defender Muhammad Arif Ali Rahman being sent to the showers in the 67th minute.
It was their second straight game they were forced to play with 10-men, the loss coming after the draw with Laos.
Captain at the SEA Games, Azwan Muhd Salleh also missed the match against Myanmar as did Reduan.
Discipline was a problem for Brunei at the SEA Games since they also finished with 10-men against Vietnam when striker Hamizan Aziz Sulaiman was shown his second yellow 10 minutes from time.
As hosts, the Sultanate will have to lead by example and display sportsmanship and discipline at all times finishing three out of five games with 10-men is simply inexcusable and Kwon must ingrain the importance of keeping a cool head at all times.
Brunei has not advanced past the group stage and into the semi-finals of its own tournament the past three times it was contested, so it's no surprise Kwon feels the team shouldn't be taking any game for granted if they are to stand a chance at breaking their duck.
"They are all important games," he said during Friday's draw.
"From the beginning ... We will look at them all as finals.
"Myanmar were runners-up the last time and they will be the ones to watch out for," opined the South Korean.
Kwon was given a big boost during the draw when it was revealed that Brunei will have a relatively easier route to the next round.
Group B sees defending champions Thailand going up against SEA Games titleholders Malaysia, Cambodia, Timor Leste and Vietnam.
Thailand beat Myanmar 5-4 on penalties the last time the HBT was contested in 2007. They also saw off Indonesia to lift the 2005 edition of the trophy. Indonesia were the inaugural champions after defeating Malaysia in the 2002 final.-Jason Thomas
The Brunei Times
04 February 2012
Brunei get favourable draw for HBT
Jason Thomas
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Saturday, February 4, 2012
THERE is no doubt Brunei has an easier passage to the semi-finals of the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT).
The Sultanate has not progressed to the semi-finals of its own tournament the past three times it was contested, but looking at yesterday's draw, the signs look promising.
The country will take on Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and Singapore during the Feb 25-March 9 regional biennial tournament, with Group B seeing defending champions Thailand going up against Cambodia, Malaysia, Timor Leste and Vietnam.
His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, honorary president of the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD), and YAM Pg Muda Abdul 'Aleem graced the draw at the Royal Berkshire Hall, Polo Club in Jerudong.
Representatives from the 11 participating countries were present at the draw in a strong show of support for the event which for the first time, will include all Asean member nations plus guests Timor Leste.
Though Timor Leste did not send an official, they were represented by Kifli Hj Jaafar, the head of the Department of Youth and Sports' Sports Coaching and Development Unit.
In alphabetical order, representatives from each country were invited to stage to select the balls which indicated the group and number.
The top-two countries from each group advance to the second round (semi-finals), a feat which Brunei has yet to achieve despite hosting it in 2002, 2005 and 2007.
Being hosts, Brunei could pick which group they wanted to be drawn in and team manager Hj Feisal Hj Eusoff chose wisely making the decision when Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar and Singapore were drawn in Group A.
By this time Group B only had Cambodia and Malaysia so Hj Feisal's timing couldn't have been better.
Speaking to The Brunei Times after the draw, national coach Kwon Oh-son was pleased with the cards handed to him.
"I'm happy with it," said the South Korean.
"And yes, I'm sure we can qualify for the next round," he said emphatically in response to whether 2012 would be Brunei's lucky year.
"Myanmar and Indonesia will be the teams to beat in our group. Group B will probably be Vietnam and Thailand," he added.
Sitting seats away from Hj Feisal during the draw, Kwon didn't play any part in the manager's decision to pick the group.
He said he didn't need to.
"There was no discussion (about which group to pick)," said the coach.
"The coaching staff and management ... We are all of the same mind. We work together in harmony," he added.
For the first time ever, tournament rules allow each team to bring five overage players though only three can be fielded in each match.
Striker Adi Said, midfielders Mohd Hendra Azam Mohd Idris and Mohd Najib Hj Tarif and defenders Md Azri Zahari and Reduan Hj Petara have been chosen as the five players for Brunei.
Brunei have been training with 22 players but only 18 will be in the final squad.
Midfielders Ak Anaqi Sufi Pg Hj Omar Baki, Md Ruddy Hazwan Kamaruddin, striker Abd Al-Wardi Abd Hamid and goalkeeper Ron Junior Philip were named as the four extra players though they still can make it into the squad in case other players suffer injuries, poor form, discipline and other unforseen circumstances.
Thailand are the tournament's defending champions after beating Myanmar 5-4 on penalties the last time the event was contested in 2007. Thailand beat Indonesia to lift the 2005 edition of the trophy to dethrone the previous titleholders.
The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Saturday, February 4, 2012
THERE is no doubt Brunei has an easier passage to the semi-finals of the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT).
The Sultanate has not progressed to the semi-finals of its own tournament the past three times it was contested, but looking at yesterday's draw, the signs look promising.
The country will take on Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and Singapore during the Feb 25-March 9 regional biennial tournament, with Group B seeing defending champions Thailand going up against Cambodia, Malaysia, Timor Leste and Vietnam.
His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, honorary president of the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD), and YAM Pg Muda Abdul 'Aleem graced the draw at the Royal Berkshire Hall, Polo Club in Jerudong.
Representatives from the 11 participating countries were present at the draw in a strong show of support for the event which for the first time, will include all Asean member nations plus guests Timor Leste.
Though Timor Leste did not send an official, they were represented by Kifli Hj Jaafar, the head of the Department of Youth and Sports' Sports Coaching and Development Unit.
In alphabetical order, representatives from each country were invited to stage to select the balls which indicated the group and number.
The top-two countries from each group advance to the second round (semi-finals), a feat which Brunei has yet to achieve despite hosting it in 2002, 2005 and 2007.
Being hosts, Brunei could pick which group they wanted to be drawn in and team manager Hj Feisal Hj Eusoff chose wisely making the decision when Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar and Singapore were drawn in Group A.
By this time Group B only had Cambodia and Malaysia so Hj Feisal's timing couldn't have been better.
Speaking to The Brunei Times after the draw, national coach Kwon Oh-son was pleased with the cards handed to him.
"I'm happy with it," said the South Korean.
"And yes, I'm sure we can qualify for the next round," he said emphatically in response to whether 2012 would be Brunei's lucky year.
"Myanmar and Indonesia will be the teams to beat in our group. Group B will probably be Vietnam and Thailand," he added.
Sitting seats away from Hj Feisal during the draw, Kwon didn't play any part in the manager's decision to pick the group.
He said he didn't need to.
"There was no discussion (about which group to pick)," said the coach.
"The coaching staff and management ... We are all of the same mind. We work together in harmony," he added.
For the first time ever, tournament rules allow each team to bring five overage players though only three can be fielded in each match.
Striker Adi Said, midfielders Mohd Hendra Azam Mohd Idris and Mohd Najib Hj Tarif and defenders Md Azri Zahari and Reduan Hj Petara have been chosen as the five players for Brunei.
Brunei have been training with 22 players but only 18 will be in the final squad.
Midfielders Ak Anaqi Sufi Pg Hj Omar Baki, Md Ruddy Hazwan Kamaruddin, striker Abd Al-Wardi Abd Hamid and goalkeeper Ron Junior Philip were named as the four extra players though they still can make it into the squad in case other players suffer injuries, poor form, discipline and other unforseen circumstances.
Thailand are the tournament's defending champions after beating Myanmar 5-4 on penalties the last time the event was contested in 2007. Thailand beat Indonesia to lift the 2005 edition of the trophy to dethrone the previous titleholders.
The Brunei Times
HBT squad: Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia are teams to watch
Ak Fauzi Salleh
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Saturday, February 4, 2012
BRUNEI'S Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) players were optimistic upon realisation that the Sultanate has been drawn into Group A of the biennial competition yesterday.
The country is in the same group as Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and Singapore while Group B will pit defending champions Thailand against Cambodia, Malaysia, Timor Leste and Vietnam.
"It is a good draw,"midfielder Mohd Najib Hj Tarif told The Brunei Times after the draw yesterday.
"We played Philippines and Laos before, we won against Philippines and drew with Laos but both Indonesia and Myanmar are very good teams," he said.
Twenty-one-year-old Ak Anaqi Sufi Omar Baki, who also laces up for AM Gunners, however said that he would be keeping a keen eye on the Malaysian squad.
"Having won the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in November last year, we expect them to be at least in the semi-final in this tournament" he said.
Right back Md Azri Zahari and goalkeeper Md Fakhrul Zulhazmi Yussof who played together in the team that won silver in last December's Borneo Games in East Kalimantan, Indonesia both agreed that two-time HBT champions Thailand are still the team to beat in the tournament.
"Vietnam play very good football, they are very fast but Thailand is stronger and more experienced," said Azri Zahari whose credentials include representing Brunei in the Asian School Football Championship.
Twenty-two players were shorlisted for the squad on Wednesday but national coach Kwon Oh-son will be looking to trim the team down to just 18 players, in line with HBT rules and regulations.
Midfielders Ak Anaqi Sufi Pg Hj Omar Baki, Md Ruddy Hazwan Kamaruddin, striker Abd Al-Wardi Abd Hamid and goalkeeper Ron Junior Philip were named the four extra players but they will have plenty of chances to prove their worth and force their way into the team.
"I still train with the rest of the team. We were told that we will still be given a chance to make it to the last eighteen, so we just going to continue training I guess," said 18-year-old Md Ruddy.This year's edition of the tournament will allow each team to bring five overage players though only three can be fielded each match.
Striker Adi Said, midfielders Mohd Hendra Azam Mohd Idris and Mohd Najib and defenders Md Azri Zahari and Reduan Hj Petara have been chosen as the five players.
"I was surprised, we just got back from Jakarta, Adi, Reduan, Hendra and me were called to come to training with the HBT team," said Mohd Najib, who assured the team is training hard in preparation for the tournament.
"There are only a few weeks left before the tournament and we have been training at 3pm almost everyday now," said the 24-year-old captain.
The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Saturday, February 4, 2012
BRUNEI'S Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) players were optimistic upon realisation that the Sultanate has been drawn into Group A of the biennial competition yesterday.
The country is in the same group as Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and Singapore while Group B will pit defending champions Thailand against Cambodia, Malaysia, Timor Leste and Vietnam.
"It is a good draw,"midfielder Mohd Najib Hj Tarif told The Brunei Times after the draw yesterday.
"We played Philippines and Laos before, we won against Philippines and drew with Laos but both Indonesia and Myanmar are very good teams," he said.
Twenty-one-year-old Ak Anaqi Sufi Omar Baki, who also laces up for AM Gunners, however said that he would be keeping a keen eye on the Malaysian squad.
"Having won the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in November last year, we expect them to be at least in the semi-final in this tournament" he said.
Right back Md Azri Zahari and goalkeeper Md Fakhrul Zulhazmi Yussof who played together in the team that won silver in last December's Borneo Games in East Kalimantan, Indonesia both agreed that two-time HBT champions Thailand are still the team to beat in the tournament.
"Vietnam play very good football, they are very fast but Thailand is stronger and more experienced," said Azri Zahari whose credentials include representing Brunei in the Asian School Football Championship.
Twenty-two players were shorlisted for the squad on Wednesday but national coach Kwon Oh-son will be looking to trim the team down to just 18 players, in line with HBT rules and regulations.
Midfielders Ak Anaqi Sufi Pg Hj Omar Baki, Md Ruddy Hazwan Kamaruddin, striker Abd Al-Wardi Abd Hamid and goalkeeper Ron Junior Philip were named the four extra players but they will have plenty of chances to prove their worth and force their way into the team.
"I still train with the rest of the team. We were told that we will still be given a chance to make it to the last eighteen, so we just going to continue training I guess," said 18-year-old Md Ruddy.This year's edition of the tournament will allow each team to bring five overage players though only three can be fielded each match.
Striker Adi Said, midfielders Mohd Hendra Azam Mohd Idris and Mohd Najib and defenders Md Azri Zahari and Reduan Hj Petara have been chosen as the five players.
"I was surprised, we just got back from Jakarta, Adi, Reduan, Hendra and me were called to come to training with the HBT team," said Mohd Najib, who assured the team is training hard in preparation for the tournament.
"There are only a few weeks left before the tournament and we have been training at 3pm almost everyday now," said the 24-year-old captain.
The Brunei Times
DPMM FC welcome ten sponsors
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Saturday, February 4, 2012
DPMM FC received a welcome boost ahead of their Singapore League (S-League) campaign when 10 local companies signed on as sponsors last night.
Present to witness the ceremony at the Pelangi Hall of Riverview Hotel was the club's vice-chairman YAM Pg Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pg Anak Haji Abdul Rahim Pg Indera Mahkota Pg Anak (Dr) Kemaludin Al-Haj.
The sponsors weren't the only ones who put pen to paper last night, with the club's 21 local players all signing their contracts for the 2012 season as well.
Representing DPMM FC during the player signings were club manager Pg Waslimin PSJ Pg Hj Abd Momin and team manager Ali Hj Momin. Marketing manager Hj Momin Hj Md Ja'afar joined Pg Waslimin for the company signings. Several local companies also contributed an undisclosed amount.
Brunei's only professional club, DPMM FC start their S-League campaign with a tantalising tie against titleholders Tampines Rovers FC at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas next Sunday.
The Brunei Times
Saturday, February 4, 2012
DPMM FC received a welcome boost ahead of their Singapore League (S-League) campaign when 10 local companies signed on as sponsors last night.
Present to witness the ceremony at the Pelangi Hall of Riverview Hotel was the club's vice-chairman YAM Pg Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pg Anak Haji Abdul Rahim Pg Indera Mahkota Pg Anak (Dr) Kemaludin Al-Haj.
The sponsors weren't the only ones who put pen to paper last night, with the club's 21 local players all signing their contracts for the 2012 season as well.
Representing DPMM FC during the player signings were club manager Pg Waslimin PSJ Pg Hj Abd Momin and team manager Ali Hj Momin. Marketing manager Hj Momin Hj Md Ja'afar joined Pg Waslimin for the company signings. Several local companies also contributed an undisclosed amount.
Brunei's only professional club, DPMM FC start their S-League campaign with a tantalising tie against titleholders Tampines Rovers FC at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas next Sunday.
The Brunei Times
03 February 2012
DPMM FC begin S-League quest at home next Sunday
Jason Thomas
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Friday, February 3, 2012
IT'S OFFICIAL - DPMM FC will take on defending champions Tampines Rovers in their 2012 Singapore League (S-League) opener next Sunday.
The game will be played at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas the scene of DPMM FC's last S-League match.
Coincidentally, the 2-2 draw on 29 Sept 2009 was the club's final S-League match because of FIFA's now lifted suspension on the country.
Though the enticing match against the titleholders was announced during last Thursday's S-League season launch at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, it was only yesterday that DPMM FC officials revealed the full league fixtures and venues.
Taking one look at it, Brunei's only professional club don't have it easy though they will be aided by the fact they play three of their first four games at home.
They face powerhouses Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) FC in their next game on Feb 19 and meet Albirex Niigata (Singapore) on March 11.
The tie against SAF at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium in Singapore will be a considered one of their toughest assignments. After all, SAF are the most successful club in the 16-year history of the S-League after having claimed the title a record eight times.
Finishing second for four seasons, the army men have only placed outside the top-two three years a statistic that will not sit well with opposing teams.
With two appearances in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League and three in the Asian Club Championships, most coaches know they write off SAF at their own peril.
More importantly, the DPMM FC faithful will also remember that it was against SAF that DPMM FC won the Singapore League Cup in 2009, making them the first foreign side to do so.
DPMM FC's fourth game will see them take on Geylang United FC at home while their fifth is an interesting tie against Harimau Muda (Malaysia's Under-23 national team) at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.
The Malaysians are the other new side in this year's league so the historic first-ever clash between the two sides will definitely be one for the ages.
Despite having what might be termed as a tough start to their S-League return, one positive is the club will start their campaign at home, where a win in front of a healthy crowd starving for S-League football will put them on the right track for a targeted top-five finish.
The side play seven more games before the end of the first round.
The S-League is played in a triple round-robin format, where each team faces the other three times and the champion crowned upon completion of the third round.
DPMM FC's first meeting with Tampines on 3 April 2009 ended in a 1-1 draw at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore while the second on 10 July 2009 saw the hosts record a 2-1 win at the same venue. The third, which was their last game before they were forced to pull out of the S-League with just four games left in their debut season, was a 2-2 draw at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas on 29 Sept 2009.
Tampines face Home United on Sunday's Charity Shield match a game which DPMM FC coach Vjeran Simunic said will be an important scouting mission.
Tampines beat Home United to the 2011 S-League title by a single point and will have a chance to send out an early sign if they pip the reigning RHB Singapore Cup champions in the season's S-League curtain-raiser.
The Brunei Times
.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Friday, February 3, 2012
IT'S OFFICIAL - DPMM FC will take on defending champions Tampines Rovers in their 2012 Singapore League (S-League) opener next Sunday.
The game will be played at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas the scene of DPMM FC's last S-League match.
Coincidentally, the 2-2 draw on 29 Sept 2009 was the club's final S-League match because of FIFA's now lifted suspension on the country.
Though the enticing match against the titleholders was announced during last Thursday's S-League season launch at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, it was only yesterday that DPMM FC officials revealed the full league fixtures and venues.
Taking one look at it, Brunei's only professional club don't have it easy though they will be aided by the fact they play three of their first four games at home.
They face powerhouses Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) FC in their next game on Feb 19 and meet Albirex Niigata (Singapore) on March 11.
The tie against SAF at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium in Singapore will be a considered one of their toughest assignments. After all, SAF are the most successful club in the 16-year history of the S-League after having claimed the title a record eight times.
Finishing second for four seasons, the army men have only placed outside the top-two three years a statistic that will not sit well with opposing teams.
With two appearances in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League and three in the Asian Club Championships, most coaches know they write off SAF at their own peril.
More importantly, the DPMM FC faithful will also remember that it was against SAF that DPMM FC won the Singapore League Cup in 2009, making them the first foreign side to do so.
DPMM FC's fourth game will see them take on Geylang United FC at home while their fifth is an interesting tie against Harimau Muda (Malaysia's Under-23 national team) at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.
The Malaysians are the other new side in this year's league so the historic first-ever clash between the two sides will definitely be one for the ages.
Despite having what might be termed as a tough start to their S-League return, one positive is the club will start their campaign at home, where a win in front of a healthy crowd starving for S-League football will put them on the right track for a targeted top-five finish.
The side play seven more games before the end of the first round.
The S-League is played in a triple round-robin format, where each team faces the other three times and the champion crowned upon completion of the third round.
DPMM FC's first meeting with Tampines on 3 April 2009 ended in a 1-1 draw at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore while the second on 10 July 2009 saw the hosts record a 2-1 win at the same venue. The third, which was their last game before they were forced to pull out of the S-League with just four games left in their debut season, was a 2-2 draw at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas on 29 Sept 2009.
Tampines face Home United on Sunday's Charity Shield match a game which DPMM FC coach Vjeran Simunic said will be an important scouting mission.
Tampines beat Home United to the 2011 S-League title by a single point and will have a chance to send out an early sign if they pip the reigning RHB Singapore Cup champions in the season's S-League curtain-raiser.
The Brunei Times
.
02 February 2012
Brunei shortlists 22-man HBT squad
Jason Thomas
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Thursday, February 2, 2012
THERE is still time for a group of four players to force their way into the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) team.
Though the 18-man team for the Feb 25-March 9 biennial tournament, which Brunei will host was officially unveiled yesterday, coaches will still be training with 22 players.
Midfielders Ak Anaqi Sufi Pg Hj Omar Baki, Md Ruddy Hazwan Kamaruddin, striker Abd Al-Wardi Abd Hamid and goalkeeper Ron Junior Philip were named as the four extra players though they are by no means seen as surplus to requirement.
"We have been training since last August and it is only now that we have come up with the list of 18 players," said team manager Hj Feisal Hj Eusoff yesterday.
"It is not impossible that these four players can make it into the squad in case of injuries, dip in form, discipline and other unforeseen circumstances.
"So I would like to remind the four that they still have a chance (at making the team)," he stressed during the unveiling at the Lecture Room of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
It is understood that the final 18-man list will be submitted during the manager's meeting just before the HBT.
With all Asean countries plus guests Timor Leste having confirmed their participation, the fourth edition of the HBT is shaping up to be the biggest yet.
For the first time ever, tournament rules allow each team to bring five overage players though only three can be fielded each match.
Striker Adi Said, midfielders Mohd Hendra Azam Mohd Idris and Mohd Najib Hj Tarif and defenders Md Azri Zahari and Reduan Hj Petara have been chosen as the five players.
All of them saw action for the Sultanate at last November's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Jakarta, where three of them got on the scoresheet.
Proving his rising worth to Brunei on the football pitch, Adi bagged three of the country's five goals at the Games. He was the team's saviour in their 2-2 draw with Laos, scoring both goals in a match they were forced to play with 10-men for 75 minutes after Reduan was sent to an early shower.
The former Majra FC hitman netted the first goal in the 2-1 win against the Philippines, which was Brunei's only victory at the Games.
Reduan scored the winner against the Philippines while Mohd Najib scored the only goal in Brunei's 2-1 loss to Timor Leste in the opener.
Sixteen of the players in the 22-man list represented the country at last December's Borneo Games, where the team returned with silver.
The national team have prepared for the HBT with friendlies against DPMM FC, Thai Premier League side Chiangrai United FC, Sabah and a host of local sides, but Hj Feisal believes Brunei have not enjoyed the same lengthy preparation as other countries.
"In terms of preparation and training, the players and team are not at the same level as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar," pointed out the manager.
"From what I have been informed, those countries have been training for years and have had many friendlies both local and international," he added.
Despite this being the fourth time Brunei hosting the event, the Sultanate has yet to progress past the group stage into the semi-final. And with the tournament draw set for tomorrow, the manager was coy when asked what teams he wanted to avoid or what target he has set.
"Of course, who doesn't want to win? ... Especially playing at home," asked Hj Feisal.
"We will do all that we can to go as far as possible. I can't promise anything but from what I've seen, they (the team) can play.
"Whatever teams we are with, I am sure we can face it," he insisted.
National coach Kwon Oh-son's was just as eager to side-step any tricky questions.
"Key players? Our midfielders are our key players - all of them," he grinned.
"We have learnt three things from our friendlies; the importance of physical play, set pieces and organisation in both defence and attack," added the South Korean.
He will have the next three weeks to learn more about the side, by which time the country will expect a team capable of earning a spot in the semi-finals of their own tournament.The Brunei Times Search
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Thursday, February 2, 2012
THERE is still time for a group of four players to force their way into the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) team.
Though the 18-man team for the Feb 25-March 9 biennial tournament, which Brunei will host was officially unveiled yesterday, coaches will still be training with 22 players.
Midfielders Ak Anaqi Sufi Pg Hj Omar Baki, Md Ruddy Hazwan Kamaruddin, striker Abd Al-Wardi Abd Hamid and goalkeeper Ron Junior Philip were named as the four extra players though they are by no means seen as surplus to requirement.
"We have been training since last August and it is only now that we have come up with the list of 18 players," said team manager Hj Feisal Hj Eusoff yesterday.
"It is not impossible that these four players can make it into the squad in case of injuries, dip in form, discipline and other unforeseen circumstances.
"So I would like to remind the four that they still have a chance (at making the team)," he stressed during the unveiling at the Lecture Room of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
It is understood that the final 18-man list will be submitted during the manager's meeting just before the HBT.
With all Asean countries plus guests Timor Leste having confirmed their participation, the fourth edition of the HBT is shaping up to be the biggest yet.
For the first time ever, tournament rules allow each team to bring five overage players though only three can be fielded each match.
Striker Adi Said, midfielders Mohd Hendra Azam Mohd Idris and Mohd Najib Hj Tarif and defenders Md Azri Zahari and Reduan Hj Petara have been chosen as the five players.
All of them saw action for the Sultanate at last November's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Jakarta, where three of them got on the scoresheet.
Proving his rising worth to Brunei on the football pitch, Adi bagged three of the country's five goals at the Games. He was the team's saviour in their 2-2 draw with Laos, scoring both goals in a match they were forced to play with 10-men for 75 minutes after Reduan was sent to an early shower.
The former Majra FC hitman netted the first goal in the 2-1 win against the Philippines, which was Brunei's only victory at the Games.
Reduan scored the winner against the Philippines while Mohd Najib scored the only goal in Brunei's 2-1 loss to Timor Leste in the opener.
Sixteen of the players in the 22-man list represented the country at last December's Borneo Games, where the team returned with silver.
The national team have prepared for the HBT with friendlies against DPMM FC, Thai Premier League side Chiangrai United FC, Sabah and a host of local sides, but Hj Feisal believes Brunei have not enjoyed the same lengthy preparation as other countries.
"In terms of preparation and training, the players and team are not at the same level as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar," pointed out the manager.
"From what I have been informed, those countries have been training for years and have had many friendlies both local and international," he added.
Despite this being the fourth time Brunei hosting the event, the Sultanate has yet to progress past the group stage into the semi-final. And with the tournament draw set for tomorrow, the manager was coy when asked what teams he wanted to avoid or what target he has set.
"Of course, who doesn't want to win? ... Especially playing at home," asked Hj Feisal.
"We will do all that we can to go as far as possible. I can't promise anything but from what I've seen, they (the team) can play.
"Whatever teams we are with, I am sure we can face it," he insisted.
National coach Kwon Oh-son's was just as eager to side-step any tricky questions.
"Key players? Our midfielders are our key players - all of them," he grinned.
"We have learnt three things from our friendlies; the importance of physical play, set pieces and organisation in both defence and attack," added the South Korean.
He will have the next three weeks to learn more about the side, by which time the country will expect a team capable of earning a spot in the semi-finals of their own tournament.The Brunei Times Search
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