Change in venue for DPMM FC’s three S-League matches

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Saturday, February 28, 2015

DPMM FC’s first three matches of the Singapore League (S-League) will be played at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas due to clashes with the national team’s 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Chinese Taipei.
The season opener against Harimau Muda (Malaysian national Under-22 team) remains unchanged and is set for 8.15pm tomorrow.
However, DPMM FC’s March 7 game against Albirex Niigata FC (S) at the Jurong East Stadium in Singapore will now be played at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.
And instead of playing Young Lions (Singaporean national Under-23 team) at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore on March 11, DPMM FC’s third game will see them take on Home United FC at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium on March 21.
DPMM FC – who finished as runners-up to Warriors FC last season – were originally slated to host Home on March 18.
However, with the national team – the majority of whom play for DPMM FC – to play Chinese Taipei in the return leg of their 2018 World Cup first round qualifiers on March 17, the match has since been pushed forward. The first leg in Chinese Taipei is set for March 12, just one day after DPMM FC were originally set to play Young Lions.
It is understood DPMM FC asked the Football Association of Singapore to shift the dates. The S-League fixture list was finalised late last month but the draw for the World Cup qualifiers was only carried out on Feb 10.
“It’s good that they managed to change the dates as we’ll need a good start as possible to the season,” DPMM FC captain Rosmin Hj Mohd Kamis told The Brunei Times yesterday.
DPMM FC’s next three games will be all played in Singapore before they return to the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in May.
DPMM FC face Balestier Khalsa FC on May 1 and Tampines Rovers FC on May 10. The Singapore League Cup will run from June 19-July 10 and the Singapore Cup from May 20 to Nov 27.
Brunei, who will be led by Mike Wong Mun Heng for the World Cup qualifiers, last attempted to qualify for the 2002 edition in South Korea and Japan - losing all six of their games against Yemen, the United Arab Emirates and India.

The Brunei Times

Brunei set for three tournaments

bandar seri begawan

Friday, February 27, 2015

BRUNEI will once again have the chance to see where they stand on the regional stage after the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) confirmed the country’s participation in this year’s AFF Futsal Championships and the Under-19 and Under-16 Championships.
The AFF Council met in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, where it was revealed that the two junior tournaments will have the participation of all 12 AFF members – the 10 ASEAN states plus Timor Leste and Australia - for the first time. Except for Cambodia, all other members will be lacing up in the AFF Futsal Championships. The AFF’s website stated that all three tournaments will be held in Indonesia, with the AFF Futsal Championships set for Oct 8-18 in Jakarta, the Under-19 Championships set for Aug 22-Sept 4 in Sidoarjo and the Under-16 Championships set for July 27-Aug 7 in Solo.
After finishing bottom of their group with the worst goal difference the last time the country competed in the three tournaments, there is nowhere but up for this year’s teams.
Brunei have been placed in Group A with titleholders and 10-time champions Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Timor Leste in the Futsal Championships, with Group B comprised of Australia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Brunei were one of the five countries which took part in the inaugural AFF Futsal Championships held in Kuala Lumpur in 2001 along with hosts Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore - who are making a return to the meet after a 13-year break.
This year’s AFF Futsal Championships will also be used as the qualifiers for the AFC Futsal Championship in 2016, with the top three teams will make the cut for the AFC event to be held in China.
Meanwhile, the Under-16 tournament has Brunei grouped with defending champions Malaysia, Laos, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam in Group A. Group B comprises of hosts Indonesia, Australia, Cambodia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Singapore
The Under-19 groupings have yet to be announced.
Brunei did not take part in the Under-19 and Under-16 events last year but were among the 10 countries at last year’s Futsal Championships in Kuala Lumpur.
However, the most pressing tournament the country is preparing for at the moment is the two-legged World Cup qualifier against Chinese Taipei.
Brunei, who will be led by Mike Wong Mun Heng, take on Chinese Taipei on March 12, with the second leg to be played in Brunei on March 17.
Meanwhile, the AFF website also reported National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) President HRH Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah has been extended one of the two remaining positions for AFF vice-president ahead of the April 25 elections.
AFF announced they would support incumbents Honourable Francisco Kalbuadi Lay (Timor Leste) and Maj. Gen Khiev Sameth (Cambodia) to continue as two of the four AFF vice-presidents, with HRH Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah and Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) chairman Datuk Sri’ Prof. Dr. Ir Djohar Arifin Hussin having been extended the two remaining positions.
The website reported that AFF President HRH Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah has received the overwhelming support of the AFF to lead the regional body for another term after receiving the unanimous backing of the 12 members.
The meeting was the AFF Council’s 14th meeting for the 2011/2015 term.

The Brunei Times

DPMM FC all set for new season

Hafizan Hisham

Bandar Seri Begawan

Thursday, February 26, 2015

DPMM FC are in fine form ahead of their season-opening Singapore League (S-League) game against Harimau Muda (Malaysian national Under-22 team) on Sunday.
Brunei’s only professional football club gathered at the Jerudong Mini Stadium yesterday for their team photo for the 2015 season with His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince, Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and DPMM FC chairman.
Speaking to The Brunei Times after the photo op, DPMM FC team manager Ali Hj Momin said he hopes the club can improve on their performance last season when they finished as S-League runners-up, Singapore League Cup champions and claimed third in the Singapore Cup.

“Our target is to become the S-League and Singapore Cup champions as we have never won those titles before,” said Ali in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.
The club have signed three new foreign players this season; English forward Craig Fagan, Northern Ireland defender Brian McLean and Brazilian striker Rafael Ramazotti.
They join Irish midfielder Joe Gamble and Bosnian defender Boris Raspudic as the team's five imports for the new S-League season. When asked about the new import players, Ali replied: “We will have to see in their first match this Sunday.
“It is different to play in a competitive match (compared to) normal friendly matches. Due to their height advantage, I feel that the import players can help us to score and defend set pieces.
“Last season we conceded many goals from set pieces due to our players’ height,” added the manager.
Striker Shahrazen Said echoed his manager’s comments, saying that he hopes the club can top the S-League, retain the League Cup and make the Singapore Cup final.
“As a striker my job is to score for my team. I also have a target of how many goals I want to score, but it depends on the number of matches I play,” he said.
“About the new import players, I can see there is a quality that Rafael and Fagan can give to our attack. Rafael has his height advantage while Fagan has experience playing in the English Premier League,” answered the striker when asked about new import players.
Commenting on the new local young players, Shahrazen said: “I’m surprised they have quickly adapt to our playing style as our previous players needed longer time. I believe one or two of them can play in the first-11 this season.” Shahrazen’s younger brother, Adi, also shared his brother’s hopes.
“My target for this season is the same as Shahrazen, but I really hope that we don’t repeat last season’s S-League performance where we lost the league title at the very last match,” said the striker.
“I do not set any scoring targets but I hope that I will be given trust to play more games this season,” he answered when asked about his goal scoring target this season.
Adi also hoped that the import players can help the local players and lead the club to more success this season.
Md Suhandi Hj Awang Mahali, who joins as a new goalkeeper, is hoping that he can improve his performance.
“I hope that I can improve and give healthy competition to the other goalkeepers,” said the goalkeeper who played for the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) for seven years.
When asked about Steve Kean’s training regime, he replied: “It is hard compared to my training at MS ABDB, but I’m okay with it.”
The match against Harimau Muda is set for 8.15pm at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
They then face Albirex Niigata FC (S) at the Jurong East Stadium in Singapore on March 7 and Young Lions (Singaporean national Under-23 team) at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore on March 11.

The Brunei Times

Rimba Star held by BESA

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

bandar seri begawan

Saturday, February 21, 2015

RIMBA Star were held to a 2-2 draw by 10-man BESA FC in the DST Premier League at the Berakas Sports Complex last night.
BESA were reduced to 10 men early in the second half when Mohammad Azmi was red carded following a dangerous tackle on Rimba Star player.
“We could have won tonight but my players were panicked and were very wasteful…We could have scored two to three more goals,” said Rimba Star manager Yassin Hj Mohd Noor in an interview with The Brunei Times after the match.
“Obviously we need to work hard, especially on our finishing. There are nine more matches to go and I hope that we can perform better in our coming matches,” he added.
Meanwhile, BESA manager/caoch Hj Mesli Hj Dullah was happy to walk away with one point from the match.
“We dominated the first half and we also managed to score in the second half after being reduced to 10 players… Overall I think we played very well,” said Hj Mesli.
“Rimba wasted a lot of chances tonight and they could have won, so I am very happy with the draw,” he added.
Both teams started strongly in the first half but it was BESA who found the net first when Mohd Nurhafiz Hj Abdul Wahab was brought down inside the penalty box by a Rimba Star defender.
Syamra Hj Zaini converted the penalty to put BESA 1-0 ahead in the 25th minute.
BESA were throwing their players forward after the first goal as they were looking to increase the lead before the break, but it was Rimba Star who found the net as they were awarded a penalty after BESA goalkeeper Amizul Fazri Kifli brought down Mohd Qamaruluddin Abdul Rahim inside the penalty area.
Mohd Khalil Hj Ahmad Kamil stepped up to take the penalty and put Rimba Star level 1-1 in the 38th minute.
Abdul Azim Hj Safri should have put BESA ahead again just a minute later when he was set one-on-one with the Rimba Star goalkeeper Hj Nursukryzal Hj Abdul Wahab, but the midfielder fired the ball over the bar.
In the second-half Mohammad Azmi was red carded for bringing down a Rimba Star player inside the penalty box and captain Ahmad Hafiz Said went on to convert the penalty in the 56th minute to put Rimba Star 2-1 ahead.
But their celebrations were shortlived when BESA equalised just a minute later through Syamra.
The competition tonight with a match between Setia Perdana and Kota Rangers at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.
Kick-off is at 8:15pm.

The Brunei Times

DPMM FC players, sponsors sign contracts for new season

Hafizan Hisham

Bandar Seri Begawan

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

THREE new foreign players were among the team of 25 that inked their names onto DPMM FC contracts yesterday for the new Singapore League (S-League) season.
English forward Craig Fagan, Northern Ireland defender Brian McLean and Brazilian striker Rafael Ramazotti join Irish midfielder Joe Gamble and Bosnian defender Boris Raspudic as the team’s five imports for the campaign which kicks off on March 1.
The signing ceremony at the Red Jade Room, Centrepoint Hotel in Gadong was witnessed by YAM Pg Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pg Anak Haji Abdul Rahim Pengiran Indera Mahkota Pg Anak (Dr) Kemaludin Al-Haj, DPMM FC vice-chairman, with representatives from eight companies also signing on the dotted line.
Fagan, McLean and Ramazotti are replacing last season’s top-scorer Brazilian striker Rodrigo Tosi, Irish forward Roy O’Donovan and Croatian midfielder Roberto Alviz.
Fagan, 32, was previously at League One (English third-tier) side Gillingham FC but spent most of his career playing for Hull City from 2005-2007 and from 2008-2010 when they were in the English Premier League.
McLean, 29, has played for Falkirk, Dundee United and Ross County in the top-tier Scottish Premiership while Ramazotti, 26, last laced up for J-League Division 3 side Gainare Tottori last year.
A press release from his agent said that Fagan has made a total of 80 appearances for EPL sides Birmingham City, Hull City and Derby County and has scored against the likes of Fulham, West Bromwich Albion, Bolton Wanderers, Manchester United and Manchester City.
Speaking to the media, Fagan said he was pleased with the standard showed in the squad which finished as runners-up to Warriors FC last season.
“I really enjoy playing with this team. The standard here is really good and with the addition (of new players) we have this year, I hope we can make a push for the championship this season,” he said.
When asked about working with former Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean, he replied: “It is good to work with an English manager and I am looking forward to every session.
“I’ve never played in Asia before, but I’ve watched football in all continents and I am looking forward to playing here,” added Fagan.
McLean, who knew about DPMM FC after having a conversation with Kean, also does not have any experience playing in Asia.
But like Fagan, his aim is to win titles at DPMM FC.
“This team is really fantastic and our preparation was really good,” said the defender.
“The challenge for me here is the climate and I still have to adapt to it. My ultimate goal is to win the league and cup with the team,” he added.
Ramazotti, who played in J-League Division 3 side Gainare Tottori last year, is also happy to play in Brunei.
“They (the players) are very good guys and I also like the city here,” said Ramazotti.
When asked about the weather here, he responded: “I don’t have a problem with the weather here since it is almost the same as in Brazil.”
Representatives from Mitsubishi Corporation, Maju Motors Sdn Bhd, Brunei Shell Marketing Company Sdn Bhd, DST Group, Royal Brunei Airlines, Hertz, Hui Huang Enterprise and Sports Partnership Pte Ltd also signed on as sponsors.
DPMM FC’s first S-League match is against Harimau Muda (Malaysian national Under-22 team) at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas on March 1.
Two away matches await them next, Albirex Niigata FC (S) at the Jurong East Stadium on March 7 and Young Lions (Singaporean national Under-23 team) at the Jalan Besar Stadium on March 11.

The Brunei Times

Press Release: Former Hull City forward, Craig Fagan joins Bruneian side, DPMM FC for 2015 S-League season‏

Dear all,

We are pleased to announce that our client, Craig Fagan (see attached CV) has joined S-League invitational side, Brunei DPMM FC for the 2015 season.  The English Premier League (EPL) player is set to become one of the highest profile foreign players of the S-League since its inception 20 years ago.   

"I am very happy and excited to have signed for DPMM FC and cannot wait for the season to begin. I will like to thank my representatives, Trebol Sports International for securing this move on my behalf and the club for keeping faith in my abilities."

Craig has made a total of 80 appearances for EPL sides, Birmingham City, Hull City and Derby County and has scored against the likes of Fulham, West Bromwich Albion, Bolton Wanderers, Manchester United and Manchester City.  

He hopes his signing can inject a breath of fresh air and pull in more crowd for the S-League this season.

"I have seen some games from the S-league in the past and I am hoping to bring more attention to it by playing well this season.   I have been thinking about making a move to Asia during the last couple of years.  I have some friends who have played in various leagues in Asia and they have only good things to say about Asian football. When my representatives informed me of this opportunity, it did not take me long for me to accept it."

The versatile forward who could feature as an out-and-out striker or winger was very impressed with his first visit to Brunei, in particularly DPMM FC.  

"During my first visit to the club, I was very surprised by the high standard of training and stadium facilities.  The management team and the players made me feel welcome and instantly, I knew this is the kind of club I want to play for."

With the season starting in 2 weeks' time, the EPL star has wasted little time setting his targets and priorities for the season.

"My target for the team will be to achieve more than the season before and that means we should be gunning for the championship.  Personally, I want to help the team in all ways I can to achieve this- be it scoring goals, providing assists or passing my EPL experience to my team mates.  As long as we pull in one direction together, I do not see why we cannot pull off two or three trophies."

www.trebolsports.net

DST Premier League set to kick off tomorrow

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh




BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN


Friday, February 13, 2015





THE DST Premier League 2015 season will kick off tomorrow night with two matches.

Brunei Shell Recreational Club Football Team (BSRC FT) will go up against Tunas FC at the Tutong Sports Complex while Kota Ranger will face Pancur Murai FC at the Berakas Sports Complex at the same time.

Capping off the week’s action will be Menglait FC and Kasuka FC, who go head-to-head on Sunday at the Tutong Sports Complex.

All three matches are scheduled to start at 8:15pm, and the complete fixtures for the league are available at the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam’s (NFABD) website at www.nfabd.org.

This year sees an increase in participation from eight teams to 11. BSRC FT, Perkasa FC, Setia Perdana, Kota Ranger, Rimba Star and Tunas FC are the returning teams in this season, with Menglait FC, Kasuka FC, Pancur Murai FC, Besa FC and Tebuan Under-18 newcomers.

Lun Bawang were crowned the champions last year ending their campaign with their 100 per cent win record, defeating Tunas FC 3-2 at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas in their final game on May 17.

The Temburong district based club kicked off their campaign with a 3-1 win over IKLS and edged Brunei Shell Recreational (BSRC) FT 3-2 in the second game before defeating Perkasa 2-1.

Lun Bawang continued their great form with a 3-1 win over Setia Perdana before cruising past Kota Rangers 3-0, following that up with a 4-3 win over Rimba Star.

Lun Bawang have now been promoted to the first-tier DST Super League this year, and they will be joined by last year’s DST Premier League runners-up IKLS.

NFABD announced earlier this month that the DST Super League, which was slated to start this month, has now been postponed to early April.

The decision to do so is thought to be the involvement of some of the DST Super League players in international competitions next month - the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Under-23 Championship 2016 Qualifiers in Indonesia, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers and the first round of the Preliminary Joint Qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Preliminary Competition.

Defending champions Indera SC, Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB), Najip FC, Wijaya FC, Jerudong FC, the Royal Brunei Police Force Sports Council (MS PDB), Kilanas FC, Lun Bawang, IKLS and Tebuan Muda (the national Under-23 football team) will battle for the top honours in the DST Super League this year.

The Brunei Times

DPMM FC eyeing import trio

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Friday, February 13, 2015

DPMM FC’s import search is almost over.
The club’s official website yesterday stated they are looking to sign the trio of English forward Craig Fagan, Northern Ireland defender Brian McLean and Brazilian striker Rafael Ramazotti.
The signing of the three will complete the club’s import quota which will include the duo of Irish midfielder Joe Gamble and Bosnian defender Boris Raspudic who were retained from last season.
However, the list will only be official after players put pen to paper in a signing ceremony on Monday.
Fagan, 32, last played for League One (English third-tier) side Gillingham FC before being released at the end of the 2013-14 season.
The forward spent most of his career playing for Hull City from 2005-2007 and from 2008-2010 when they were playing in the English Premier League.
McLean, 29, mostly played in Scotland - having laced up for the likes of Falkirk, Dundee United and Ross County in the top-tier Scottish Premiership.
Ramazotti, 26, is the only one out of the three who has experience playing in Asia.
He played in Brazil early on in his career before heading to Europe (Portugal and Switzerland). His last stop was in Japan where he laced up for J-League Division 3 side Gainare Tottori last year.
DPMM FC released the trio of Singapore League (S-League) topscorer Brazilian striker Rodrigo Tosi, Irish forward Roy O’Donovan and Croatian midfielder Roberto Alviz at the end of last season.
Brunei’s only professional team made no changes to their import line-up last season and finished runners-up in the S-League, champions of the Singapore League Cup and were third in the Singapore Cup – their best season to date.
DPMM FC will kick off their S-League campaign against Harimau Muda at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas on March 1.
However, their pre-season has been less than ideal after losing all three friendly games against Thai sides last week.
Ramazott was on the scoresheet in the 4-2 loss to Thai Division 1 side (second-tier) Air Force Central FC in their first match last Wednesday. DPMM FC were then edged 1-0 by another Thai Division 1 side Bangkok FC in their second game on Saturday.
They completed their Thai stint by falling 2-1 to Thailand Premier League outfit Suphanburi FC.

The Brunei Times

Kean focusing on positives

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, February 12, 2015

STEVE Kean is trying to focus on the positives despite DPMM FC losing all three of their pre-season matches in Thailand.
Brunei’s only professional team slipped to a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Thai Division 1 side (second-tier) Air Force Central FC in their first match at the Thupathamee Stadium last Wednesday.
They were then edged 1-0 by another Thai Division 1 side Bangkok FC in their second game on Saturday and completed their Thai stint by falling 2-1 to Thailand Premier League outfit Suphanburi FC at the Suphanburi Stadium on Monday.
However, DPMM FC coach Kean said the club got exactly what they bargained for as the main aim of the trip was to test the players ahead of their Singapore (S-League) opener against Harimau Muda on March 1.
“The idea of going (to Thailand) was to get the most competitive games… before some teams start their season,” said Kean in an interview with The Brunei Times when met after yesterday’s training session at the Jerudong Mini Stadium.
“The Thailand season starts on Saturday and the teams are fully prepared
“It was much better to play and stretch ourselves against them. We had other invitations to go to other parts of the world but we felt this was the best option so we can learn much more about our team.
“If we played a lesser team and won by a big margin, we won’t really be able to push ourselves defensively and physically.
“The biggest thing is that we know what we need to work on before our campaign starts to ensure that we are ready.
“We were competitive against three very good sides and we gradually got better with the games,” continued the Scotsman, who helped the club finish second in the S-League in his debut season last year.

New players impress
The latest inclusions into the squad – Md Khairul Anwar Abd Rahim, Reduan Hj Petara, Ak Yura Indera Putera Pg Yunos and Md Aminuddin Zakwan Tahir – managed to impress the former Blackburn Rovers manager.
“I never like to single anyone out, but again like last year, the youngest lads were excellent,” said Kean.
“They are capable of starting the first match. It is not a case where they are young but they are pushing the most experienced players on the team to start the season.
“There is good competition and it creates a nice environment where everyone’s got to be on their toes. Anyone in the squad can play the first game,” continued the 47-year-old.

World Cup qualifiers
Kean also said he was aware that the dates for the first round of qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup will clash with DPMM FC’s S-League schedule.
Brunei were drawn against Chinese-Taipei during Tuesday’s draw, and the national team will play the away fixture on March 12 and the home game on March 17 – with the bulk of the team sure to be drawn from DPMM FC, who are slated to take on the Young Lions (Singapore national Under-23 football team) on March 11 and Home United FC on March 18.
“We will talk to FAS (Football Association of Singapore) to see if we can postpone our games,” said Kean.
“We want the country to do well and we wouldn’t want to play (in the S-League) when half the team is away,” he concluded.
DPMM FC have yet to fill up the five-player import quota, with only the duo of Irish midfielder Joe Gamble and Bosnian defender Boris Raspudic retained from last season.
Ivory Coast striker Lasina Soro is the latest player on trial with the club and was with the team in Thailand.
Brazilian striker Rafael Ramazotti – who scored against Air Force Central FC - is the only other foreign player still on trial with the Brunei side .
The club released last season’s top-scorer Rodrigo Tosi , Irish forward Roy O’Donovan and Roberto Alviz at the end of last year’s successful campaign.
Apart from guiding DPMM FC to second in the S-League last season, Kean also helped the club to their record third Singapore League Cup and a third-place finish in the Singapore Cup - making last year’s season their best one to date.
In a previous interview, Kean said the target is to win all three titles this year.

The Brunei Times

2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers : Brunei vs Chinese Taipei !

Kuala Lumpur: Twelve Asian nations discovered their opponents for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and 2019 AFC Asian Cup Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 on Tuesday.

Asia’s 12 lowest ranked sides – India, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Cambodia, Chinese Taipei, Timor Leste (ranked 35th to 40th by FIFA), Nepal, Macau, Pakistan, Mongolia, Brunei and Bhutan (ranked 41st to 46th by FIFA) – were involved in the draw at AFC House, with the India versus Nepal encounter arguably the pick of the six ties decided.

Always a keenly contested affair, the meeting of the two South Asian nations will have an added dimension in the form of returning India head coach Stephen Constantine who was in charge of Nepal from 1999 until 2001.

Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 Draw

India v Nepal
Yemen v Pakistan
Timor-Leste v Mongolia
Cambodia v Macau
Chinese Taipei v Brunei DS
Sri Lanka v Bhutan

The dozen hopefuls will now meet on March 12 and 17 as they attempt to progress to the next stage of qualifying, while the games will also see the Asian Football Confederation become the first governing body to begin qualifying for FIFA's global extravaganza in Russia.

The six winners will advance to Round 2 where the 34 highest ranked teams await. The 40 nations will be drawn into eight groups of five teams and compete according to a double round robin format.

The Round 2 qualification matches will be held from June 11, 2015 to March 29, 2016.

The group winners and four best runners-up (total 12 teams) will advance to the 2019 Asian Cup finals and the final round of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

The next best 24 teams from the preliminary stage of the joint qualifiers will compete in a separate competition for the remaining slots (12 slots or 11 slots + 1 slot for the host) in the 24-team 2019 Asian Cup finals.

afc.com

DPMM FC lose again

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, February 8, 2015

DPMM FC succumbed to their second straight loss after falling 1-0 to Thai Division 1 side Bangkok FC in a pre-season friendly game last night.
Brazilian striker Franklin Vicente netted the only goal in the first half to separate the two sides at the 72nd Anniversary Stadium in Thailand.
Brunei’s only professional team had suffered 4-2 to another Thai Division 1 side Air Force Central FC on Wednesday at the Thupatamee Stadium.
On-trial Brazilian striker Rafael Ramazotti and Helmi Zambin both got on the scoresheet for DPMM FC in the defeat.
DPMM FC will complete their Thailand stint with a meeting against Thai Premier League outfits Suphanburi FC on Monday before returning to the Sultanate.
DPMM FC will kick off their Singapore League (S-League) campaign against Harimau Muda on March 1 at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.

The Brunei Times

Titleholders no problem with postponement

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Friday, February 6, 2015

INDERA Sports Club (SC) manager Rosdin Hj Abdul Aziz agrees with the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam’s (NFABD) decision to postpone the DST Super League.
Slated to begin this month, NFABD announced on Wednesday that the DST Super League has now been postponed to early April, the decision to do so thought to be the involvement of some of the DST Super League players in international competitions.
Defending champions Indera SC have more than half of their first team players in the national squad, and they are currently preparing for next month’s first round of the Preliminary Joint Qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Preliminary Competition and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers.
Another tournament the country’s players will be involved in the coming months is the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Under-23 Championship 2016 Qualifiers in Indonesia.
The Sultanate has been drawn in Group H and will be up against hosts Indonesia, South Korea and Timor Leste at the March 23-31 qualifiers.
“We totally support NFABD’s decision to postpone the league to April,” said Rosdin in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.
“The decision is totally fair for the clubs who have a number of players representing the national team… In our case, more than half of our first team players are in the national squad and we might struggle to maintain our form against the other teams in the league without these players.
“Moreover, we need the players to fulfill their duty as national player and concentrate on it. We are on the same boat as NFABD on this.
“At the same time, we will also take this chance to improve our fitness before the league starts in April, and we are also planning to have a number of friendlies to maintain our form,” added the manager.
Meanwhile, the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) manager Major Pg Farisan Pg Metassan said that the postponement had affected the team’s spirit.
“For us (MS ABDB) we have no problem with the decision, but of course, it affects a bit of our drive as we were looking forward to play this month,” said Major Pg Farisan.
“But again, for us, it is not really a big deal and we just have to go with it… For now, we will concentrate on preparing our team,” he added.
Indera SC clinched the DST Sumbangsih Cup on Jan24 after a 2-0 victory over MS ABDB at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas in the traditional curtain-raiser to the local football season.
Najip FC, Wijaya FC, Jerudong FC, the Royal Brunei Police Force Sports Council (MS PDB), Kilanas FC, Lun Bawang, IKLS and Tebuan Muda (the national Under-23 football team) are the other teams that will be competing in the national elite league.
Indera finished the nine-team Super League with 43 points ahead of MS ABDB with 37 points last season.
The former won 14 games, lost one and drew one. They scored a total of 51 goals and only conceded 14 throughout the campaign.
According to a previous report in The Brunei Times, the second-tier DST Premier League is scheduled to begin next Saturday.
The tournament will see an increase in participation with a total of 11 competing for top honours, up from eight in the previous year.
BSRC (Brunei Shell Recreation Club) FT, Perkasa FC, Setia Perdana, Kota Ranger, Rimba Star and Tunas FC are the returning teams.
Menglait FC, Kasuka FC, Pancur Murai FC, Besa FC and Tebuan Under-18 are the newcomers for the DST Premier League.

The Brunei Times

DST Super League postponed

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, February 5, 2015

DST Super League fans will just have to wait a little longer for the league to start after the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) announced yesterday that the competition has been pushed back to early April.
The postponement of the Super League might be due to players from the clubs getting call ups for the national squad as the Wasps prepare for the first round of the Preliminary Joint Qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Preliminary Competition and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers next month.
The DST Super League was initially slated to begin this month after the national football season started on Jan 24 with the 2015 DST Sumbangsih Cup, which Indera SC clinched after a 2-0 victory over the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
Apart from the two-time defending champions Indera and two-time DST FA Cup defending champions MS ABDB, Najip FC, Wijaya FC, Jerudong FC, the Royal Brunei Police Force Sports Council (MS PDB) and Kilanas FC are the returning teams from last season.
Lun Bawang and IKLS are the two teams that were promoted from the DST Premier League while Tebuan Muda (the national Under-23 football team) are set to make their debut in the Super League.
The Tebuan Muda squad is headed by NFABD coach Stephen Ng Heng Seng as they are currently gearing up for the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Under-23 Championship 2016 Qualifiers in Indonesia from March 23-31.
Indera finished the nine-team Super League with 43 points ahead of MS ABDB with 37 points last season.
The former won 14 games, lost one and drew one. They scored a total of 51 goals and only conceded 14 throughout the campaign.
Meanwhile, the second-tier DST Premier League is scheduled to begin next Saturday.
The tournament will see an increase in participation with a total of 11 competing for top honours, up from eight in the previous year.
BSRC (Brunei Shell Recreation Club) FT, Perkasa FC, Setia Perdana, Kota Ranger, Rimba Star and Tunas FC are the returning teams.
Menglait FC, Kasuka FC, Pancur Murai FC, Besa FC and Tebuan Under-18 are the newcomers for the Premier League.
The fixtures will be released in the near future and can be obtained from www.nfabd.org.

The Brunei Times

DPMM FC fall to Thai side

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, February 5, 2015

DPMM FC suffered a 4-2 loss at the hands of Thai Division 1 side Air Force Central FC in a pre-season friendly match yesterday.
On-trial Brazilian striker Rafael Ramazotti and Helmi Zambin (pic) both got on the scoresheet for DPMM FC at the Thupatamee Stadium in Thailand.
Brunei’s only professional team will take on another Division 1 side – Bangkok FC – in another friendly on Saturday.
Their toughest test will be against Thai Premier League outfits Suphanburi FC two days later before returning to the Sultanate.
A total of 23 players travelled to the Thai capital including new faces — Md Khairul Anwar Abd Rahim, Reduan Hj Petara, Ak Yura Indera Putera Pg Yunos and Md Aminuddin Zakwan Tahir.
DPMM FC will kick off their Singapore League (S-League) campaign against Harimau Muda on March 1 at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.

U-23s set for AFC tourney

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

THE national Under-23 football team are in the later stages of preparation for the upcoming AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Under-23 Championship 2016 Qualifiers, with the squad starting intensive training yesterday after moving to the Sungai Kebun Sports Complex.
“We hope that we can put in as much work as possible over the next three weeks, especially at the defensive end and also on our transition play,” said coach Stephen Ng Heng Seng in an interview with The Brunei Times when met on Monday.
“We are not a very strong team but I believe that we have been working harder than the rest. Neighbouring countries have their teams based overseas,” he added.
“There are some players who are playing with DPMM FC. We don’t have to worry too much about them as long as they are training,” continued Ng.
The team are also eyeing to play some friendly matches in Thailand in early March as well.
The Sultanate have been drawn in Group H and will be up against hosts Indonesia, South Korea and Timor Leste at the March 23-31 event.
Brunei did not enter a team for the previous qualifiers two years ago which was formerly known as the AFC U-22 Championship 2013.
The 10 group winners and five best second-placed teams from all groups will qualify for the tournament proper, where hosts Qatar await.
The AFC U-23 Championship 2016 will act as the Olympics qualifiers in every alternate edition.
The top three teams from the 2016 edition will represent Asia at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
Brunei set up the squad back in September when they attended a two-week training camp in Japan.
They had their first test at the 8th BIMP-EAGA (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area) Friendship Games in Labuan back in December, where they lost out on the bronze medal after slipping to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Sarawak in the third-place playoff.
The side will also be the kept together for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games to be contested in Singapore in June.
The National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) have a packed scheduled with the confirmation that Brunei will be competing in the first round of the Preliminary Joint Qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Preliminary Competition and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers next month.
The Wasps will be under stand-in national coach Mike Wong Mun Heng, who is also the NFABD technical director.
Players have already been identified and brought together after the Sultanate registered for the qualifiers in mid December last year.
Brunei have been placed in Pot 2 together with Nepal, Macau, Pakistan, Mongolia and Bhutan.
They will only find out who their opponents from Pot 1 – India, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Cambodia, Chinese Taipei and Timor Leste – are at the draw to be conducted in Kuala Lumpur next Tuesday.
Brunei will play the away fixture on March 12 and the home match will be contested five days later.

The Brunei Times

Brunei to compete in World Cup qualifiers

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

BRUNEI are on the road to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

FIFA recently confirmed that for the first time in the history of the World Cup, all 209 member associations have registered for its preliminary competition – which in Asia, also serves as the qualifiers for the 2019 Asian Cup.

National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) general secretary Hj Muhd Zamri Dato Paduka Hj Hamdani yesterday told The Brunei Times that the national football team will be competing in the first round of the Preliminary Joint Qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Preliminary Competition and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers next month.

Stand-in national coach Mike Wong Mun Heng, who is also NFABD’s Technical Director, knows that time is limited - but he is hoping to get the best from his players.

“We only started training just over a week ago without the professional players (DPMM FC players),” said Wong (pic) in an interview with The Brunei Times last night.

“We are looking at the best players, not only in terms of skill but attitude and commitment as well.

“The main thing we need to work on is the fitness so that they can stay sharp as most players were on a break during the offseason,” he concluded.

The first round will consist of 12 teams (ranked 35-46 as per latest FIFA ranking on January 8, 2015) and Brunei are currently ranked 45th – second lowest – in the AFC.

They are placed in Pot 2 together with Nepal, Macau, Pakistan, Mongolia and Bhutan.

The draw will be conducted in Kuala Lumpur next Tuesday, and they will face a team from Pot 1 - India, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Cambodia, Chinese Taipei or Timor Leste.

Brunei will play the away fixture on March 12 and the home match will be contested five days later.

The winners of the six pairings will advance to the second round to join the 34 highest ranked teams.

The teams will then be drawn into eight groups of five. The group winner and four runner-up teams – 12 teams in total – will advance to the Asian Cup 2019 Finals and World Cup Qualifiers Final Round.

The remaining 24 teams will continue with qualification into Asian Cup 2019 Finals.

There are currently over 30 players shortlisted for the national squad, with 13 of them plying their trade with DPMM FC.

A total of 20 players – selected from their performance in the DST Super League – were spotted at training last night at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.

Wong will select 23 players for the squad.
Brunei’s last attempt to qualify for the World Cup was for the 2002 edition in South Korea and Japan, where they lost all six of their games against Yemen, the United Arab Emirates and India in 2001.
Brunei went down 5-0 and 1-0 to Yemen, 12-0 and 4-0 to the United Arab Emirates and 1-0 and 5-0 to India in the two-legged home and away qualifiers.

The Brunei Times

DPMM FC set for Thai friendlies

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, February 1, 2015

DPMM FC are set for some pre-season action next week in Thailand.
The Sultanate’s only professional team have three friendly matches lined up as part of their preparations for the upcoming Singapore League (S-League) opener against Harimau Muda on March 1 at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
They will go up against Thai Division 1 side Air Force Central FC in the first friendly on February 4.
DPMM FC will then face off against another Division 1 side – Bangkok FC – three days later.
Their toughest test will be against Thai Premier League outfits Suphanburi FC on February 9.
A total of 23 players will travel to the Thai capital including new faces — Md Khairul Anwar Abd Rahim, Reduan Hj Petara, Ak Yura Indera Putera Pg Yunos and Md Aminuddin Zakwan Tahir.
DPMM FC coach Steve Kean believes that the matches will be a good indicator of their progress and is a good opportunity for the new inclusions.
“It is always good to have competition, but the most important is our preparation in getting us ready for the first league game at home,” said Kean in an interview with The Brunei Times after a training session at the Jerudong Mini Stadium yesterday.
“We have been training for four weeks now and it is nice to play some games at the end of the fifth week.
“So far we have only been playing against each other in training. Now we get to try different opposition and try out what we have been working on,” he added.
“The games will give us an indication on things we have to work on and what we are good at.
“It is also good for the younger players who were not involved last year to be integrated in the team. Going away will help get them to bond with the other players,” continued the Scotsman.
DPMM FC have had 13 foreign players on trial but only Brazilian striker Rafael Ramazotti remain in the Sultanate.
Irish midfielder Joe Gamble and Bosnian defender Boris Raspudic are the only two returning imports from last season.
Team manager Ali Hj Momin revealed that two more players – Lebanese international Hussain Awada and Ivory Coast striker Lasina Soro — are set to come for trial and will make the trip to Thailand
“We already have an idea on which imports we want but we are expecting two more players to come on trial and join us in Thailand,” said Ali.
“I also hope that the new (locals) players will be able to show something to the coach and try to fight their way into position in the team,” he added.
The team will depart the Sultanate on Tuesday.
DPMM FC’s first away game in the S-League will be on March 7 against Albirex Niigata FC (S) at the Jurong East Stadium in Singapore before going up against the Young Lions (Singapore national Under-23 team) four days later at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
The S-League runners-up will then host Home United FC in their last match of the month on March 18.

The Brunei Times