HRH: I expected Laos win

Jason Thomas

Naypyidaw

Saturday, December 21, 2013

HIS Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah yesterday said he was expecting Brunei to beat Laos in their final football game of the 27th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
The national Under-23 side headed into Tuesday's final Group A game against Laos bottom of their group without a point or goal to their name, and despite breaking their jinx and netting twice, it still wasn't enough to prevent a 3-2 loss.
“We were supposed to win the Laos game but it was the same thing, we lacked concentration and focus — and there wasn't enough teamwork,” said HRH Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, the president of the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam.
“Personally, they played better against Malaysia. That was their best game.
“I thought we could have won it but we were nervous and lacked concentration and focus,” added HRH, who is also the president of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council.
The national team started their campaign poorly with a 7-0 loss to Vietnam but surprised many with a gritty display in their next game, a 2-0 defeat to two-time champions Malaysia — who struggled to find a way past Brunei's on-form goalkeeper Ak Omar Aqamuddin Pg Sallehuddin.
Even Malaysia's coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee seemed impressed with Brunei's performance, telling the media in the post-match press conference that “the boys are not happy with the scoreline”.
However, a 2-0 loss to Singapore in their next game ended Brunei's hopes of a place in the last-four, with the 3-2 result against Laos ensuring they would end the 10-team competition as the only side to finish without a point.
HRH Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah was talking to The Brunei Times after watching another strong performance by a national side yesterday.

Fail to prepare, then prepare to fail

Jason Thomas

Bandar Seri Begawan

Thursday, December 19, 2013

KWON Oh-Son believes his men's lack of understanding on the pitch led to their lackluster showing at the 2013 SEA Games, the coach even calling the team “confused” and saying they “lacked confidence”.
The national Under-23 football team lost all four of their Group A games at the 27th edition of the tournament, only getting on the scoresheet in their last match, a 3-2 defeat to Laos on Tuesday.
Needless to say, they finished at the bottom of their table and end as the only side in the 10-team competition not to have picked up a point – they came up with four from a win and a draw in their five games at the 2011 edition in Indonesia.
Captained by DPMM FC Adi Said, who scored both the goals against Laos, Brunei played most of this year's marquee SEA Games event on the back foot - no surprise since the striker and midfielder Azwan Ali Rahman were the only two professional footballers in the team.
All other teams have the luxury of having players who play professionally week in, week out.
Add in the fact that Kwon said the team only started centralised training on Nov 7, just a month before their Nov 8 opener against Vietnam which ended 7-0, and it's easy to see why the coach has blamed their lack of cohesiveness for their poor results.
This lack of cohesiveness, combined with the gap in ability compared to the other countries in their group – both games against two-time defending champions Malaysia and Singapore ended 2-0 – was a sure-fire recipe for disaster.
“You could see that Laos were very sharp and prepared. They understand one another - we don’t have that,” said Kwon after the loss to Laos.
“In football (you) need months of training and many international games (to gain) experience. Attacking tactics, defensive tactics, one month is not enough for all that.
“We had many opportunities to score in our four matches but it all depends on scoring ability. Our ability was not the same (as the other teams).
“If you can't control passes, how do you want to do (passing) combinations?
“A few bad passes, not good control, the opponents counter-attack and players are confused.
“We've practised combinations and other tactics during training but during the game they lacked confidence,” said the straight-forward South Korean.
His comments, though seemingly harsh, should serve as a wake up call.
It isn’t as if the South Korean doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
After all, this is the same man who led the country to glory in another regional age-group meet last year, the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy, after beating Indonesia 2-0 in the final.
Six of the 11 who started against Laos were members of the Under-21 team which won the HBT, while 10 of the 20 names in the team list laced up last March.
And it’s not that Kwon can’t deliver at international tournaments overseas either.
Kwon took charge of the nation’s football team at another tournament in Myanmar, where the Sultanate’s display was nowhere near the one on show this month.
Guiding the senior team at the 2012 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup qualifiers in Yangon last October, the team managed a credible six points from two wins and two losses – missing out on qualification by one point.
The Wasps kicked off with 1-0 loss to hosts Myanmar, beat Cambodia 3-2 and went down 3-1 to Laos before defeating Timor Leste 2-1 in their final match - more proof, if needed, that Kwon can produce the goods if given the right material.
While ASEAN football’s focus shifts to tonight’s crucial SEA Games semi-finals, for Brunei, there is nothing more important than a proper post-mortem for players and officials alike.
The HBT win was hailed as a new beginning for Brunei football, but it seems like everything is back to square one.

The Brunei Times

More big names to land in Brunei

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

bandar seri begawan

Sunday, December 15, 2013

DPMM FC’s search for a marquee signing for the upcoming Singapore League (S-League) continues with several big names expected to arrive in the country for trials.
According to the club’s official website, former Borussia Dortmund forward Euzebiusz Smolarek will be given the opportunity for a try-out with the club while ex-Sampdoria striker Ikechukwu Kalu is currently in the Sultanate, according to a source from inside the club.
32-year-old Smolarek played for Dutch Eredivisie side Feyenoord (2000-2005), Spanish La Liga’s Racing Santander (2007-2009) and English Premier League’s Bolton Wanderers (2008-2009).
The Poland international was the top scorer in the UEFA Euro 2008 Group A qualifying campaign, scoring nine goals to beat Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo (eight goals).
Meanwhile, Nigerian international Kalu, who was signed by Sampdoria in 2002, capped only two-times for his country and failed to score any goals.
The club last week announced that defender Boric Raspudic from Bosnia, midfielders Roberto Alviz from Croatia and Joe Gamble from Ireland will be lacing up for the club next season, with their manager Ali Hj Momin saying that the contract signings will follow soon for the three players.
Brazilian Rodrigo Tosi will also be given a contract extension.
The DPMM FC manager, in a recent interview with The Brunei Times, has made no secret of their intention of acquiring the club’s marquee signing this season.
“Boric Raspudic, Roberto Alviz and Joe Gamble have impressed the club during the two-week trial, and now there is one spot left for marquee signing and I hope that we will be able to seal all the deals before the season (S-League) starts,” said the manager.
DPMM FC were linked with a move for the former Arsenal and Everton striker Francis Jeffers previously but the club made it clear that there has been no deal made between the club and the player’s representative.
Raspudic, Alviz and Gamble arrived in the Sultanate on Nov 24 and were joined in trials by Daniel Orozco Alvarez, Daryll Roberts, Jeffers, Guillaume Moullec, Laryea Kingston, Mathias Abel, Osas Ikpefua, and Shavar Thomas.
Steve Kean, the former manager of Blackburn Rovers. will be leading the Sultanate’s only professional club this season, following the departure of Croatian Vjeran Simunic.
DPMM FC finished runners-up in 2012 in their best season in the S-League, winning the League Cup for a second time.
They only managed an eighth-place finish in this year’s edition of the competition.

The Brunei Times

Lions make wasteful Brunei pay

Jason Thomas

Naypyidaw

Saturday, December 14, 2013

BRUNEI have been made to pay dearly for their inability to score here at the SEA Games, last night's 2-0 loss to Singapore ending any slim hopes they had of a place in the semi-final.
Singapore now top the group with seven points from three games and look certain to go through, though Brunei's fate was already decided before kick-off when defending champions Malaysia beat Laos 4-1 in the day's earlier game after a Ahmad Hazwan Bakri hat-trick gave them their second win in as many games.
Vietnam are third and Laos fourth in the group, with Brunei propping the table.
Brunei's third loss of the tournament means they are firmly out of the running to progress to the last-four, and even if they had beaten Singapore, their poor goal differential — at 11, it is the worst in the competition — means their campaign is destined to end at the group stage.
They haven't scored a single goal in three games, and when asked about whether the team has specific drills for shooting and finishing, Brunei's coach wasn't able to provide a proper answer. “The players' ability....,” Kwon Oh-son trailed off during the post-match press conference.
Adi Said, especially from set-pieces, Azwan Ali Rahman and Mohd Mazazi Mazlan were all guilty of missing chances last night, and there is no way this team deserves a place in the last-four if their players can't even test the goalkeeper in a one-one-one situation, of which there have been several in the 7-0 loss to Vietnam and 2-0 defeat to Malaysia.
Brunei's reliance on DPMM FC duo Adi and Azwan cannot be over emphasised, but there is only so much the duo can do – especially with the team passing the ball the way they are.
Adi lacked support from his teammates on the attack while Azwan, who is playing through an injured hip, has not delivered on the passing game he is known for.
The country's defence and inability to clear their lines and play out from the back means the team has been under pressure for most of the tournament, especially with them playing such a high line.
Brunei's goalkeeper Ak Omar Aqamuddin Pg Sallehuddin has been his team's saviour during numerous occasions throughout the competition at the Zeyar Thiri Football Stadium, coming up with two point-blank saves late in last night's game to prevent the Singaporeans from adding gloss on the scoreline.
Brunei eventually ended the match with 10-men after Mohammad Kahiri Shame Suhami was shown a straight red off for an off-the-ball challenge just before the hour-mark, and it was all over after that.
Singapore captain Hariss Harun volleyed home the opener in the 35th minute after connecting on a poor clearance at the edge of the box but Azwan was poised to equalise five minutes later when Singapore gifted him possession.
He could have easily dribbled the ball into the box but took a hasty shot that was wide off the mark.
It was nearly 2-0 five minutes after the restart when Muhammad Fariz Ramli hit the crossbar but Singapore got the breather they deserved seconds later when Adi lost the ball and the team was pressing high up the pitch.
Singapore goalkeeper Muhammad Izwan Mahbud passed the ball to Muhammad Zulfahmi Mohd Arifin, who hit a long ball over the top to Sahil Suhaimi – who scored his third goal of the tournament after beating two markers and firing past Ak Omar.
Despite not beating Brunei by a larger margin, Singapore's coach Aide Iskandar was satisfied with the result.
“It wasn't a problem for me playing against 10-men and not scoring more... What's important is the three points,” he said.
“Brunei defending the way they did made it hard for us to play.
“They sat back and were compact and we'll have to work on a way to convert chances in the future,” he added.
Brunei close their campaign against Laos on Tuesday, where converting chances will be the name of the game.
The Brunei Times

Vietnam crush Brunei

Jason Thomas

Naypyidaw

Monday, December 9, 2013

VIETNAM reopened some old wounds yesterday, breezing past Brunei 7-0 in their SEA Games football competition opener and reliving memories of the 8-0 thrashing they dealt the last time the two teams met.
Be it Jakarta in 2011 or Naypyidaw in 2013, some things remain the same.
Vietnam, semi-finalists every year since 2003 and finalists three times — but silver medalists in each occasion — once again proved a mountain too high to climb for Brunei in the Under-23 meet.
National coach Kwon Oh-son talked about the gulf in ability at least three times in his interview with The Brunei Times after the disappointing result at the imposing Zeyar Thiri Football Stadium, and it was easy to see why.
Technically better and tactically superior, Vietnam switched play with ease, spread the ball with precision and carved open space on the flanks at the flick of a switch.
Crosses into the box that weren't dealt with were punished mercilessly — the first three goals all came from defensive errors inside the box — and when they weren't busy tormenting Brunei's back four, their smooth one-two passes and well practiced off-the-ball running meant that there was only going to be one winner on the day.
“Before the game I told the team to focus on (defensive) cover play and organisation — it didn't work,” said Kwon.
“Vietnam's level and Brunei's level... It's different,” he said, not needing to explain any further.
Last night's other match saw Singapore held to a 1-1 draw against a Laos side playing with 10 men for nearly the whole game after skipper Khampoumy Hanevilay was sent off after two minutes.
While Vietnam now top Group A with a win their coach Hoang Van Phuc has called “inspiring”, Brunei face an uphill struggle to progress past the group stage.
More worrying is the fact they haven't scored in their last four games.
Brunei went down 5-0 to Thai Premier League side Chiangrai United FC in the last of their three friendly games against Thai sides last month, previously going down 2-0 to the same side and 2-0 to the Thai national Under-23 team – who are second behind hosts Myanmar in Group B.
Brunei's inability to find the back of the net wasn't due to a lack of trying though, and to their credit, they never stopped pressing their opponents deep inside their own half and did well to harry goalkeeper Tran Buu Ngoc when the ball was played back to him.
They ran the whole 90 minutes, put in some strong challenges — which were perhaps lucky not to be punished by Myanmarese referee Win Cho — and were persistently hungry to win the ball.
It was their final touch, a lack of finesse even, that separated the two sides.
Though Brunei did look threatening on the right flank, Vietnam's defence made sure no dangerous crosses would reach the box.
And the few chances Brunei had to put in an incisive through ball down the middle was met by either a heavy foot or a loose pass — though Mohd Mazazizi Mazlan really should have done better when he was one-on-one with Buu Ngoc in the 52nd minute. His shot lacking the sting needed to trouble the keeper.
On the other end of the field, Ak Omar Aqamuddin Pg Sallehuddin did a superb job between the sticks in place of Md Fakhrul Zulhazmi Yussof — who is not in Myanmar after fracturing his finger during the Thai training stint.
Ak Omar produced several point blank saves, and if not for his quick reflexes, the scoreline would have been more than 3-0 at the break.
Vietnam made it 4-0 when Le Van Thang volleyed home a cross from the left in the 53rd minute, and Vietnam's players started to take their foot off the gas after the fourth goal and were slow to clear the ball from the back, which Brunei looked like taking advantage of several times.
But the problem with pushing too many players up the pitch is that a team is vulnerable to counter-attacks, and a perfect example of that came in the 65th minute when Brunei lost the ball while attacking.
It was expertly played to space in the left flank, with the ensuing cross — and the botched clearance that came after it — leading to Tran Manh Dung picking up the ball and unleashing for 5-0.
It was 6-0 three minutes later when Mac Hong Quan received a quick pass, turned the ball past his markers and scored from inside the box.
Tran Phi Son found more gaps on the left in the 82nd minute and deftly cut past three players to score from outside the box to complete the scoring.
Though Ak Omar probably could have saved the dipping shot, there was nothing the goalkeeper — or the rest of his teammates — could have done to save themselves from such a rampant Vietnam side.
Defending champions Malaysia are next tomorrow, and a positive result will go a long way in erasing some painful memories.
The Brunei Times

Brunei squad ready, come rain or shine

Jason Thomas

bandar seri begawan

Saturday, December 7, 2013

THE national football team’s ability to handle the weather at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Naypyidaw, where the temperature ranges from 25-33 degrees, will be a factor in their campaign.
Brunei start their tournament against Vietnam at the Zeyar Thiri Stadium tomorrow before a titanic clash against defending champions and neigbours Malaysia on Tuesday.
They face Singapore next Friday and Laos on Dec 17, and after months of hard work and training, national coach Kwon Oh-son is sure they can deal with the differing conditions at the Under-23 tournament.
The country’s chef de mission and deputy chef de mission to the SEA Games, Hj Muhd Zamri Dato Paduka Hj Hamdani and Pg Mohd Amirrizal Pg Hj Mahmud, paid a visit to the team’s training at the Lalwee Stadium on Thursday and spent some time hearing Kwon talk to his players – where the issue cropped up.
“The coach stressed the importance of playing as a team, playing under pressure and not think about the varying temperatures and adjusting accordingly,” noted Thursday’s daily report from the Department of Youth and Sports.
The report also stated that the players, who were in Thailand for three friendly games before arriving in Myanmar, have no serious injuries and only require light treatment and massages.
Brunei will be looking to advance from the group stage after failing to do so in the previous edition of SEA Games in Indonesia in 2011 – where they came up with one win, one draw and three losses in what was team’s return to the competition after 10 years.
The country started their campaign with a 2-1 loss to Timor Leste before drawing 2-2 with Laos. They then fell 4-0 to Myanmar and 8-0 to Vietnam before beating the Philippines – who are not competing this year - 2-1 in their final match.

The Brunei Times

DPMM Fc - New signings

DPMM FC Import players season 2014:
 
1/Boris Raspudic(Bosnia)
2/Roberto Alviz(Croatia)
3/Joe Gamble(Ireland)
4/Rodrigo Tosi(Brazil)
5/ ???????????????

DPMM FC website

DPMM FC: No deal for Jeffers

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

DPMM FC yesterday denied rumours that they have signed Francis Jeffers, the former Arsenal and Everton striker who is currently on trial with the country’s only professional club.
Speaking to The Brunei Times yesterday, DPMM FC team manager Ali Hj Momin said that there have been talks between the club and the player’s representative but there are no new developments.
“There were talks between the club and his agent, but that’s about it, there is no deal yet,” he said.
“He is still recovering from injury so it is a bit difficult to decide now.
“But we’ve still got time before the S-League (Singapore League) starts in February and we will keep the fans updated with new developments in the club,” he added.
The manager responded following rumours that former English international has closed a deal with DPMM FC.
Should Jeffers join DPMM FC, he will be Steve Kean’s first signing for the club since the coach put pen to paper last Wednesday.
“Jeffers looked sharp and I like that, but he pulled a muscle in his leg,” said Kean after overseeing his first training session right after he signed.
According to the club’s official website, Jeffers arrived in the Sultanate on Nov 24 and is joined in trials by Daniel Orozco Alvarez, Daryll Roberts, Guillaume Moullec, Joseph Gamble, Laryea Kingston, Mathias Abel, Roberto Alviz, Osas Ikpefua, Oris Raspudic and Shavar Thomas.
The Brunei Times

SEA GAMES 2013: Thai Lessons for Brunei

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (29 Nov 2013) –The Brunei national Under-23 team suffered some hard lessons in their current tour of Thailand where other than conceding losses in their first two friendlies, they also suffered a handful of injuries.

Other than the broken finger on goalkeeper Md Fakhrul Zulhazmi Yussof who he has since returned home, Brunei also had strikers Md Shafie Hj Md Effendy and Zulkhairy Hady Razali, midfielders Md Aqmal Hakeem Abd Hamid, Ak Yura Indera Putera Pg Yunos, Md Asri Hj Aspar and Mohammad Mazazizi Mazlan and left back Abd Mu’iz Sisa on the crock list.

“The injuries are not serious, mostly tight muscles,” said team manager Feisal Eusoff. “It was a physical game and we went up against a side that have players from Spain, Holland and Australia.”

 The team had conceded a 2-0 loss to the Thai national Under-23 team in their first friendly before losing their second friendly to Chiangrai United by the same score line.

Brunei will take on the same Chiangrai United side in their third and final tomorrow.

For the SEA Games, the Sultanate side are in Group A based in Naypyitaw where they will be up against Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and Laos.

aseanfootball.org

Steve Kean signs for DPMM Fc !

Breaking news: 
 
1/Steve Kean to sign contract on Wednesday, 27th November.
2/DPMM FC releases veteran defender Pg Sallehuddin Damit. 
3/DPMM defender, Tales Ricarte dos Santos signs for Phuket FC of Thailand Premier League. 
 
 
Players coming for tryouts:
 
arrive 24th November
1/Francis Jeffers(England)-arrived
2/Guillaume Moullec(France)-arrived
3/Osas Ikpefua(Nigeria)-arrived
4/Joseph Gamble(Ireland)-arrived
arrive 25th November
1/Mathias Abel(Germany)
2/Daniel Orozco Alvarez(Spain)
3/Laryea Kingston(Ghana)
4/Shavar Thomas(Jamaica) 
5/Roberto Alviz(Croatia) 
6/Boris Raspudic(Bosnia) 
arrive 27th November
1/Daryll Roberts(Trinidad & Tobago)


Dpmm FC website

Shaihh Salman calls for more partification from Brunei

Brunei: AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa praised the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) for their efforts in developing the game in the country.
On his first official visit to Brunei, the AFC President, who was received by NFABD President His Royal Highness Prince Sufri Bolkiah and the NFABD Executive Committee, assured AFC’s full support in their efforts to develop the game in the country.
He asked the NFABD to actively take part in AFC competitions and also host them in order to professionalise the match organisation in Brunei.
The AFC President proposed NFABD to discuss the roadmap for development with the AFC administration saying the country got tremendous potential and should be explored professionally.
He said he was happy with the progress of football in Brunei and was pleased with the report of 2014 activities outlined by the NFABD.
Shaikh Salman also told that he would try and get help from FIFA’s Goal Project to the country and would like to see commitment from Brunei towards the development of the game.
He said AFC is willing to support NFABD in technical, refereeing, league management, coaching and any other assistance required by the MA.

He asked them to take advantage of AFC’s development programme ‘Kick Off’ saying this programme really suits the needs of Brunei.
He also briefed the NFABD members on his vision to revamp competitions and their format


afc.com

Brunei handed favourable draw at SEA Games

Jason Thomas

bandar seri begawan

Thursday, November 7, 2013

BRUNEI has been handed a relatively easier group at next month’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games football competition in Myanmar.
The sultanate has been drawn with two-time defending champions Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and Laos in Group A of the Under-23 competition which will run from December 1-22.
Hosts Myanmar will join Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia and Timor Leste in Group B.
Brunei open their campaign against Laos on Dec 6 and face Malaysia two days later. They will then meet Singapore on Dec 10 and Vietnam on Dec 12.
Group A action will take place in Naypyidaw while Group B games will play out in Yangon.
Despite Brunei enjoying the luck of the draw, they still face an uphill struggle to qualify for the semi-finals – especially considering their poor showing in Jakarta two years ago.
Making its return to the competition after 10 years, Brunei failed to progress past the group stage at the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia after managing one win, one draw and three losses.
Brunei started their campaign with a 2-1 loss to Timor Leste before drawing 2-2 with Laos.
They then fell 4-0 to Myanmar and 8-0 to Vietnam before recording their sole win in their last match against the Philippines 2-1.
Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia are the favourites to qualify for the last-four, but Ong Kim Swee knows that he can’t take the other teams for granted.
“The draw is balanced but we cannot deny the fact that Singapore and Vietnam will be the main challengers. We also can’t underestimate Laos, Brunei and the Philippines,” said Malaysia’s coach on Twitter.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports' national selection and evaluation committee, in September, approved the nomination of 63 athletes from 10 sports to the regional meet.
Wushu, karatedo and pencak silat squads are once again expected to head the list of medal hopefuls.
Athletics, billiards & snooker, cycling, sepak takraw, petanque and taekwondo complete the list.
Brunei was the only country not to finish with a gold medal in Indonesia, returning instead with four silver and 11 bronze medals

The Brunei Times

No fairytale ending for outgoing Simunic

Jason Thomas

bandar seri begawan

Thursday, November 7, 2013

VJERAN Simunic (pic) admitted his last game in charge of DPMM FC has left him with a bad taste in his mouth – as 90th minute equalisers in season enders are apt to do.
DPMM FC closed out their third Singapore League season with a 2-2 draw against Geylang International FC last night, the result settled when a scramble in the box saw Geylang’s Stefan Milojevic send in a shot that went into goal after hitting Tales Ricarte dos Santos’ leg – capping off a period of sustained pressure from the hosts.
Geylang, who have now picked up their first points off DPMM FC in seven attempts, had goalkeeper Takuma Ito to thank for his heroics in the last S-League game of the season as the Japanese helped his team keep out two attempts each from Shahrazen Said and Azwan Ali Rahman in a 10-minute span in the second-half that should have earned the hosts all three points.

“This was my last game and it’s a very, very bitter way to go out,” said Simunic, who sat alone on a bench as the rain started pouring down at an emptying Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
“Football has shown its cruel face. Sometimes it is beautiful, sometimes it is cruel.
“I think even the Geylang players feel sorry for us.
“I really pity our players and supporters because this was the last game (and) they didn’t deserve to end the season like this,” he noted.
Most of the DPMM FC players rushed off to the tunnel after the result, perhaps frustrated with how the game had ended and the fact that the nearly 30,000 capacity stadium saw a poor turnout in the club’s season finale.
Santos lingered a while longer, but after approaching Simunic to apologise for his part in the goal, was quickly waved off – and rightly so.
“I can’t blame him for the goal,” he said after the last-minute goal-mouth melee.
“In football if you don’t score, you will be punished. We had chances to make it 3-1 when it was 2-1… 3-0 and 4-0 when it was 2-0.
“We were under pressure to win this game and I was sure we could.
“I guess the players are still not experienced enough to hold out for a result. They play to enjoy football, not for the result.
“Ito was great, man of the match! He had some fantastic saves,” he said when asked about the Geylang goalkeeper.
His own first-choice glovesman Wardun Yussof was suspended, as was veteran defender Pg Sallehuddin Pg Hj Damit – an effective organiser and communicator on the pitch – and last night’s match was the first time Simunic started a tie without the duo.
“It would have been different if they played. Absolutely!,” said the Croatian.
“But we’ve lost a lot of players and made a new team this season so I think it (eighth) is a good result.
“I can’t blame any of my players – they all did their best,” he added.
For V Kanan, there was no denying that last night’s result is one the Geylang coach won’t soon forget.
And like Simunic, he was quick to praise Ito for producing the goods when it mattered the most.
“I think Ito played extremely well and pulled off some impossible saves,” said Kanan.
“We played very well in the second half... DPMM FC had their chances but we defended well.
“Many of the players are leaving the club next season and I’m proud of them for not pulling any punches and going all out.”

The Brunei Times

DPMM FC face Warriors tonight

Jason Thomas

bandar seri begawan

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

VJERAN Simunic is not letting rumours of his replacement with ex-Blackburn Rovers FC manager Steve Kean get in the way of his job – or his 100th game for the club in Singapore.
The DPMM FC bench boss can look forward to the milestone when the club takes on Warriors FC in the Singapore League tonight, with the visitors in search for their fourth win in as many games.
The last time the team lost in the S-League was to Warriors, a 3-1 defeat in August, and tonight’s battle at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium in Singapore promises to be an enticing one between the two top teams in Tier 2 of the 12-team table, seventh placed DPMM FC and eighth placed Warriors.
Only two points separate the duo and the Warriors have a two-one win-loss advantage over DPMM FC over the course of this season.
However, the lead-up to tonight’s match has centered around the arrival of Kean, who it is understood will take over mid-November from the reigning S-League Coach of the Year.
The Croatian, though, is only focused on the task at hand.
“I’m a professional… If I think about these kind of things, I’ll never get a good result,” he said.
“Me, my players and the staff are focused on making the best possible result in this difficult moment for us. We are united until the end for this.
“I am only focused on the players and for them to continue their good form.
“I prefer not to think about anything except the game.
“The boys are playing really good and I think their current performances show there is a good connection between the coach and players,” added the former Bahrain national coach.
The connection of which he speaks of is one that has been forged over years of trust and travel, with Simunic first leading his team out in March 2008 when they were still in the Malaysian Super League and dropping a job in Vietnam to return to his “boys” as soon as he heard news that DPMM FC could return to the S-League after FIFA lifted its nearly two-year suspension on the Sultanate in 2011.
The FIFA suspension on the country in 2009 forced DPMM FC to abandon their inaugural S-League season despite having just five games to play, but the 2009 season was also largely remembered for the capture of the Singapore League Cup, a first by any foreign side.
They repeated the feat last year to become the most successful team in the competition’s history, and though they were unable to make it title number three after falling 4-0 to Balestier Khalsa FC in last month’s championship decider, they have gone on a run of three straight S-League wins since.
The journeyed coach has kept a careful count of all the games he has been involved in but insists that tonight’s milestone will not be worth remembering if they don’t beat Warriors.
“I have had more than 500 games in my career in Croatia, Bosnia, Bahrain, Vietnam and with DPMM FC in Malaysia. So maybe 150 games in Brunei,” said Simunic, who was also in charge of the Sultanate for the 2008 Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup qualifiers.
“But for DPMM FC, playing in Singapore, this will be my 100th game. That’s 77 S-League games, 15 League Cup games, and seven Singapore Cup games.
“It is a nice achievement but I don’t really care too much about that – what I care about is that we play well and win. This is not a time for celebration – only a time for us to focus on the game,” he added.
His counterpart Alex Weaver saw his team fall to their first loss in six matches when Geylang International beat them 3-0 in their last game on Friday.
Though the hosts can depend on prolific striker Mislav Karoglan for the goals, and midfielder Tatsuro Inui for his on-field nous, they will be hampered by the loss of suspended striker Sufian Anuar and defender Daniel Bennett.

The Brunei Times

National futsal team finish tourney without a win

Syarif Rasani

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

THE national futsal team ended their ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Miracle of Life Futsal Championship campaign with their fourth straight loss yesterday.
They were defeated 4-2 by Vietnam, who were last year’s runners-up, at the Bangkok Thonburi University in Thailand.
The national team sit at the bottom of the Group B after losing 5-3 to Philippines, 8-4 to Malaysia and 8-1 to Thailand.
Although Brunei lost to Philippines, they still managed to put on a better show compared to the Philippines, who lost 20-1 to Thailand and 10-1 to Vietnam.
Defending champions Thailand defeated Malaysia 2-0 in yesterday’s other match.
Vietnam and Thailand will face off against one another for the top spot on the table at 7pm today.
In Group A, Indonesia kept with their dominance going after thrashing Laos 12-0.
Australia finished off Myanmar 4-0 and remain at the top of Group A by three goal difference over Indonesia.
The two dominating teams will meet today to decide who will be the group winners at 1pm today.
Timor Leste will face Myanmar at 10am inGroup A and Philippines will play Malaysia at 4pm in Group B.

The Brunei Times

DPMM FC brace for future without Simunic

Jason Thomas

bandar seri begawan

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

DPMM FC have lofty targets in their next two Singapore League seasons, but it looks like they’ll be aiming to win the “treble” without Vjeran Simunic.
The most successful team in the Singapore League Cup, two-time winners DPMM FC extended their contact with the Football Association of Singapore to lace up for the 2014 and 2015 S-League seasons after signing a Participation Agreement Renewal at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore yesterday.
Leading the DPMM FC delegation at the signing ceremony was club vice-chairman YAM Pg Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pg Anak Haji Abdul Rahim Pg Indera Mahkota Pengiran Anak (Dr) Kemaludin Al-Haj, who was accompanied by club manager Pg Hj Muhd Waslimin PSJ Pg Hj Abd Momin and club executive committee member Hj Momin Hj Md Ja’afar.
“We like to play in Singapore because the standard of the players is good and the league allows for five imports – if we play in Malaysia we can only have two,” explained Pg Hj Muhd Waslimin at a press conference.
Asked about the team’s target next season, Pg Hj Muhd Waslimin replied they wanted to win the treble – which is probably why they are bringing in ex-Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean to replace Simunic, the reigning S-League Coach of the Year who has been with the club since March 2008 when they were still playing in the Malaysian Super League.
When prompted by the media as to why the club wanted Kean, Pg Hj Muhd Waslimin agreed to the suggestions put forward that they wanted to change their style of play and they have always wanted to field the best possible side.
DPMM FC, whose inaugural S-League season in 2009 was cut short due to FIFA’s suspension on the country, came back with a point to prove in 2012 – when they won the Singapore League Cup and lost out on the S-League crown to Tampines Rovers FC by one point.
The results haven’t exactly been going their way this year though - they currently lie seventh in the S-League and lost out on the Singapore League Cup after a 4-0 defeat to Balestier Khalsa FC last month.
They have also yet to make a mark in the Singapore Cup, a competition in which they have failed to progress to the semi-finals (third round) in three attempt.
But perhaps the most important piece of news that was made public during the press conference, of which The Brunei Times received a audio recording, was that the club want to win the treble – which makes it easy to see why they have said Kean will be arriving in the Sultanate mid-November and that Brazilian playmaker Rodrigo Tosi will be the only import the club will retain come the close season next month.
The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) said it welcomed the continued involvement of the club in the S-League and that the away games at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium created a better atmosphere at S-League games.
“DPMM FC are one of the best organised and managed clubs in South East Asia, and it augurs well for the S-League that the club renews its participation in the league,” said FAS in press release.
“The participation of DPMM FC in the S-League has boosted the competitiveness of S-League and made the league more interesting and exciting.
“Each season, DPMM FC puts together a very strong side with key signings of top players from around the world and they gather the best local players from Brunei as well.
“Our clubs always cherish the away matches by making the trip to Brunei to play in the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in front of thousands of fans,” it added.
FAS president Zainudin Nordin was also looking forward to another two years of successful partnership with the club.
“The participation of DPMM FC in the S-League is another good reflection of the close relationship between Singapore and Brunei,” noted Zainudin.
“Both nations have strong links in many areas and we are delighted that one of these key areas is through football.
“The signing of the Participation Agreement Renewal with DPMM FC goes a long way in fostering and strengthening the bilateral ties between the two nations; as well as bolstering the relationships between the two FAs,” added the president.

The Brunei Times

DPMM FC talking to Kean

SERI BEGAWAN

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

DPMM FC have confirmed that they are in talks with ex-Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean (pic) to replace reigning Singapore League Coach of the Year Vjeran Simunic.
According to a report published in Reuters, Kean is in discussions to become coach of Brunei’s only professional club – with club manager Pg Waslimin PSJ Pg Hj Abd Momin admitting as much to Singaporean media.
"We are still in talks and will make an announcement at the end of the season (November),” DPMM FC club manager Pg Waslimin PSJ Pg Hj Abd Momin told Singapore daily The Straits Times.
Neither Pg Waslimin nor team manager Ali Hj Momin replied to calls or text messages from The Brunei Times.
The news of a change of coach is perhaps not surprising taking into account DPMM FC’s poor form this season.
Currently seventh, they failed to build on their strong finish of second last season and lost their Singapore League Cup crown 4-0 to Balestier Khalsa FC in September.
News of the possible move appeared on DPMM FC’s website on Saturday.
If the move works out, Kean – who was deeply unpopular with Ewood Park supporters and routinely faced protests for his managing style in his two years in charge after replacing the popular Sam Allardyce – will have big shoes to fill.
Simunic, who led DPMM FC to the Singapore League Cup in 2012 and 2009, refused to get drawn into speculation about his job.
“No comment. Absolutely no comment,” said Simunic when contacted yesterday.
“I just want to concentrate on the next game,” said the Croat referring to tomorrow’s S-League game against Warriors FC.

The Brunei Times

Steve Kean, new manager of DPMM Fc !

Steve Kean is set to return to football management, just over a year after resigning as manager of Blackburn Rovers. The 48 year old will become manager of Singaporean S-League side Brunei DPMM in 2014, according to the club website and verified by sources of Les Rosbifs associated with S-League.
It is the first time Kean has been back in employment since resigning as manager of Rovers in September 2012, when the club were lying third in the Championship. It marked the end of a tumultuous period for the Scottish coach, who oversaw a remarkable collapse in charge of the Lancashire club, who were in the Premier League when he took over from Sam Allardyce in December 2010.
In recent months there have been rumours that Kean was on the shortlist for the Milwall job (subsequently awarded to Steve Lomas) and Bury, although neither role has come to fruition. According to our sources, Kean flew out to Brunei to sign his contract over this weekend (said to include a generous salary) and will have time to prepare for the role ahead of the start of the new season, which begins in February 2014.
Kean replaces Croatian veteran, Verjan Simunic, who led the club to League Cup success in 2012. 2013 has been a little less spectacular, although DPMM did finish runners-up in the competition again. It will be a difficult job for Kean, as Brunei DPMM have a reputation for being an incredibly difficult club to work at, as the Crown Prince of Brunei and club management have a reputation for controlling most matters. These include player recruitment, leaving the coach to pick up the flak generated if things do not go to plan. One may well consider this to be par for the course as far as Kean and his managerial career to do date goes.
Brunei DPMM have competed in the S-League and the Malaysian Super League over the past ten years taking part as one of the ‘overseas teams’ these leagues allow. After winning the Singapore League Cup in 2009, the club were forced to withdraw from the competition by FIFA, who suspended the Brunei Darussalam FA for governmental interference.

les rosbifs

DPMM FC edge Hougang

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, October 20, 2013

DPMM FC are up to the seventh spot in the Singapore League (S-League) after they edged Hougang United FC 1-0 last night.
In what was their third straight win — which brought their total to 33 points — a goal by Rodrigo Tosi just before the break settled the tie at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
The Brazilian midfielder headed home a Rosmin Hj Kamis corner at the near post four minutes into added time just before the break.
It was the fourth goal for the lone import on the roster in the past three games.
However, DPMM FC head coach Vjeran Simunic felt that it was team effort that got them the triumph.
“It was a sweet 1-0 win. We could have scored more had we closed our chances. Their keeper (Fadhil Salim) was fantastic,” said Simunic after the win.
“It was the whole team and I’m proud of them. We have lost seven players and went down (the table). Now we are at the top,” added the Croatian.
Azwan Ali Rahman had the first chance for the home side but saw his shot saved by Fadhil in the 17th minute.
The game was brought to a standstill for over five minutes after Fadhil was given treatment after picking up an injury from a corner.
Hougang United threatened in the 32nd minute as Liam Shotton saw his attempt deflected to Mamadou Diallo who could only fire it wide.
DPMM FC pushed forward five minutes later after Tosi flicked the ball to Shahrazen Said in the box but the forward’s effort on the turn was off target.
Rosmin should have gotten on the scoresheet on the hour mark but saw his attempt cleared off the line by Faizal Amir.
Striker Adi Said got in on the action immediately after coming on as a substitute for Azwan Ali Rahman in the 79th minute.
Tosi had delivered a good through ball down the middle for Adi just to be denied by Fadhil.
An unmarked Shahrazen should have scored in the 86th minute after a good one-two by Tosi and Adi which allowed the striker to shoot.
Diallo almost equalised for Hougang United in the 90th minute after he struck a good freekick from outside the box but Wardun was on hand to put up the save.
Despite soaking in the pressure, Adi had one final chance to put his name in the scorer’s column as he unleashed a shot inside the box just to see it saved by Fadhil.
Hougang United coach Amin Nasir said they had only themselves to blame after a defensive lapse at the end of the first half.
“We just lost our concentration. Seven minutes is a bit too long but that is no excuse. We needed to keep our focus. We were caught napping and they capitalised on that,” said Amin.
“I was quite pleased with Fadhil’s performance as he kept us in the game. But looking at the backline, we will need to sit down and analyse what went wrong. It is disappointing as we came for a win,” he added.
The competition continues today with Albirex Niigata FC playing Balestier Khalsa FC at the Jurong East Stadium in Singapore.

The Brunei Times

AFF FUTSAL: Philippines Grab Lead in Group B

BANGKOK (19 Oct 2013) – The Philippines took the lead in Group B when they disposed of Brunei 5-3 in the last match of the evening as Vietnam edged Malaysia 2-1 in an earlier tie of the AFF Futsal Championship 2013.

It was as pulsating a match as could be between the Philippines and Brunei with both teams eager to win the points. And while it was Brunei who pushed hard earlier on, it was the Philippines who grabbed the lead through Arnie Pasanibo in the 13^th minute.

The score at the end of the first half was 1-0 to the Philippines.

Pasilan Floriano was quick to double Philippines’s lead just a minute after the restart before Brunei got their scoring act together to score their first goal of the game in the 22^nd minute through Maziri Maidin.

Then it was three quick goals for the Philippines with Pasilan nailing a double (26^th and 36^thminute) and another from Jovanie Simpron (36^th minute.

Brunei staged a late revival through Mohamad Arif Haji Eisa in the 36^th minute as Maziri then completed a brace with a second strike two minutes later.

“We created a lot of chances but it was just too bad that we could not score,” said Brunei coach Mohd Yunos Mohd Yusof.

aseanfootball

DPMM FC continue lessons for Under-23

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

THE national under-23 football team were down once again but showed improvement this time around.
They succumbed to their second defeat in three days at the hands of DPMM FC after losing 3-1 in a friendly at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas yesterday.
The team are busy preparing for the Dec 11-22 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Myanmar in December.
The U-23 side were playing without the services of DPMM FC forward Adi Said and midfielder Azwan Ali Rahman in Myanmar, both of them lacing up for their club instead of the national side yesterday.
Striker Shahrazen Said opened the scoring for DPMM FC after firing from outside the box in the early going.
Brazilian midfielder Rodrigo Tosi doubled their lead from the penalty spot before adding another after shooting from the left to put Brunei's only professional football team up 3-0 at halftime.
The under-23 side picked up the momentum after the break with better defence and they clamped down on their opponents with more than a player each time.
Despite being toothless in attack for much of the match, they were finally getting forward in the second half and threatened at times.
It finally paid off with Md Zulkhairy Hadi Razali going down the middle to score on the hour mark.
DPMM FC could have added more to their tally but under-23 goalkeeper Ak Omar Aqamuddin Pg Sallehuddin was on his toes the rest of the way to deny them.
DPMM FC head coach Vjeran Simunic felt that everyone in the squad did good to get the triumph.
“We had a great first half and managed to score three goals,” said Simunic in an interview with The Brunei Times after the triumph.
“We gave a chance to our second team to play in the second half.
“The team has done a good job during the (Singapore League) break.
“We are just looking to adjust a little and also work on some tactics ahead of our game against Hougang (United FC) on Saturday.
“There are no injury worries as of now, except Azwan (Salleh), who had to be taken off after 15 minutes today.
“Hopefully he'll be alright,” continued the Croatian.
The under-23 side declined to comment after the match.
They are scheduled to take part in a competition in Sabah some time next month as part of their preparations.

The Brunei Times

We are just looking to adjust a little and also work on some tactics ahead of our game against Hougang (United FC) on Saturday.... There are no injury worries as of now, except Azwan (Salleh), who had to be taken off after 15 minutes today. Hopefully he'll be alright.
DPMM FC coach Vjeran Simunic

DPMM FC teach national U-23 squad a lesson

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, October 13, 2013

THE national under-23 team have plenty to do after struggling to a 5-0 loss to DPMM FC ahead of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Myanmar in December.
The silver lining was that the national side were playing their first friendly match after their stint at the Borneo Games in Labuan last month and they were missing the services of striker Adi Said, midfielder Azwan Ali Rahman and goalkeeper Md Fakhrul Zulhazmi Yussof who laced up for DPMM FC at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
Adi found the back of the net four times for DPMM FC in the matchup which lasted for 75 minutes – with only 30 minutes played in the second half.
DPMM FC got off to the best of starts and opened the scoring just seven minutes after kickoff with Adi finding the back of the net with a superb freekick.
Hj Mohd Subhi Abdilah Hj Bakir doubled DPMM FC’s lead in the 22nd minute after the U-23 team failed to clear a corner.
The DPMM FC right-back was just at the right place at the right place at the right time to blast home from inside the box.
It was 3-0 in the 35th minute after Rosmin Hj Mohd Kamis delivered a good ball from midfield to Adi on the right before the forward skipped past the keeper to slot it home.
The U-23 team were toothless on attack and were on the backfoot most of the time.
DPMM FC continued their dominance after the break and Adi notched his hat trick after he outpaced his defender to rifle in his shot in the 68th minute.
He added another goal to his tally just minutes before the final whistle to complete the rout.
DPMM FC head coach Vjeran Simunic is gearing his team up for their upcoming matchup against Hougang United at home next Saturday.
He was pleased with the team’s spirit and hoped that they can carry the momentum forward.
“I’m not happy that we have a long break because we were in fantastic form in our last two games which we won,” said Simunic in an interview with The Brunei Times after the convincing victory.
“Hougang will be a big challenge for us as they are unbeaten in their last three games. They even drew 2-2 against Tampines in a friendly yesterday (Friday),” he said.
“But today (Saturday) the players ran, challenged and made many chances. We could have even scored more and this is a good confidence booster for them. Even the bench players stepped up,” continued the Croatian.
Hj Zainuddin Hj Kassim, the U-23 assistant coach, felt that there is still plenty of work to be done ahead of the Maynmar Games.
“We started off slow and the players seemed scared. We needed all the match experience considering that we were going up against the seniors,” he said.
“We will need to improve on our passing game. Confidence is also very important and it can be seen that the teamwork is not there yet. We will need to be more organised,” he added.
“Hopefully we will be able to do better in our next friendly,” continued Hj Zainuddin.
Both teams are set to play against each other again on Tuesday.
The U-23 side are also scheduled to play in a tournament in Sabah some time next month as part of preparations for the SEA Games.

The Brunei Times

North Korea crush Brunei U-19 squad

Syarif Rasani
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

THE national Under-19 football team faced a 6-0 beating at the hands of North Korea in their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-19 Championship qualifier opener yesterday.

Brunei managed to keep the game goalless before giving a penalty away in the 21st minute, which saw North Korea's Ro Myong Song put his team in front 1-0 at the Thai Japanese Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Three more goals were then added in the first half by So Jong Hyok (23rd minute), Kim Chol Min (31st) and Choe Song Il (39th) who was awarded the match's most valuable player.

North Korea's second half goals came from Pak Chol Song (64th) and Kim Kuk Chol three minutes into injury time (90th).

Brunei will take on Thailand in their second Group H match tomorrow at the same venue before closing out their campaign at the Thai capital against Singapore on Saturday.

Thailand defeated Singapore 3-0 in yesterday's other game.

North Korea top the group by a three goal difference over Thailand, with both of them holding one win a piece.

Singapore are sitting third whilst Brunei are at the bottom of the four-team table.

Today's first game will be between table toppers North Korea and Singapore.

Vietnam are the only team that have confirmed their spot after winning all their Group F matches against Australia (5-1), Hong Kong (5-1) and Chines Taipei (6-1).

Forty teams separated into nine groups are aiming to top their groups and earn their ticket to the October 2014 finals in Myanmar.

Six of the best second placed sides and hosts Myanmar will also make it through.

The tournament also serve as the qualifiers for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, with the top-four sides in the 2014 edition booking a place in tournament proper to be held in New Zealand in 2015.

The Brunei Times

Laos send Brunei crashing out of AFC U-16 C'ship

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Saturday, September 28, 2013

THE national under-16 football team bowed out of the Asian Football Federation (AFC) Under-16 Championship on a losing note.

They recorded their third consecutive loss after falling to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Laos last night.

According to the AFC official website, Aphixway Thanakhanty gave Laos the lead after he found the back of the net in the 24th minute at the National Sports Complex in Vientiane.

The hosts doubled their lead through Soulivanh Nivone in the 36th minute after he beat Muhammad Ishyra Asmin Mohd Jabidi in between the Brunei sticks.

Laos would hold on to a 2-0 cushion at halftime.

The Sultanate managed to hold their ground in the second half before Salath Vilayphanh got his name on the scoresheet in the 84th minute to complete the victory.

The result means that Brunei finished Group H with one win and three losses.

Brunei started out their campaign on the right track after defeating Guam 4-1 last Saturday giving new coach Stephen Ng Heng Seng a winning debut.

Muhammad Syahmi Rashid netted a hat-trick while Nazirrudin Hj Ismail was the only other Bruneian to get his name on the scoresheet at the competition.

The Sultanate were brought back down to earth after losing 8-0 to Malaysia two days later before getting thrashed 9-0 by two-time champions South Korea on Wednesday.

In the earlier game, Malaysia defeated South Korea 2-0 at the same venue.

Muhammad Najmuddin Samat scored the first goal for Malaysia in first half stoppage time before Ashraf added another in the 61st minute.

Laos currently lead the five-team table over Malaysia based on goal difference. They are both on seven points from three games.

South Korea are in third with six points while Brunei will finish fourth in the group unless basement dwellers Guam pulls off an upset over Malaysia with a barrage of goals.

Brunei is one of 40 nations, divided into 10 groups, participating in the Sept 21-29 tournament.

The Brunei Times
 

DPMM FC tame Young Lions

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Saturday, September 28, 2013

DPMM FC got the third round of the Singapore League (S-League) off to winning ways.

Brunei's only professional team edged the Young Lions (Singapore Under-23 national team) 3-2 last night at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.

Hendra Azam Md Idris scored the opener with his second goal in DPMM FC colours after netting a freekick in the ninth minute.

The duo of Azwan Salleh and Rosmin Hj Kamis had played decoy on the deadball situation before the midfielder launched his attempt from just outside the box to beat Syazwan Buhari in between the Young Lions sticks.

DPMM FC doubled their lead through Shahrazen Said just two minutes later after a defensive lapse by the Young Lions to see the forward blast home from inside the box.

Abdul Aziz Tamit gave away a penalty after he handled the ball inside the box.

The Young Lions got back in the game after Raihan Rahman scored the ensuing penalty kick in the 24th minute.

DPMM FC regained a two-goal cushion after Brazilian Rodrigo Tosi got on the scoresheet for back-to-back games after heading home a Rosmin freekick in the 54th minute.

Hj Md Subhi Abdilah Hj Bakir was whistled for a careless tackle inside the box allowing Sherif El-Masri to convert another spotkick for the Young Lions in the 81st minute.

The pressure was on for the Bruneian side but they defended well and held on to collect all three points.

Hendra felt that it was heart and team effort that allowed them to claim the win.

"Yet again tonight (Friday night) showed how Bruneian players performed with 150 per cent to win the game even with only one import player. Everyone motivated each other on the field," said Hendra in an interview with The Brunei Times after the triumph.

"To me those who were full hearted and wanted to play deserved to be on the field because they gave their best," he added.

"I thought that after we scored the second goal it would have dampened the mood of our opponents. Instead they kept the pressure on us till the end. Luckily everyone on the team worked hard to get the win," continued the midfielder.

Shahrazen was glad to end his goal drought and is hoping to keep his scoring form for the remainder of the season.

"I can't remember the last time I scored but I'm happy to be back and I hope to score for the remaining matches," said the forward, whose last goals came against Hougang United back on March 1.

"The match tonight was very tough. We were lucky that we managed to hold till the final whistle," he added.

"Now we must focus on building our fitness and stamina," concluded Shahrazen.

The win puts DPMM FC in second spot of the six-team bottom half table with 30 points.

Warriors FC currently lead the table with 31 points while Harimau Muda are in third with 28.

Geylang International FC are fourth with 25 points while Hougang United are one point behind.

The Young Lions are rooted at the basement of the table, having collected only nine points from 23 games played.

The Brunei Times

U-19s suffer Vietnam loss

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, September 19, 2013

THE national under-19 football team ended their ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Under-19 Championship 2013 without a point to their name.

They were hammered 6-1 by Vietnam in Group B last night at the Petrokimia Gresik in Surabaya, Indonesia.

The result means that Vietnam complete the group flawless and on maximum of 15 points.

It is another disappointing outing for the Sultanate having let in a total of 30 goals and only getting on the scoresheet once in their five matches.

Brunei opened their campaign with a 5-0 loss to Indonesia before getting demolished 8-0 by Thailand.

They were then hammered 6-0 by Myanmar on before falling 5-0 to Malaysia on Monday.

In the earlier game, Myanmar and Thailand played out to a 4-4 draw. Timor Leste are the winners of Group A while joining them in the semi-finals are Laos.

Hosts Indonesia also advanced into the last-four after coming from behind to draw 1-1 against Malaysia last night at the Gelora Delta Sidoarjo. The semi-finals will be contested tomorrow.

The Brunei Times

DPMM FC tame Harimau Muda

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, September 19, 2013

DPMM FC came from a goal down to defeat Harimau Muda 3-1 in the S-League second round final match at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas last night.

This year, the S-League has introduced a new "two-and-a-half" round format in which the league will be divided into two tiers at the end of the second round of fixtures.

A brace from Rodrigo Tosi and a goal from substitute Abdul Aziz Tamit helped the Sultanate's only professional club replace Harimau Muda in eighth place in the twelve-team table with 27 points.

"I am very happy we won today especially these past few days, it has been bitter for us after losing in the S-League Cup final," said DPMM FC coach Vjeran Simunic after the match.

DPMM FC lost 4-0 to Balestier Khalsa in the S-League Cup final at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore on Saturday.

"Harimau Muda is a fantastic team, they defeated Tampines Rover FC, and I respect them a lot.

"I am happy (with how) the Bruneians played tonight, Tosi was the only import player in the game. We played with four to five imports when we lost to Harimau Muda in May, but we won tonight with only one import, I think this is good for Brunei football," added Simunic.

The Malaysian side found the net early in the sixth minute when Akmal Ishak rose above DPMM FC's players to head home a corner kick from the left

Tosi levelled the score in the 27 minute with a brilliant goal, blasting the ball from outside the penalty box to beat Harimau Muda's goalkeeper Hafizul Hakim in the goal.

The Brazilian midfielder almost put DPMM FC ahead just before the break, when he was picked by Azwan Salleh from the right, but the latter would head the ball just wide.

DPMM FC pushed for a winner in the second-half and looked dangerous with their set-pieces.

Tosi and striker Shahrazen Said were on target in the second-half causing a lot of problems to Harimau Muda's backline.

Abdul Aziz who came on for Shahrul Rizal Abdul Rahman in the first-half put DPMM FC ahead for the first time in the 54th minute when he headed home captain Rosmin Hj Kamis' corner from the left.

Tosi would add another goal in the 72nd minute with a penalty kick after he was brought down by Ashmawi Yakin.

"I am disappointed with the game today. I think we didn't play well in the second-half, and we failed to defend their set-piece," said Harimau Muda coach Razip Ismail.

"I think we scored too early in the game. I think DPMM FC's number eight (Tosi) played very well tonight, he gave us a lot of trouble," he added.

The new league format splits the teams into two tiers, with the top six teams forming the "upper tier" and the bottom six teams forming the "lower tier".

They will play another round of matches against teams in their own pool, but the seventh-placed team will not be able to move up the table even though they might end up with more points than the sixth-placed team at the end of the additional half round.

After the game last night DPMM FC and Harimau Muda will be grouped in the bottom half with Warriors FC, Hougang United FC, Geylang International FC, Courts Young Lions.

Meanwhile, Tampines Rover Fc, Albirex Niigata FC (S), Home United FC, Tanjong Pagar United FC, Balestier Khalsa FC and Woodlands Wellington FC will still be in the running for the title in the top half.

DPMM FC will face Hougang United FC in their next home game on October 19.

The Brunei Times

S- League Cup : Balestier Khalsa Fc 4-0 DPMM Fc

Balestier Khalsa win 4-0 against DPMM Fc in S League cup today.

National U-19 team suffer 0-8 defeat from Thailand

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Saturday, September 14, 2013

THE national football under-19 team suffered back-to-back heavy defeats in the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Under-19 Championship 2013.

Brunei were hammered 8-0 by Thailand in their second Group B match at the Gelora Delta Sidoarjo in Surabaya, Indonesia, on Thursday night. They have let in 13 goals without finding the back of the net after two games to sit at the bottom of group.

According to a report on the AFF website, the Sultanate had the worst of starts after first choice goalkeeper Abdul Hafiq Abd Rahim picked up an injury during the pre-match warm-up session.

The only other keeper on the squad, Md Burhanuddin Edy Esmady, was handed the gloves in between the posts. It was a nightmare in his debut after Thailand grabbed the lead just seconds into the encounter.

Supravee Miprathang raced in and blasted his shot which bounced off a defender and sailed into goal.

Ratchanon Phunklai doubled their lead after heading home a cross from Kullachat Jeentanorm in the 12th minute.

Chenrop Samphodi got his name on the scoresheet after forcing his way through to goal and Kullachat scored his first of the game from the penalty spot to put his team up 4-0 at halftime.

Kullachat notched a hattrick after scoring two quick goals in the 47th and 54th minutes.

Brunei suffered a scare on the hour mark after Md Burhanuddin was involved in a clash with Piyapong Homkhajon.

Fortunately the Bruneian was alright and Piyapong was booked for his reckless tackle.

It didn't really matter in the end as Atthawit Sukchuai and Kandanai Thawornsak added to the tally in the 77th and 88th minutes to complete the rout.

The win brings Thailand up to third spot and a chance to make it to the semi-finals after losing their opener to Vietnam.

Hosts Indonesia made it two wins out of two to top Group B after beating Myanmar 2-1 at the Petrokimia Gresik.

Vietnam are hot on their laurels also with two wins after edging Malaysia 1-0 at the Gelora Delta Sidoarjo in an earlier match.

Brunei will continue their campaign today with a meeting against Myanmar at the Petrokimia Gresik.

The Brunei Times