DPMM FC raring to go despite harsh fixtures

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, January 23, 2014

DPMM FC striker Shahrazen Said believes that competitive pre-season matches will help his team withstand a tough run of games in the S-League this season.
The club will be leaving for Thailand tomorrow to compete in the Saksee Phuket Cup as they step up their preparations for their first match of the season against Albirex Niigata (S) on February 22 at the Jurong East Stadium in Singapore.
They will then face Warriors FC on February 28 at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas before travelling to Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore to play Home United on March 13.
DPMM FC next host defending champions Tampines Rover FC on March 23.
“It is good to have stronger teams earlier in the season, I prefer it that way as we can measure our strength and try to win the league... Also I think that pre-season games are very important to keep us ready and fit to face strong teams,” said Shahrazen.
“The coach is still looking for his best 11 for this season, and the pre-season games in Phuket are where you want to prove that you are (deserve to be the) starting eleven, so we must treat this tournament competitively,” he added.
Captain Rosmin Hj Kamis echoed Shahrazen’s sentiments.
“Yes it is quite a tough fixture, but we have to face them sooner or later, so it doesn’t matter,” said Rosmin.
“If we can win get three points in our first match, it will be good for the team's confidence.”
For seasoned players like Shahrazen and Rosmin, the fixtures are not too much of a concern but it is certainly intimidating for the younger players like Azwan Ali Rahman and Mohd Hendra Azam Mohd Idris.
“It is quite tough… We got Albirex, Warriors, Home United and Tampines in our first four games,” said 22-year-old Azwan.
“I do not want to think too much about it. The only thing that we can do for now is to keep training hard,” he said.
Mohd Hendra said: “We have to focus on ourselves this year if we are to compete for the title.”
“Last season was very disappointing, I hope with the new coach (Steve Kean) we will be able to bounce back this season.”
Kean, the former Blackburn Rovers manager, will be leading the Sultanate’s only professional club this season following the departure of Croatian Vjeran Simunic.
DPMM finished runners-up of the S-League in 2012, their best ever finish in the competition yet.
They also won the League Cup for a second time that year but only managed an eighth-place finish last year.

The Brunei Times

NFABD: We are unaware of match fixing in Brunei

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, January 23, 2014

THE National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) yesterday said that they had not received any inquiry linking the Sultanate to global betting syndicates.
A report published by themalaymailonline.com quoted former FIFA security head Chris Eaton who said Malaysians had ties with global betting syndicates and were linked to leagues and agents in Australia, England and Brunei.
But the NFABD said they were not aware of the issue.
“We have not heard any of it and this is the first time I am hearing about it,” said NFABD Vice-President Pehin Datu Indera Sugara Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof Abu Bakar.
“We have not received any official or unofficial inquiry regarding the issue, and I am very surprised to hear it,” he added.
In the report, Eaton said he was aware of Malaysians who are linked to fixing league matches with connections in Australia, England and Brunei.
“But it’s far bigger than Malaysia as you know. All our tracks are leading to China and Russia via compliant, complicit and ignorant others,” the director of Sport Integrity at the International Centre for Sport and Security was quoted as saying..
Eaton said he was unsure if the Malaysian League (M-League) — which kicked-off last week — was spared from such activities.
“We are in the middle of these inquiries now. We haven’t looked at the M-league for a while. Just look at the names of (match-fixers) those arrested in Australia and England. These guys use each other’s names and even passports from time to time.”
“You have had the self-destruction of several Singapore based match-fixing syndicates through infighting over the past two years. These syndicates have Malaysians and Malaysian bested colleagues, runners and opportunity-spotters for instance. These are all pawns of the betting-fraud (while the) kingpins, and almost all, are China nationals, Malaysians or Russians.”
Eaton, in 2011, said Malaysians were involved in match-fixing scandals in Germany, Finland and Singapore but insisted it did not involve the FA of Malaysia.

The Brunei Times

QAF and Jerudong share spoils

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Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

bandar seri begawan

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

QAF FC were held to a 2-2 draw by Jerudong FC in the opener of the 2014 DST Super League at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Spots Complex in Berakas last night.
QAF manager Rahim Hj Daud told The Brunei Times that he was relieved to walk away from the match with a point but expressed disappointment with how the performance of the team.
“I am not happy with the boys tonight. Even though we controlled the game, we missed a lot of chances,” he said.
“I don’t know what happened tonight, maybe the field is too slippery after the rain or maybe the players did not give their all in the game but I am very thankful that we did not lose the game,” he added.
QAF was the first to create a real chance when Petrus Jumat's cross found Hardi Bujang on the left inside the penalty box but his shot was parried by Jerudong goalkeeper Mohd Khairul Anuar Hj Abd Ghani.
Jerudong had a chance to take the lead but their calls for a penalty — after striker Mohd Julremi Hj Zaini was brought down by captain Riwandi Abd Wahit — fell on deaf ears.
A few minutes later Jerudong caught QAF napping as they allowed Mohd Julremi to run freely into the penalty box following a clearance from Jerudong's own half.
Mohd Julremi calmly slotted the ball from close range to give Jerudong a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute.
The QAF midfield responded and took control of the game with Mohd Hardyman Abdul Lamit holding a defensive role, while, twin brothers Mardi Mirza Abdullah Bujang and Hardi pressed higher up the pitch.
Mardi Mirza put on an impressive performance, especially in the first-half with his accurate passes, but were most impressive on both flanks.
Sam Frank — on the right — and Petrus Jumat caused a lot of trouble for Jerudong with their pace and crosses, with the former equalising in the 42nd minute with a stunning header from the edge of the box following a corner kick from the right.
Mohd Asnawi Syazwi Abd Aziz was particularly impressive for Jerudong, the winger found himself with a good scoring opportunity in the box, but he could only muster a weak shot with his left foot.
QAF also dominated the second-half, but again it was Jerudong who found the net, Mohd Endy Soehardy Awg Sapar capitalising on a poor clearance by QAF defender inside the penalty box.
QAF continued to pile the pressure on Jerudong as they searched for an equaliser.
They finally got their reward in the 73rd minute when Frank beat Jerudong goalkeeper from outside the penalty box with a spectacular shot following an impressive pin-point cross by Mohd Hardyman from the right.
Mohd Asnawi missed the chance to put Jerudong ahead a few minutes later when he headed wide a Mohd Radzi Tamat cross from the right.
Mardi Mirza should have scored in the 80th minute when he was set through inside the penalty box, but he blasted the ball wide.
Petrus meanwhile got his volley blocked by a QAF defender a few minutes later.
Jerudong were reduced to 10 men when Mohd Julremi was given the marching order for dangerous tackle on Riwandi in the 86th minute.

The Brunei Times

Brunei gets two new FIFA referees

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Saturday, January 18, 2014

BRUNEI have two more international football referees following accreditation by FIFA yesterday.
Hadimin Shahbuddin will no longer be the only one as he is now joined by the duo of Mohammad Hasrin Hj Samat and Endy Vyzunny Hj Zainuddin.
A total of 10 officials – five football assistant referees and two futsal referees being the others – were accredited at a ceremony held at the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) House in Berakas yesterday morning.
The assistant referees are Sujairi Abdullah, Mohammad Nor Khairi Hj Hussin, Mohd Ali Dzulfikri Hj Mohd Taib, Ali Faisal Rosli and Noorizam Zakaria while the duo of Hj Dasnan Hj Abdul Rahman and Sukry Hj Matassim are the futsal referees that got accredited.
Present as the guest of honour was NFABD vice-president Pehin Datu Indera Sugara Brigadier General (R) Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof Abu Bakar.
In his speech, the vice-president expressed hopes that the accredited officials will continue to be diligent and thus further improve the quality of officiating - as they can any time receive a call up for duty for international competitions.
Pehin Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof also presented referee equipment from FIFA which included badges and ID cards to the officials.
NFABD are currently also holding a 13-day Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ‘C’ licence coaching certificate course at the NFABD House in Berakas for 21 participants.
The course is expected to end on Tuesday.

The Brunei Times

Indera SC in the midst of change

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Friday, January 17, 2014

DST Super League defending champions Indera Sports Club (SC) have always been known for their fast football, propensity to attack and their never-say-die attitude - characters which have long been built into the psyche of the club and the players.
Indera SC are also known as a club that produces a lot of talented players who have gone on to represent the country at national and regional tournaments, and to date, they have contributed more than 30 players to the national team.
However, the club are undergoing a huge transformation this season with more than half of the squad being replaced, so they will need to be at their very best to defend their title against rivals Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Councul (MS ABDB) – who they beat for the DST Super League title by virtue of goal difference last year.
Though he knows the team have a tough task ahead of them, Indera SC manager Rosdin Hj Abdul Aziz said the club will do their best to retain their crown.
“This year will be very challenging for us as the other teams are getting stronger with their new players, so it will be very interesting to see (what happens),” he said in a recent interview with The Brunei Times.
“We just started training a few weeks ago. A number of key players have left the club and we have yet to establish a consistent starting eleven for this season,” he added.
They will meet MS ABDB for the Sumbangsih Cup on Sunday, the clash at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas serving as the curtain-raiser for the 2014 DST Super League season.
But with the “depleted squad” Rosdin has, it is obvious he doesn’t consider Indera to be favourites.
“I do not want to get my hopes up as we have a very depleted squad right now, but we will try our best to win the Sumbangsih Cup,” he said, adding that MS ABDB have brought in a number of quality players to their team and they have been preparing since November.
“Some of our players (midfielders Muhd Nurikhwan Othman, Mohd Asri Hj Aspar and goalkeeper Ak Omar Nur Aqammadin Pg Hj Sallehuddin) are currently training with the national team for the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy and they will not play on Sunday,” said Rosdin.
The loss of Muhd Nurikhwan, Mohd Asri and Ak Omar Nur Aqammadin will be severely missed as the trio, who were a part of the national Under-23 team which competed at last month’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Myanmar, are among the most important players for Indera.
Ak Omar Nur Aqammadin proved to be an integral part of the national team in Myanmar with numerous saves to keep his team in the game, though the country were still unable to win a single match at the biennial meet.
Indera’s biggest loss, though, will that of midfielder Azwan Ali Rahman - who was snapped up by DPMM FC last year after a hugely impressive DST Super League season.
Azwan, who also laced up at last month’s SEA Games, was the key to Indera’s success last season after scoring 17 goals and finishing as the league's top goal scorer.
Arguably the most important goal he bagged was the strike which secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over MS ABDB as the club finished as champions above MS ABDB on goal differenc on the final day of the season.
Both teams finished the league tied on 22 points but Indera’s superior goal difference was enough to land them their first league title since their formation.
Formerly known as Indera Football Club (IFC), Indera Sports Club was established in the late 1970s and changed their name in 2010.

The Brunei Times

DST continues tie-up with NFABD

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, January 16, 2014

DST’S unyielding support towards the promotion and development of football in the country continued yesterday with the sponsorship of various National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) tournaments.
Held at DST Group’s headquarters in Tungku Link, members of the media and invited guest witnessed the signing of the agreement between DST Group as the title sponsor for the national football leagues this year – DST Super League, DST Premier League and DST FA Cup.
Telecoms service provider DST chose not to reveal the amount they are sponsoring NFABD or whether it was for prize money or to cover the cost of organising the leagues.
The 2014 DST Super League is slated to kick off on Sunday with the Sumbangsih Cup clash between Indera Sports Club (SC) and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.
NFABD have yet to announce the dates for DST Premiere League and DST FA Cup.
Witnessing the signing ceremony as guest of honour was the Deputy Minister of Finance Dato Paduka Hj Bahrin Abdullah, who is also the chairman of the Board of Directors of DST.
Signing the agreement on behalf of NFABD was NFABD vice-president Pehin Datu Indera Sugara Brigadier General (R) Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof Abu Bakar while Abdul Latif Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Hj Md Yusuf, a member of DST’s Board of Directors, signed on behalf of DST.
“I would like to express our deep appreciation and thanks to DST for their generous and significant sponsorship as well as the continuous and relentless support in promoting football in the country,” said Pehin Datu Indera Sugara Brigadier General (R) Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof in his speech.
“This significant sponsorship from DST enables NFABD to organise more matches this year in line with FIFA’s advice, and this definitely will improve the standard and quality of our football players.
“At the same time, it will help us to identify and select potential players for the national team.
“Because of the sponsorship, NFABD has also managed to raise the prize money for the champions and the runners-up - and this will certainly give more encouragement and aspiration to football teams to strive to be better and competitive,” continued the vice-president.
The prize money for this year’s competition is yet to be revealed by NFABD.
However, champions Indera won a challenge trophy, championship trophy and a cash prize of $10,000 for winning the DST Super League last March.
Second placed MS ABDB walked away with a trophy and a cash prize of $7000.
After leaving eager local football fans in the dark in regards to the DST Super League’s start, NFABD yesterday said it hopes to organise the national leagues in January from now on.
“I am pleased to announce that NFABD has arranged for the first match of the 2014 season to kick off on Sunday with the Sumbangsih Cup, and we are also hoping that for many years to come the football season will always begin in January,” said Pehin Datu Indera Sugara Brigadier General (R) Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof.
“We are hoping that the public will come and watch to support their team,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of DST, its CEO Suhaimi Hj Husin said that DST is pleased to be given the privilege to be the title sponsor for the league again this season.
“NFABD have provided DST with the platform to support them in their effort to organise the most important and primary football leagues in the country,” said Suhaimi.
“The desired objective of this partnership will enable NFABD (to) nurture quality football talent in the country, which will act as a talent pool for the creation of the national football team,” he added.
DST have also sponsored Veteran Football Association (VFA) tournaments in the past.
This season’s DST Super League will see 10 teams, MS ABDB, Indera SC, Royal Brunei Police Forces Sports Council (MS PDB), QAF FC, Majra United, Kilanas FC, Jerudong FC, Wijaya FC, Najip FC and Liang Lumut Recreational Club (LLRC) FC fighting for top honours.

The Brunei Times

Indera SC, MS ABDB clash for Sumbangsih Cup

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

INDERA Sports Club (SC) will face Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) for the Sumbangsih Cup on Sunday.
The clash, which also serves as the curtain raiser for the 2014 DST Super League, will be held at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.
MS ABDB will go all out to win their first silverware this season, in an attempt to make up for last year’s pain of losing the DST Super League title to Indera SC.
The armymen lost 1-0 to Indera SC on the final day of the season in March and both teams finished the league tied on points, but Indera SC's superior goal difference was enough to put them ahead of MS ABDB.
“It is going to be a tough match, as we all know they are the defending champions of the league,” said MS ABDB manager Pg Muhd Mufid Pg Hj Umar Ariffin yesterday.
“To win the game on Sunday is very important to us,” he said.
Indera SC manager Rosdin Hj Abdul Aziz said his squad are ready to face MS ABDB despite them missing a number of players for the match.
“Three to four players are currently with the national under-21 squad, training for the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) and we also lost Azwan Ali Rahman to DPMM FC, so this year Indera SC will be relying on new players,” said Rosdin.
Azwan was the league's top goal scorer last season with 17 goals.
“We are expecting MS ABDB to go all out on Sunday, but we will try our best to match them and get a win on the day,” continued the manager.
“MS ABDB have been preparing since November and they are very serious about winning the title this year, but it will not be easy as we will do whatever we can to defend our title,” he told The Brunei Times yesterday.
This year’s DST Super League will see 10 teams — MS ABDB, Indera SC, Royal Brunei Police Forces Sports Council (MS PDB), QAF FC, Majra United, Kilanas FC, Jerudong FC, Wijaya FC, Najip FC and Liang Lumut Recreational Club (LLRC) FC — fight for top honours this season.
The league will kick off on Tuesday with QAF FC going up against Jerudong at the Balapan Track and Field in Berakas.
Last season saw champions Indera SC brought home the challenge trophy, championship trophy and a cash prize of $10,000.

The Brunei Times

New S-League fitness tests

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

THIS year’s Singapore League (S-League) will demand a higher level of fitness from the players as the league looks to raise the bar for its mandatory fitness test.
Two news sources in Singapore have reported that the league will be raising the passing mark for the 2.4km test that all players went through last season and will have to repeat this season.
“We are looking into ways in which the league can support the national (Singaporean) team, and one of the ways is by helping push up fitness levels,” S-League chief executive Lim Chin told Singapore’s The New Paper at the sidelines of the Football Association of Singapore’s (FAS) annual general meeting in September.
Kallangroar.com further suggested that all players will have to improve on the passing mark of 10:15 last season to 10 minutes this season.
The new 15-second improvement in standard was brought about as only five per cent of the total playing population clocked 10 minutes or more during tests conducted last year.
Meanwhile, the passing mark for goalkeepers will remain unchanged at 12 minutes.
Despite the new requirement, DPMM FC striker Shahrazen Said (pic) seemed unfazed by the changes.
“Yes we aware of the changes in the passing mark for the fitness test, but it should not be a problem for us as almost every one ran under 10 minutes during last year’s fitness test,” said Shahrazen in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.
“I am very supportive of the changes as I believe that it will help to increase the level of the competitiveness of the league.
“I am looking forward to it and I heard that the test will be held at the end of the month or early February,” added Shahrazen.
Known as the Cooper test, the assessment marks a move away from the much-criticised beep test which was used by the S-League in 2012.
A gauge of cardiovascular fitness, the multistage beep test requires the players to run between 20m spaced cones, with their speed increasing in accordance to increasing beeps.
The current test - which was created in 1968 by American Dr Ken Cooper - is meant to gauge the distance the participants can cover in 12 minutes, though the S-League wants players to shave two minutes off that time.
Though everyone passed last year’s Cooper test, eight players failed to make the grade in 2012 when the league still used the beep tests.
“In 2012 we had a beep test which was a little bit harder, so I think this 2.4km test should be fine for us,” said DPMM FC captain Rosmin Hj Kamis.
A total of 72 players in the league were rewarded cash prizes last year, and the incentive will remain as it is for the coming season.
Players who recorded eight minutes and a half and below will receive a $200 incentive, meanwhile, the players who managed between eight minutes to nine minutes will receive a $100 incentive.
Speaking to The Brunei Times after last year’s test, former DPMM FC coach Vjeran Simunic said that more players would have received the $100 bonus if they had known about it earlier.
“Everybody passed, there were no problems,” said Simunic last January.
“Helmi (midfielder Md Helmi Zambin) did it in less than nine minutes and he got $100.
“But many other players were close to Helmi's time. Shahrazen was three seconds off the mark and Najip (midfielder Md Najip Hj Tarif) was two seconds.
“If they knew about the reward, I'm sure half of them would have done it in less than nine minutes,” added the Croatian.
As in 2013, the format of the league in 2014 is expected to remain the same with teams playing each other for two rounds before dividing into a top six-tier and a bottom-six tier for half a round (six games).
The clubs in the bottom-six tier have no chance at winning the league – they best they can hope for is a top-six finish.
According to DPMM FC’s official website, the S-League season is slated to start on February 19, and though the fixture list has not been revealed, the club will need to make sure that all the players are ready for their pre-season matches.
DPMM FC have been invited to participate in the Saksee Phuket Cup tournament in Thailand from January 25 to 27, and they are also reportedly slated to host Malaysian FA Cup champions Kelantan FA on January 31 at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
Steve Kean, the former manager of Blackburn Rovers, will be leading the Sultanate’s only professional club this season following Simunic’s dismissal.
DPMM FC finished runners-up in 2012 in their best season in the S-League, winning the League Cup for a second time.
Their 2013 campaign was not as successful though, finishing eighth and falling to a 4-0 loss to Balestier Khalsa FC in the League Cup final in September.

The Brunei Times

21 start coaching journey

Syarif Rasani

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Participants, instructors and National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) officials posing for a group photo after the opening ceremony of yesterday’s Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ‘C’ license coaching certificate course organised by NFABD at the NFABD House in Berakas. Picture: BT/Syarif Rasani

TWENTY-ONE aspiring coaches are sitting for an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ‘C’ license coaching certificate course organised by the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD).

The majority of the class at the NFABD House in Berakas is made up of 16 coach hopefuls from Brunei-Muara, two from Belait, and two from Temburong.

The last entry, Norman Muchni, travelled all the way from Indonesia to take part in the 13-day introduction course which is the prerequisite towards realising a professional career as a coach.

“I know the AFC ‘C’ license is already very well known in Asia so this is the first step I need to take to become a coach,” said Muchni in an interview with The Brunei Times after yesterday’s opening ceremony.

“I hope by taking this I can eventually move on to take the ‘B’ license, ‘A’ license and then progress to become a professional coach.

“I have actually been in contact with NFABD for a year now, and fortunately for me they were doing the course now, so I applied for it,” added Muchni.’’

The ‘C’ certificate course is aimed at developing coaches’ basic techniques and skill in football.

They will also learn to organise, direct and conduct basic coaching practices, and after receiving the minimum 85 hours of lessons (practical and theory), participants will be assessed on their practical coaching abilities and knowledge of the laws of the game.

The ‘C’ license holders are eligible to apply for the ‘B’ license after two years’ of coaching experience, followed by an additional year to take the ‘A’ license.

They will then have to conduct another two years of coaching, as well as meet certain criteria, before they are eligible for the AFC Professional Coaching Diploma.
AFC’s website states that the AFC Professional Coaching Diploma course is for coaches who hold the ‘A’ Coaching Certificate as a minimum requirement.
“It is designed to teach the highest standards for club and national team levels,” states the website.
“The course aims at producing coaches at the highest level and identifying future instructors.
“It is a complex course that consists of 4 modules, with a total duration of at least 380 hours,” it added.

The current ‘C’ license coaching certificate course is being led by NFABD technical director Mike Wong Mun Heng and head coach of the NFABD’s Under-16 team Stephen Ng Heng Seng.

“To my understanding Brunei held this same course six years ago, and so far we have about 10 qualified coaches - but most of them are now inactive,” said Wong, who wants to see 63 ‘C’ licensed coaches within the year.

“We are now trying to expand the number of coaches here, and when I say expand the number of coaches, I mean we want good qualified coaches.

“With good coaches, of course the return will be good players.

“We (also) want to get qualified coaches in the country so that the league will be better, which will lead to better national squads,” said the former head coach of Singapore League side Geylang United from 2009-2012.
NFABD hired the Singaporean duo last September.
In addition to the coaching courses, AFC also offers a Conditioning Coaching Certificate course, a Futsal Coaching Certificate course and a Goalkeeping Coaching Certificate course.
Those who pass the relevant courses can also study with AFC to become an AFC Coaching Instructor, AFC Conditioning Instructor, AFC Futsal Instructor and AFC Goalkeeping Instructor.
NFABD general secretary, Mohd Noor Hj Abdullah officiated yesterday’s opening ceremony before the students had their first theory lesson.


The Brunei Times

HBT trials continue today

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

TRIALS for the Hassanal Bolkiah Tophy (HBT) will reach its pinnacle by the end of the week.
A total of 108 players have been selected over tests in all four districts over the past week and the number is down to 60 after last night’s session at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.
The players were separated into teams and competed in 20-minute matches. They were then selected by a panel of coaching staff based on their performance to progress into the next phase of the selection.
The remainder of the batch will continue training from tomorrow to Saturday to narrow down the number of players to 30.
These players will then undergo intensive training starting Monday at the Youth Centre in the capital.
National football coach Kwon Oh-son was impressed by the performance of the players last night and is hoping to see more of it over the next couple of days.
“There are some special players who are impressive and very good. They have good speed and skills,” said Kwon in an interview with The Brunei Times last night.
“Football skill is the most important trait that we are looking for at the moment. From there we will let them undergo training to improve further. Some of them have very good potential,” he added.
“We need players with good spirit and also good scoring ability. We are searching for those who have the ability to create for their teammates and also to score
Kwon went on to thank the parents, coming from all districts, for their continuous support and having to put in sacrifices to bring their children to attend the trials.
Team manager Hj Feisal Hj Eusoff was also delighted with the pool of talent that was unearthed throughout the trials.
“I’m happy with the performance of the players from all districts. They have shown that Brunei have got good potential in football,” said Hj Feisal.
“There are a lot of talented players, some aged 16 or 17. We will look at the best 30 players but will also retain the rest of them to continue training and development with other coaches,” he said.
Hj Feisal also wants the players to concentrate on football and not let anything bother them.
“I want the players to focus only on training and do their best in football. The management will do their best to handle whatever is necessary in terms of welfare with the Ministry (of Culture, Youth and Sports),” said Hj Feisal.
The HBT — a biennial football tournament for Under-21 ASEAN countries — is slated to kick off in April, with a date yet to be confirmed.
The Sultanate are the defending champions after defeating Indonesia 2-0 in the final at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas two years ago.

The Brunei Times

DPMM FC Kean to start with Steve

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

Bandar Seri Begawan

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

DPMM FC’s players have reacted positively to the appointment of Steve Kean as the team’s new coach.
The former manager of England’s Blackburn Rovers FC will be leading the Sultanate’s only professional club this season following the departure of Croatian Vjeran Simunic last November.
“I believe that Kean will be able to bring the team back on its feet this year and challenge for the title in the Singapore League (S-League),” captain Rosmin Hj Mohd Kamis said in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.
“He used to coach in the English Premier League, which is one of the best football leagues in the world, and it is an honour for us to be able to train under him,” he added.
DPMM FC had a poor campaign last year, managing an eighth-place finish and a heart-breaking 4-0 loss to Balestier Khalsa FC in the S-League Cup final.
“We had a bad season last year,” said midfielder Mohd Hendra Azam Mohd Idris yesterday.
“I can’t wait for the season to start. I am looking forward to working with Kean. He likes to play one-two pass football and it will be very interesting. I hope that he can lead us to win the league this year.”
Striker Shahrazen Said was equally excited. He believes that Kean is the perfect man to lead the club this season.
“He is a very good coach... The way he talks to the players and explains things on the training ground is just excellent,” said Shahrazen.
“Coach Steve (Kean) philosophy of football is quite different from Simunic.
“He (Kean) likes the players to run around with the ball and make one-two passes, while Simunic was more to running without the ball and looking for empty spaces.”
“I have a very positive impression about him and I hope that we will be able to adapt quickly to his style of play.”
Meanwhile, other new imports to the club are defender Boric Raspudic from Bosnia and midfielders Roberto Alviz from Croatia and Joe Gamble from Ireland.
The only import player retained in the squad is Brazilian Rodrigo Tosi.
Other foreign players said to be linked with DPMM FC include former Borussia Dortmund forward Euzebiusz Smolarek and ex-Sampdoria striker Ikechukwu Kalu.
Former Arsenal and Everton striker Francis Jeffers was also previously mentioned, but DPMM FC had made it clear that no deal has been made between the club and the player’s representative.
Another possibility is former Sunderland striker Roy O’ Donovan who is currently in the country.
“He (O’Donovan) just arrived today (yesterday) and I am looking forward to see him in training soon,” Shahrazen said.
The club are also looking forward to start their pre-season training. Their first stop is the Saksee Phuket Cup tournament in Thailand later this month.
According to DPMM FC’s official website, the club have been invited to participate in the tournament on January 25-27.
The club are also reported to have been slated to host Malaysian FA Cup Champions Kelantan FA on January 31 at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
The Brunei Times

DPMM FC to begin pre-season

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Friday, January 3, 2014

DPMM FC are set to feature in the Saksee Phuket Cup tournament in Thailand as part of their 2014 Singapore League (S-League) pre-season training.
It was reported on the club’s official website that they have been invited to participate in the January 25-27 tournament, and it was also reported that DPMM FC are slated to host Malaysian FA Cup Champions Kelantan FA on January 31 at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
In an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday, DPMM FC’s team manager Ali Hj Momin confirmed the reports and said that the club is also working on organising a number of friendly matches this month ahead of the new S-League season which is expected to start in mid-February.
“Yes, we got the invitation to compete in the tournament and we are currently working to make it happen,” said the manager.
“And at the same time we will also invite some football teams to play friendlies in the country,” he added.
Brunei’s only professional club, DPMM FC went to Vietnam and Indonesia last year for their pre-season friendlies but failed to win any of their matches on the tour.
The club last month announced that defender Boric Raspudic from Bosnia and midfielders Roberto Alviz from Croatia and Joe Gamble from Ireland will be lacing up for them next season, with Brazilian Rodrigo Tosi also to be given a contract extension.
“We will soon officially announce the signings of the three confirmed players, Raspudic, Alviz and Gamble,” Ali said.
“They are currently not in the country, but they should be back here sometime this month,” continued Ali.
“We are still looking for one more player who is going to be our marquee signing and we hope that we will be able to finalise all the deals before the season starts in February,” he added.
DPMM FC were recently linked the former Borussia Dortmund forward Euzebiusz Smolarek and ex-Sampdoria striker Ikechukwu Kalu.
They were also 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.
Meanwhile, two news outlets have reported that former Sunderland striker Roy O’ Donovan is in talks with DPMM FC – which might be just the marquee signing Ali was talking about.
Goal Singapore reported that 28-year-old is still attached to English club Northampton Town, having signed for the English League Two (fourth division) side on a free transfer in January of last year.
“He is understood to have 18-months left on his current contract with the League Two side and will be in Brunei over the weekend to discuss terms,” stated the story that was published online yesterday.
O'Donovan is a former League of Ireland championship winner with Cork City and has also finished as the competition's top scorer during his two-year stay with the club.
In 2007, he moved on to Sunderland, then under the charge of fellow countryman Roy Keane, signing for a League of Ireland record transfer fee, after early interest from Fulham.
The forward has featured in the Scottish Premier League as well as in the top four tiers of professional football in England.
However, signing the Irishman might be risky as he has been on the injured list as of late.
The Northampton Chronicle & Echo have reported that O’Donovan had a sluggish start to Northampton Town’s current season after being sidelined for two months in September after undergoing a hernia operation, the injury having been misdiagnosed in the summer.
Both outlets stated a deal for Jeffers fell through because of an injury.
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 finished runners-up in 2012 in their best season in the S-League, winning the League Cup for a second time.
Their 2013 campaign was not as successful though, managing an eighth-place finish and a heart-breaking 4-0 loss to Balestier Khalsa FC in the League Cup final.

The Brunei Times

Want to play at the HBT?

SERI BEGAWAN

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

THE Department of Youth and Sports yesterday announced that it will be holding nation-wide trials to select Under-21 players to represent the country at next year’s 2014 Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy.
Open to the public, the trials for the regional meet - of which its date is yet to be confirmed - kicks off at the Tutong Sports Complex on Friday and will run from 8-11am.
The Balapan Track & Field at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas will host the Brunei-Muara try-out on Saturday at 7pm.
The Mumong Sports Complex will be the venue for the Belait district trials from 2-6pm on Sunday while the Temburong Sports Complex will host the Temburong district trials from 3-6pm on Monday.
Interested footballers must be either Brunei citizens or permanent residents and must bring their identity cards with them to the trials.
The team’s manager Hj Feisal Hj Eusoff can be contacted at 8776655 for further details.
Hosts Brunei are the tournament’s defending champions after beating Indonesia 2-0 in 2012.

The Brunei Times

DPMM FC have ups and downs, InderaSC win Super League

Syarif Rasani

Bandar Seri Begawan

Thursday, December 26, 2013

AFTER coming second in the S-League last season, expectations were high for DPMM FC to go one better this year.
However Brunei’s only professional football team found it difficult this year to maintain the same level of consistency that saw them scale great heights last year.
The team finished the season eighth out of 12 teams, 21 points behind eventual champions Tampines Rovers. They managed 27 points after seven wins and six draws, with nine losses punctuating their patchy league form.
It was in the Singapore League Cup where DPMM FC, defending champions, found a welcome distraction. Putting together a run of strong performances, DPMM FC reached the final of the Singapore League Cup where they faced Balestier Khalsa on September 14.
However it wouldn’t end on a high note with Balestier going on to lift the trophy after a convincing 4-0 win.
In the Singapore Cup DPMM FC only managed to make their way past the first round of the Singapore Cup before being knocked out 5-4 on aggregate by Global FC of the Philippines.
The first leg at the Jalan Besar Stadium on July 24 ended 1-0 with Global edging DPMM FC before an epic 4-4 battle took place at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas on July 27.
Head coach Vjeran Simunic left the club at the culmination of the season and will be replaced by former English Premier League manager, Steve Kean. The former Blackburn manager signed a one-year contract with DPMM FC, while the club have also brought in defender Boric Raspudic from Bosnia, midfielders Roberto Alviz from Croatia and Joe Gamble from Ireland.
Brazilian Rodrigo Tosi will be the only import player staying at the club after he was given a contract extension.
Meanwhile, in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, Brunei's football squad had failed to advance past the group stages after failing to win a single game. Brunei crashed 7-0 to Vietnam, suffering 2-0 defeats to both Malaysia and Singapore, before finally finding the net in a 3-2 to Laos.
Group B’s Thailand eventually went on to the final and defeated Indonesia 1-0 to finish in first for a record 14 times.
In Brunei’s local football scene the DST Super League saw Indera Sports Club lift their first major title in their 30-year history.
Indera left it to the final day of the league to secure their win after defeating the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) 1-0 on March 10.
The win put them on par with MS ABDB at 22 points but Indera had their shooting boots on this season, and managed to edge ahead of the army’s top team with a total of 33 in goals to the armed forces’ 23.
Indera’s Azwan Ali Rahman was the league top scorer with 17 goals to his name.
Kiudang Mungkom FC defeated MEAC Realpower FC 3-1 to lift the 2013 You.C1000 Brunei Chinese League trophy on December 15.
Kiudang went into the game needing a win or a draw to top the seven team table to leap over Old Boyz FC.
Not only did Kiudang walk away as the champions but Liong Hong Ping was crowned the top scorer of the tournament with 10 goals.
Ping told The Brunei Times following the final, “It helped that I was playing with a good team and luckily all the balls came through the midfield to me and I just got lucky.”
“Honestly I just enjoyed all the games I played and treated them as friendly matches.
“I’ve actually got a knee injury right now, which is why I was a bit slow today and I honestly felt like my opening goal was lucky.
“I would also like to thank our sponsor Easyway,” added Ping.
The inaugural Brunei-Muara District Football Association (BMDFA) NBT Cup title was also another addition to the local football tournaments.
Menglait FC found themselves lifting the first title after defeating Plan Batu FC 3-0 to over throw Kasuka FC who were sitting on 14 points by one on the table.
As well as events for the local teams, there were also tournaments for the ministries.
The most recent saw the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) crown themselves champions of the 4th Piala Keputeraan Football Championship after they defeated the Ministry of Education 2-1 on December 6.
MoHA’s Muhd Maududi Hilmi Kasmi took the golden boot after scoring 15 goals in total during the tournament.

The Brunei Times