SEA Games : Brunei vs Laos live

Brunei 1-2 Laos

Brunei face Laos tonight

Yee Chun Leong

SINGAPORE

Sunday, May 31, 2015

TABUAN Muda (the national under-23 football team) are looking to bounce back against Laos in Group B of the 28th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games today at the Bishan Stadium.
Brunei were on par with Vietnam in the first half of the opener to trail only by one goal before conceding five in the second half to lose 6-0 on Friday.
Ng assures that the boys have moved on and that they are looking forward to the upcoming match.
“I think we have shown that we can do it over the first 45 minutes. Unfortunately we lost it a bit and the concentration went in the last 25 minutes,” said Ng after a training session at the Nanyang Polytechnic yesterday.
“They thought they could get forward a little bit more but instead got punished. They need to stay disciplined throughout the game.
“They are still in confident mood now. It was a game of two halves (against Vietnam) as we didn’t do well in second half,” he added.
“This is a chance for us to put things right. We are trying to get the team to be more focus and see if we can do it for 90 minutes. I still have confidence they can put up a good show,” continued the Singaporean.
When asked on which area requires improvement, Ng replied: “One thing we have to learn is how to cope with the intensity of game. A lot of them are not used to playing in this high intensity for 90 minutes.
“We will need them to concentrate better and have more desire. This is the only chance that we have,” he added.
Brunei failed to put a shot on target against Vietnam with their best chance coming two minutes before halftime.
Azwan Ali Rahman provided a free-kick from 20 yards out into the box – but Md Hanif Hamir put it wide.
Ng is hopeful that they can get on the scoresheet against Laos.
“Laos are not in the same class as Vietnam. Against Laos, we will work hard to create opening in the attacking third and hope to get a few shots in to score,” concluded Ng.
The two teams played out to a 2-2 draw back in 2011 while Laos won the last meeting edging the Sultanate 3-2 two years ago.
Kick off is at 8.30pm.

The Brunei Times

Another loss to Vietnam

Yee Chun Leong

SINGAPORE

Saturday, May 30, 2015

TABUAN Muda (the national Under-23 football team) faded in the second half to suffer a 6-0 beating at the hands of Vietnam in the Group B opener of the 28th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games yesterday.
The result should come as no surprise as it follows their 8-0 defeat to Vietnam at the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia and 7-0 loss at the 2013 Games in Myanmar.
The Sultanate were under heavy fire but managed to only trail 1-0 at halftime before conceding five in the second half at the Bishan Stadium.
The day’s other game saw titleholders Thailand beat Laos 6-0.
Speaking after the game, Tabuan Muda coach Stephen Ng felt that difference in experience was the biggest factor in their loss.
“It was a story of two halves. First half we were down 1-0, and I thought we did fairly okay as we competed for 45 minutes,” said Ng at a post match press conference.
“Unfortunately, conceding early in the second half unsettled the team a bit.
“The last 20-25 minutes wasn’t good. It is something we have to look to improve on for coming games.
“Their (Vietnam’s) experience counted in the second half. They (Vietnam) capitalised on our lapse till the end of the game,” added the Singaporean
On the other hand, Vietnam head coach Toshiya Miura was delighted with the lopsided win.
“Yes, I’m happy with the performance. First half wasn’t so easy but they were hardworking,” said Miura.
“Even though the score was 3-0 and 4-0… They didn’t stop until 6-0. I’m satisfied with the result,” he concluded.
Vietnam put in their first shot on target through Tran Phi Son in the second minute but Tabuan Muda goalkeeper Mohd Ahsanuddin Hj Mohd Dani pushed it out. The ensuing corner resulted in Brunei having to clear the ball off the line twice.
Vietnam were continuously putting dangerous crosses into the box and broke the deadlock in the 25th minute.
Ho Ngoc Thang delivered a ball into the box from the right for Le Thanh Binh, who made a good run and was easily able to tap it past Mohd Ahsanuddin.
They almost got a second when Tran tried to lob Mohd Ahsanuddin in the 28th minute but it went just wide.
At the other end, Ak Yura Indera Putera Pg Yunos had a good chance to unleash YAM Pg Muda Faiq HRH Prince Jefri Bolkiah in the 33rd minute but was quickly surrounded to prevent the pass.
Brunei had their best chance of the match in the 43rd minute with Azwan Ali Rahman providing a free-kick from 20 yards out into the box - but Md Hanif Hamir put it wide.
It took only two minutes after the interval for Vietnam to double their lead after a free-kick was given away at the edge of the box.
Substitute Nguyen Cong Phuong put it into the box for Tran to head it into the net.
Vietnam had several chances and had Brunei pegged onto their own half, and were unfortunate not to hit the target.
They were awarded a penalty in the 63rd minute after Muhmmad Nur Ikhmal Damit was judged to have committed a handball that prevented a header from going in.
Nguyen took the spot kick but it bounced off the crossbar and he eventually put the rebound over.
Another substitute, Mac Hong Quan, had his header inside the box dealt with by Md Ahsanuddin in the 74th minute.
But he got his name on the scoresheet seconds later after slotting the ball home from the left to make it 3-0.
Three minutes later, Ho got past his marker on the right before putting it across goal for Pham Duc Huy to tap it in.
It was 5-0 to Vietnam in the 82nd minute after a mistake by a Brunei defender to head the ball to the feet of Mac, and the latter would place it in the middle for Nguyen to net .
Vietnam could have added to the tally in the 84th minute but Mac could only watch his effort crash off the woodwork.
Skipper Pham Manh Hung got his name on the scoresheet in the 89th minute, but Vietnam were not done as Mac once against hit the crossbar late into injury time.

The Brunei Times

Brunei looking to erase bad memories

Yee Chun Leong

SINGAPORE

Friday, May 29, 2015

TABUAN Muda (the national Under-23 football team) are looking to erase their bad memories of Vietnam when they face each other in today’s Group B opener at the 28th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games today.
Brunei were hammered 7-0 by Vietnam in the last edition of biennial Games in Myanamr in 2013 and 8-0 at the 2011 edition in Indonesia – letting in four goals in the first 15 minutes in Jakarta.
Midfielder Azwan Ali Rahman (pic) is one of the returning players from two years ago, and he knows that defence will be key for them in their game at the Bishan Stadium.
“Vietnam are one of the strongest teams in the region,” said the DPMM FC midfielder in an interview with The Brunei Times after a training session here at the Bukit Gombak Stadium yesterday.
“We need to sit very tight and look for counter attacks and set pieces.
“If from open play, we might lose many goals. We know our strengths and the quality of the Vietnamese players. Overall we just need to sit very tight,” he stressed.
“We know Vietnam are a strong attacking team. We will just try our best and give a good fight. We will put in more effort for our country,” he promised.
Right-back Azri Zahari is in a confident mood and hopes he will able to do his part for his team.
“We want to do better (than two years ago) for tomorrow’s (Friday’s) game. We have to stay focused throughout,” said Azri.
“It would be good if we can get a draw but we want to win.
We know that Vietnam are very fast, so we will need our defence to be organised,” he added.
Forward Mohd Shafie Mohd Effendy, meanwhile, hopes they will be able to avenge the losses from Myanmar and Indonesia.
“We are looking for goals and hopefully we can exact revenge on them. The team is in a confident mood right now,” said Mohd Shafie.
Tabuan Muda head coach Stephen Ng Heng Seng is not looking to dwell on history and is focused on the upcoming encounter.
“Past records show that it wasn’t good in the past two editions,” admitted Ng, “but we are looking forward to the game.”
“I think the boys look confident the last session we put out there, and I’m looking forward to them carrying this confidence into the game,” he added.
When asked if defence will be key to the encounter, Ng replied: “Definitely, but there are two sides to the game.
“We have studied the major concerns and weaknesses we have to work on, and we do bring with us some good attacking play,” he added.
“We are more focused on the level of performance on the field. I believe with good performance the result will come,” concluded the Singaporean.
Kick off will be at 4pm.
The second game pits defending champions Thailand against Laos at 8.30pm at the same venue.
Brunei are set to face Laos in their second game on Sunday.
Ng’s men will take Timor Leste on June 3 and titleholders Thailand on June 6.
They will close their group stage play with a match against Malaysia on June 8.

The Brunei Times

Faiq entry boosts Brunei

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Monday, May 25, 2015

THE national under-23 football team have been boosted by the addition of Faiq Jefri Bolkiah in the lineup ahead of the 28th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Singapore.
The forward, who plies his trade with the Chelsea Academy, arrived in the Sultanate last week and is ready to back up Tabuan Muda at the attacking front.
“I’m going to try to use my physical presence and my strengths of the game - speed and dribbling on the ball (to help the team),” said Faiq in an interview with The Brunei Times after a training session yesterday at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas. “I will work hard for the team both defensively and offensively,” he added.
When asked on his target at the SEA Games, Faiq replied: “Hopefully we can improve. I see we got some stronger players from DPMM FC (trio of midfielders Azwan Ali Rahman, Aminuddin Zakwan Md Tahir and Ak Yura Indera Putera Pg Yunus).
“Hopefully that will help us in winning a few games. That is our realistic target,” added the 17-year-old. Tabuan Muda will start their SEA Games campaign against Vietnam in Group B on Friday at the Bishan Stadium.
National under-23 football coach Stephen Ng Heng Seng is glad to have the four players on board and assures that they are ready for the opener.
“Three of them are professional players with DPMM FC and another from the Chelsea Academy so we are hoping the experience they can bring to the team will give the extra push to go forward,” said Ng. “At this stage we are very focussed and we are very serious in terms of preparations in the final lapse. We are ready to face Vietnam next week,” added the Singaporean.
The team recently returned from a 10-day training stint in Japan where they contested in three friendly matches – winning one and losing two.
Saiful Ammar Hj Adis netted the only goal to give Brunei a 1-0 victory over JFA Under-18 Fukushima in the first game.
With the arrival of DPMM FC players then, the under-23 side slipped to a 7-0 defeat at the hands of Kanto Soccer League Division 1 side Ryutsu Keizai University in the second match before getting edged 1-0 by Jubilo Iwata Under-18.
Ng felt that the games were exactly the ones needed for his charges.
“It is a good exposure (for the boys) because we played against quality opponents” said Ng.
“Time and space on the ball was limited and they need to learn to play game faster.
“From past experience as seen from the previous SEA games, our opponents play much faster than us,” he added.
“This is what we have studied and prepared ourselves. Hopefully the boys can put up a good performance for the coming weeks,” continued Ng.
Team manager Pg Mohd Amirrizal Pg Hj Mahmud felt the same way about the Japan trip.
“We achieved our objectives for the Japan trip as we were there to gain experience and to identify both the strengths and weaknesses,” said Pg Mohd Amirrizal.
“From there we moved on and continued to build on our preparations for the SEA Games,” he concluded.
After the encounter against Vietnam, Tabuan Muda will face Laos two days later, Timor Leste on June 3 and defending champions Thailand on June 6.
They will complete their group stage play with a meeting against 2009 and 2011 winners Malaysia on June 8.

The Brunei Times

Brunei to play Singapore in a friendly on June 6

Yee Chun Leong

bandar seri begawan

Sunday, May 24, 2015

THE national football team are set for more action!
The Wasps are scheduled to play a friendly match against Singapore at the Jurong West Stadium in Singapore on June 6 - a day after the opening ceremony of the 28th Southeast Asian Games.
This was confirmed to The Brunei Times by NFABD (National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam) general secretary Hj Muhd Zamri Dato Paduka Hj Hamdani yesterday.
NFABD Technical Director Mike Wong Mun Heng also confirmed that he will be coaching the team in Lion City.
Brunei are currently ranked 183rd in the world while Singapore are in 162nd position.
The Wasps last saw action in the 2018 World Cup first round qualifier in March.
History was made when Adi Said scored the solitary goal to give Brunei a 1-0 win over Chinese Taipei in the first leg at the National Stadium in Kaohsiung on March 12.
It was the maiden win for Brunei after losses in the 12 previous games and the first away goal the Sultanate scored in World Cup qualifiers in 30 years.
However, their road to Russia came to an end after losing 2-0 in the second leg five days later at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.

The Brunei Times

Najip FC reclaim top spot

Abdul Azim Kassim

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, May 24, 2015

NAJIP FC reclaimed the DST Super League summit again after ousting IKLS FC 2-1 at the Berakas Sports Complex last night.
The three points bagged meant Najip FC hopped over defending champions Indera SC and are first again with 15 points while IKLS FC suffered their fifth loss of the season. But today, Indera SC can take their spot again if they win against the Royal Brunei Police Force Sports Council (MS PDB) at their match at 8.15pm at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.
Cagey was the name of the game as both teams played direct but kept squandering their chances.
Individual star performances from both teams were the difference last night.
Like a predator, Najip FC’s Abd Faiq Roslan poached right behind a defender, received the ball and drilled it past IKLS FC’s goal line to make it 1-0 at the 23rd minute.
Right after the break, IKLS FC responded right away as winger Ak Muhd Nur Izzuddin Pg Yusof faked a shot to lure Najip FC custodian Fardillah Hj Md Ali out and gleefully chipped it to the top right corner.
Excitement got the better of IKLS FC’s players however as they needlessly conceded a freekick right at the edge of the box.
Najip FC midfielder Haziman Hj Abd Halim curled the ball in and it was actually within the grasps of the IKLS goalkeeper but he spilled the beans, kindly falling over to Noor Raimi Karim who slotted the winning goal at the 52nd minute.
In the match between the bottom dwellers, Lun Bawang somehow was awarded four penalties and scored their first win of the season last night.
Lun Bawang ousted Kilanas FC 6-3 to keep their sorry opponents immobilised at the bottom with 22 goals conceded while Lun Bawang jumped from ninth to eight, replacing IKLS FC who now fell to ninth.

The Brunei Times

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Indera SC thrash Najip FC

Abdul Azim Kassim

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Monday, May 18, 2015

DEFENDING champions Indera SC stamped its authority and sent a warning to their title contenders after battering Najip FC 7-0 in the DST Super League match last night.
Former league leaders Najip FC came into the game undefeated but Indera had momentum on their side after recently demolishing Kilanas FC 8-1.
But five Indera SC goals in the first half was too hot for Najip FC to handle as Indera devoured them 7-0 and usurped the former league leaders from the DST Super League throne. Seven-star Indera are now level on 12 points but Indera are over the latter via a superior goal difference as well as hold a game in hand.
Indera Sports Club manager Rosdin Hj Abdul Aziz in an interview with The Brunei Times said that even he was surprised by the scoreline and did not expect his team to win in such an emphatic fashion.
“I’m really happy with the game, I did not expect a big win with two of our players playing at the BIBD At-Tamwil University Cup,” he said.
“The boys played according to our strategy – which is to control the midfield.
“We know that Najip FC have experienced defenders but we also knew that we have fast pace wingers, so we exploited that fact and Alhamdulillah it paid off.”
And control the midfield they did as Najip FC struggled to bring the ball past the halfway line.
The manager also hailed his industrious back four which was very solid, securing a cleansheet and even had their right back get on the scoresheet.
Indera SC’s Sahrin Momin broke the deadlock at 11th minute.
Ten minutes later, solid right back Muhd Alif Hj Mahdini industriously overlapped forward and sent a like-a-bullet-shot top corner goal to give the Najip FC’s goalkeeper absolutely no chance.
Indera SC player Sam Frank was then atrociously given too much space by Najip FC’s defenders to take a shot and beat the Najip’s goalkeeper once more.
Hamizan Aziz Sulaiman and Mohd Asri Hj Aspari then made it 5-0 before the break.
Three minutes in the second half, Mohd Afi Aminuddin extended Indera Sc’s lead again and Sahrin Momin hammered the final nail in Najip FC’s coffin scoring from a freekick to make it 7-0.
Earlier in the day, Jerudong FC bounced back from their previous loss to Wijaya FC and secured a 4-1 win against Lun Bawang to jump from eighth to sixth place.

The Brunei Times

DPMM FC, Albirex clash

Jason Thomas

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, May 14, 2015

DESPITE having the chance to top the Singapore League (S-League) if they beat Albirex Niigata FC (S) tonight, DPMM FC coach Steve Kean is entertaining no such thoughts.
DPMM FC enter the game at the Jurong East Stadium in Singapore third in the 10-team table with 19 points from eight games. Albirex are a point above DPMM FC in second while titleholders Warriors lead the league with 21 points – though both clubs have played 10 games.
On paper, DPMM FC have the advantage as they have won eight of their 11 meetings against Albirex - who won the remaining three fixtures.
When asked if the opportunity to lead the S-League has been a theme in his pre-match talks against the Japanese outfit, Kean’s answer was simple.
“No,” said the Scotsman minutes before boarding their flight to Singapore yesterday evening.
“The most important thing is that we respect our opponent as they’re a very good side.
“Albirex are focused on keeping possession and keeping hold of the ball, so during training we’ve worked a lot on our organisation and structure behind the ball,” he added.
The fact that Albirex have the meanest defence in the league – they have let in a miserly three goals in 10 games – mean DPMM FC strikers Rafael Ramazotti and Paulo Sergio will have their work cut out for them.
Both got on the scoresheet in the 2-0 win over Tampines Rovers FC on Sunday night – the Bruneian side’s first ever S-League win over the Stags – but Kean has told his players to expect a different animal when they face Albirex tonight.
“It’s going to be a different game. Tampines are very different and are more direct,” he said.
Tonight’s other game will see seventh placed Home United FC host Hougang United FC at the Yishun Stadium in Singapore.
Both games will kick off at 7.30pm.

The Brunei Times

Wijaya beat 10-man Jerudong

Abdul Azim Kassim

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, May 14, 2015

A FIRST-HALF red card spoiled Jerudong FC’s game last night as they gave away their lead to allow Wijaya FC to bag their third win of the DST Super League.
Wijaya came back from 2-1 down after 30 minutes to win 3-2 at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas, and the three points keep Wijaya in fourth - but level on nine points with defending champions Indera Sports Club (SC) and three points behind leaders Najip I-Team.
Jerudong was reduced to 10 men just before the break after Mohd Shaeruddin Suhaile landed a brash two-footed tackle on Wijaya FC winger Abd Azim Abd Rasid.
After the match, Wijaya manager Ahyana Hj Tali said that it was a tough game early on as Jerudong were dangerous on the counter-attack until their red card.
“I don’t want to say that it was one sided, but that red card really tilted the game in our favour,” said the manager, who fielded a 4-1-3-2 formation last night.
“We played alright considering we had a number of key players. Unfortunately, we had to play some players in positions they were not used - hence the shaky start we had in the game.
“It is still early in the season and we should take it game by game, so at the moment we hope to do better than last season and be knocking on the door of getting in the top five,” he said of his team’s target this season.
The match kicked off on a high tempo with four goals in the first half, with Khalil Saab breaking the deadlock and putting Wijaya FC in front after just seven minutes.
Wijaya kept the ball in midfield well, but they struggled to cope with Jerudong’s blitzkrieg runs on the flanks.
A Jerudong run into the box in the 18th minute was rewarded when they won a free-kick right at the edge of the box and veteran midfielder Md Hardi Bujang curled in a sublime shot to the top corner, leaving Wijaya’s 19-year-old goalkeeper Md Burhanuddin Hj Edy Asmady eating grass.
The equaliser spurred Jerudong on and they went ahead again through a simple tap in by Sadilah Samail in the 28th minute.
The game changer came when Khalil picked out Wijaya winger Abd Azim Abd Rasid’s run and hit a through pass.
The winger beat his marker and Jerudong’s Mohd Shaeruddin, who was already booked, took him down and got his second yellow of the night.
From the resulting free-kick, Khalil delivered a stinging swerving cross met by Muhd Hanif Omar Ali - who headed the ball and floated it over Jerudong custodian Abd Samad Hj Gapor - making it 2-2 right before the break.
The second half went from bad to worse for Jerudong as Wijaya’s Marhazif Ahad was brought down in the box just two minutes after the break. Marhazif took the penalty and coolly slotted in the winning goal of the night.
Jerudong was no longer the same side in the second half and they did not pose any serious threat to Wijaya goalie Md Burhanuddin.
DST Super League action will continue again this Sunday with a blockbuster match between league leaders Najip I-Team and Indera SC at the Balapan Track and Field.
The game is slated for an 8.15pm kick-off.

The Brunei Times

Tabuan Muda off to Japan

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Saturday, May 9, 2015

THE national Under-23 football team will travel to Asian football powerhouses Japan in the final stage of their preparation for the 28th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Singapore.
Tabuan Muda - who remain second in the DST Super League after beating IKLS FC 3-0 last night to cut Najip I-Team’s lead at the top of the league to two points - are scheduled to fly off to Japan tomorrow for the 10-day intensive training tour.
The trio of DPMM FC midfielders Aminuddin Zakwan Tahir, Azwan Ali Rahman and Ak Yura Indera Peter Pg Yunus is set to join the rest of the team in Japan after DPMM FC’s Singapore League (S-League) meeting against Albirex Niigata (S) FC on Thursday.
This will be the second time the team will lace up in the Land of the Rising Sun – the country where they were first put together as the Under-22 squad for a training tour last September.
Tabuan Muda head coach Stephen Ng Heng Seng Ng is looking forward to the trip and said they will play three games in Japan.
Despite not having the DPMM FC trio with them from the start, Ng is confident his men will be able to cope.
“We have to work with what we have,” said Ng during a send off ceremony hosted by Japanese Ambassador Noriki Iki at the Japanese Embassy in Kiulap yesterday.
“We understand they are in the professional game and we cannot disrupt their season. As much as we want them in the team we have to be understanding,” continued Ng.
The trip was made possible after an invitation from the Japan Foundation in cooperation with the Japan Football Association (JFA) and Japan Professional Football League (J League)
Tabuan Muda will start their SEA Games campaign against Vietnam in Group B on May 29.
They face Laos two days later, Timor Leste on June 3 and defending champions Thailand on June 6.
They will complete their group stage play with a meeting against 2009 and 2011 winners Malaysia on June 8.

The Brunei Times

Najip beat Tabuan Muda

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, May 7, 2015

LEADERS Najip I-Team stretched their unbeaten run in the DST Super League to four games after a 3-1 victory over Tabuan Muda (national Under-23 team) at the Berakas Sports Complex last night.
Najip lead the 10-team table with a maximum of 12 points while second-place Tabuan Muda are on seven points but have played two matches more.
Tabuan Muda coach Stephen Ng Heng Seng - who will be leading the team at the SEA Games later this month - felt that their lack of experience let them down.
“We lost out experience wise. This is something we got to work on,” said Ng in an interview with The Brunei Times.
“First half we dominated the game but we couldn’t create the clear finishing. Experience will come in and confidence will follow,” he added.
Judging by last night’s performance, Tabuan Muda will have a hard time going up against their regional counterparts at the SEA Games. The Sultanate start their Group B campaign against Vietnam in Group B on May 29.
Brunei shipped 15 goals against the Vietnamese over the past two editions in Myanmar (2013) and Indonesia (2011), failing to score in any of the games.
Brunei face Laos two days later, Timor Leste on June 3 and defending champions Thailand on June 6. They will complete their group stage play with a meeting against 2009 and 2011 winners Malaysia on June 8.
Najip opened the scoring in the 22nd minute after a freekick from the left was headed down to the path of Md Amirul Hamrey Md Norshaney in the box to fire it to the right corner.
Azri Zahari tried to drill one to the bottom right corner five minutes later, but his shot was saved by Ahsanuddin Hj Mohd Dani in between the sticks.
The Under-23 side had a good chance to level just before the halftime whistle after Mohd Asnawi Syazni Abd Aziz found Mohd Rakin Ramli inside the box.
However, the latter’s attempt on the turn was saved by Najip goalkeeper Ron Junior Philip.
Najip took just five minutes into the second half to add to the scoresheet after a ball was played over the top from midfield.
Substitute Abd Afiq Roslan outpaced the entire Tabuan Muda backline and blasted it past an onrushing Ahsanuddin to double their lead. Najip were awarded a penalty after Haziman Hj Abd Halim was brought down inside the box being surrounded by three Tabuan Muda players.
Haziman stepped up to take the spot kick himself and made no mistake to bring the scoreline to 3-0. Tabuan Muda finally got on the scoresheet in the 79th minute after Mohd Shafie Mohd Effendy sent in a cross from the left to Md Nur Syazwan Halidi.
The latter then played it to the middle for an unmarked Ak Md Halim Pg Hassan to put it past Philip.
Tabuan Muda found new confidence and continued to press on forward in search of more goals.
They got another opportunity in the 84th minute with Mohd Asnawi Syazni delivering a cross from the left, but Md Nur Syazwan couldn’t put his header on target.
However, time was not on their side and the Under-23 team could have added a consolation late into injury time but Mohd Asnawi Syazni’s shot met the side netting.
Najip head coach Johari Hj Bungsu played his cards right and was happy to stay unbeaten in the competition.
“We were trying to conserve energy in the first half and played more defensively as we know that fitness wise, Tabuan Muda were better,” said Johari in an interview with The Brunei Times .
“We managed to get one goal and that was the advantage we needed. We played the same style in the second half but we just took our chances.
“Credit to our goalkeeper too as he played well tonight (Wednesday night).
“Overall we are just happy to pick up the three points and look to improve on our fitness,” continued Johari.
The competition continues tomorrow with Tabuan Muda up against IKLS FC at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas at 8.15pm.

The Brunei Times