Brunei beat Thailand to keep semi-final hopes alive

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (27 April 2018) – Hosts Brunei kept their hope for a place in the semi-finals of the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy 2018 alive last night when they beat a confident Thai side 2-1 in a Group A tie at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.

The home team, which had conceded a close 1-0 defeat at the hands of Timor Leste in their opening game of the group, came out with all guns blazing against the Thais.

And in front of more than 25,000 fans, Naziruddin Ismail nailed the opener in the 71st minute before Thailand grabbed the equaliser through the prolific Sittichok Paso.

But DPMM FC striker Yura Indera Putera Yunos then nailed the winner deep in injury time to give Brunei their first full points of the competition.

The win allowed Brunei to move up to second in the standings behind Myanmar, who had earlier beaten Timor Leste 2-0.

A goal in each half off Win Naing Tun in the 27th minute and then Hein Htet Aung in the 90th minute gave Myanmar their first win and the driver’s seat in the group.

http://www.aseanfootball.org/v3/brunei-beat-thailand-to-keep-semi-final-hopes-alive/

Brunei lose to Timor Leste 1-0

By  Fadhil Yunus  

BRUNEI Darussalam National Under-21 Team began their campaign in Group ‘A’ of the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy for Asean Youth Football Tournament 2018 with a 1-0 defeat to Timor Leste at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas last night.

Timor Leste midfielder Jose Maria Dos Reis’s penalty in the 20th minute separated the two sides.

The visitors were awarded a penalty after Ammar Syafie Hassanuddin was adjudged to have fouled captain Jorge Sabas Victor in the box and to make matters worse received a yellow card for his troubles.

Jose Maria stepped up and tucked away the ensuing penalty, sending Brunei goalkeeper Ishyra Asmin Jabidi the wrong way.

Faiq Jefri Bolkiah, whom just linked up with the squad last week, created the best opportunity for Brunei after volleying the ball into goal which was deflected by a Timorese defender.

The hosts were agonisingly close to pulling level after an unmarked Faiq powered a header from a corner but was cleared off the line with goalkeeper Fagio Augusto Da Silva beaten.

Timor Leste forward Henrique hits the side-netting after the ball fell to him much to the relief of the Bruneian rearguard.

With Brunei unable to find an opening, they lost possession enabling Rufino Walter Gama to burst clear and after his initial chance was lost he nearly got a second bite of the cherry only for his shot to be cleared away.

Brunei made a decent chance after Hanif Aiman Adanan sets up the ball for Naziruddin Haji Ismail whose attempt was deflected for a corner.

Brunei midfielder Azim Izamuddin Suhaimi then tried a shot from distance after a corner was played short but his shot was easily saved by Da Silva.

Timor Leste forward Walter Gama, who proved a livewire, then surged forward and fired a shot and fortunately it was dealt with by the Brunei defence away for a corner.

Timor Leste defender Nidio Ricardo Ferreira Alves was also provided an opportunity but his shot was blocked away for a corner.

The hosts tried to apply pressure in the closing stages of the game but Timor Leste held on for the victory.

https://borneobulletin.com.bn/brunei-lose-to-timor-leste-1-0/

DPMM FC could have won by bigger margin, says head coach Weber

By Fadhil Yunus     

DPMM FC head coach Rene Weber has underlined the modesty of the scoreline against Geylang International FC during an emphatic 4-1 win in the Singapore Premier League at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium on Tuesday night.

Weber indicated that his charges could have won by a bigger margin following a bombardment of attacks in the opening minutes of the game, putting the visitors on the back-foot.

“We did well and we played to win. I think the result could have been larger. We lost too many opportunities but what’s most important is the three points,” Weber said in a post-match interview with the media.

The Brazilian sets a top four target in the league adding that they will build on from their aspirations once they are in the whereabouts of the initial target.

“I am happy that the team played for the win. It is not because of luck as we had more opportunities.

“The players also made sacrifices; Brian (McLean) made sacrifices, Hendra (Azam) with pain made sacrifices as well as Suhaimi (Sulau) who played with sacrifice.

“Sportsmen ought to make sacrifices to help the team. Today we did well and I congratulate the players,” he added.

Despite the magnitude of the victory, the coach stated that it was not an easy game especially dealing with the long ball approach from Geylang.

The team’s new-look attacking workforce signalled promise and has gelled instantly with the foreign imports impressing.

Despite each of his attacking options having a hand in three of the goals, Weber, however, credited all the components of the team.

“I don’t only talk about the offensive side of the game as the defence side of the game also did well. I want to talk about our team and we had good teamwork today which is very important,” the head coach said.

Meanwhile, his opposite number Geylang’s head coach Hirotaka Usui acknowledged the strength of the home side during the defeat.

“It is a very difficult game because DPMM FC have players with very good ability and they are very strong,” he said in a post-match interview.

The head coach identified local duo Azwan Ali and Adi Said as very skilled players, both of whom provided a constant threat during the game.

The Japanese, who replaced Noor Ali this term, admitted that the first goal they conceded was a setback before adding that they still managed opportunities in the game.

“The first goal caused us damage but we were able to create many opportunities especially in the second half so I have confidence,” said Hirotaka.

https://borneobulletin.com.bn/dpmm-fc-could-have-won-by-bigger-margin-says-head-coach-weber/

Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy 2018 kicks off on 23 April

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (16 April 2018) – The sixth edition of the Hassanak Bolkiah trophy will kick off on 23 April 2018 with seven teams taking part.

Teams are restricted to using only Under-22 years-old players with hosts Brunei, Thailand, Myanmar and Timor Leste in Group A.

In Group B are Laos, Singapore and Cambodia.

The winning team will earn BND20,000 (USD15,200), BND$10,000 (USD7,600) for the runners-up and BND5,000 (USD3,800) for joint third-placed teams.

Defending champions Myanmar will take on Thailand in their opening game on 24 April 2018 – a day after the hosts playing Timor Leste.

http://www.aseanfootball.org/v3/hassanal-bolkiah-trophy-2018-kicks-off-on-23-april/

DPMM usher new era with Home win.

DPMM FC ushered a new era under the tutelage of newly appointed head coach Rene Weber in style following a 4-2 win over Home United in their opening fixture of the Singapore Premier League at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium last night.

DPMM FCnew Ukrainian striker Vlodymyr Pryyomov enjoyed a dream debut under underlying his scoring pedigree with a brace to firmly establish himself  as the main man upfront.

The Gegar Gegar men first foreign signing Majtba Esmaeielzadeh ended a roller coaster week in the best possible fashion after marking his debut with a goal.

DPMM FC local forward Adi Sadia and Mojtaba was originally in Weber's plans of first team selection  but after a surprise failure in the mandatort Yo-yo test led to their omission on their friendly on Monday possibly to allow them ample time for test ahead of a redo.

However the attacking duo who looks set to compliment a dynamic attacking force in a nerly assembled DPMM side, passed their test and was named in the matchday-quad.

With the sense of expectation, the home starting squad mirrored a sidd that featured against Sabah in  their final pre-season friendly with a couple of expected changes.

With the debate of who will partner McLean in the heart if defence, astring of fine performances has convinced Weber that Abdul Aziz Tamit was the ideal local paitring.

DPMM FC local recruits Suhaimi Anak Sulau and goalkeeper Haimie Anak Nyaring also made their debuts with the latter installed as the club's nuber one choice goalkeeper.

The hosts enjoyed a dream start after foreign import Vlodomyr Pryyomov opened the account with a neat finish in his debut in the 12th minute before Abdul Aziz double the lead two minutes later for his first goal since rejoining the club this year.

The visitors were punished after failing to clear succession of set-pieces as Vlodomyr nicked in to score his first goal of the club before Abd Aziz steered the ball home from close range fromt yet another corner.

the new era under newly appointed head coach Weber looked bright as DPMM found the third goal of the game with the Ukrainina on target on the 55th minute.

Mojtaba made it 4-0 for the hosts before before the Protectors finally got their name on the score-sheet albeit to an unfortunate own goal by Haimie.

Shahril Ishak netted in injury time but it was more of a consolation as DPMM stated the season with a win.

http://www.eteamz.com/dpmmfc/news/

Brunei Under-21s beat Pasundan 6-0 in friendly

By Fadhil Yunus  

THE Brunei national under-21 football team stepped up their preparations for the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy for Asean Youth Football Tournament 2018 with a commanding 6-0 victory over Pasundan United at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex recently.

Brunei under-21s have been actively taking part in friendly matches having also returned from Sabah with much-needed playing time under their belt as a warm-up for the regional showpiece later this month.

The head coach of Pasundan United, Asef Iskandar, underlined the stark contrast in quality and level with the Brunei under-21 team but paid tribute to his charges.

The Pasundan United side is made up of teams competing in the BMI league namely FC Rabtau, Lorenza, Barca and Estar. Asef added that he admired the playing style of the HBT squad.

The head coach also wished the Brunei under-21 team success in the tournament which will begin on April 23.

https://borneobulletin.com.bn/brunei-under-21s-beat-pasundan-6-0-in-friendly/