Indera SC to represent the country will be playing against Yangon United FC from Myanmar in AFC Cup 2020, qualifying round 1

Brunei Darussalam is returning to the AFC competition through the AFC Cup 2020, qualifying round 1.

Indera SC, as the only club licensed under AFC Club License and Merit to represent the country, will be playing against Yangon United FC from Myanmar during the qualifying round 1.

Indera SC will host Yangon United FC at Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium on Wednesday, 22 January 2020 and the return leg in Myanmar will be on Wednesday, 29 January 2020. Full Draw Ceremony for the AFC Cup 2020 will be done in AFC House, Kuala Lumpur on 9 December 2019.

Mohammad Shahnon Haji Mohd. Salleh, the current Acting General Secretary has stated that NFABD will fully cooperate and assist Indera SC during their preparation and participation in the AFC Cup 2020 as the club will be the flag bearer for Brunei Darussalam during this competition. He also hopes that the football enthusiasts in Brunei Darussalam will come in full force to support Indera SC and enliven the football match.

Rosdin Hj Abd Aziz as the General Manager for Indera SC said, “With gratitude and happiness, Indera SC has finally managed to acquire the AFC CUP 2020 license after all the hardwork and sacrifices by the Indera SC management team and all those involved since CLS was introduced back in October 2018. We will not have achieved this without assistance from NFABD. This is our first chronicle for Indera SC since its involvement in the football arena and that feat was a golden opportunity for the club to move forward to a higher level. Indera SC promised that it will give its best in the AFC CUP which will be contested reciprocally. Indera SC realised that our opponent Yangon United is not just any random team because they have been in the championship longer and are more experienced. That is why Indera SC need the total support from its fan and all football enthusiasts in Brunei Darussalam throughout their journey.”

http://www.nfabd.org/press-release/2019120601.htm

Three major football leagues next year

by James Kon

The National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) will organise three major football leagues next year in its effort to raise the standard of football in Brunei.

The leagues are National League, Youth League and Futsal League. Following this, players competing in the Futsal League are not allowed to compete in the National League and vice versa.

This was announced by the recently elected President of NFABD Pengiran Haji Matusin bin Pengiran Haji Matasan at a Muzakarah session with NFABD at the NFABD House yesterday.

He also urged NFABD members and local football clubs to work together for next year’s preparation and planning.

“With the aspiration to improve the level of Brunei football in the national and international stages, we will face many challenges and we can overcome them by working together. The development of football does not only rely on NFABD but also involves the cooperation of the association’s members including the involvement of local football teams,” he said.

“This will improve the level of football in the country while the image of the country will better in the international stage.”

Some 60 representatives from local football clubs attended the session.

The NFABD President added, “Many wonder why our national squad’s performance in the SEA Games recently was very disappointing. I feel that this can be a launching pad for us to compare where we have failed and improve our performance for the future.

“Steps must be taken so that our preparation can be implemented smoothly.

“The association will assist in terms of management and coaching among others. The management and administration of each football club must utilise systematic training to improve the standard of clubs, coaching and skills as well as others.”

Local football clubs, associations and referee associations in Brunei Darussalam are advised to start preparations early. “We want the standard of our league to be respectable,” he added.

Haji Matusin also added that the National League should have at least 16 teams, in line with the aspirations of the football’s world governing body FIFA, the Asian Football Federation (AFF) and the ASEAN Football Confederation (AFC).

Meanwhile, he also revealed that NFABD is in the early stage of negotiation with sponsors to support the leagues.

https://borneobulletin.com.bn/three-major-football-leagues-next-year/

Brunei lose 7-0 to Singapore

By Fadhil Yunus in Manila, the Philippines

Brunei Darussalam’s under-22 football team ended their campaign at the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games without registering a single goal after a disappointing 7-0 defeat to Singapore at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila yesterday.

The Young Wasps have previously drawn blanks in all their group games against Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Laos.

Brunei were put on the backfoot in the opening periods of the match as Singapore came out all guns blazing with the first goal arriving via a set-piece just three minutes after captain Irfan Fandi came uncontested at the far post to head home Hami Syahin’s pinpoint cross.

Singapore young striker Ikhsan Fandi, who is already capped at senior level, reminded the Brunei defence off his talents with his utilisation of space before getting his shot across but which sliced wide. Nevertheless, his attempt was a strong indication of the Singapore attacking onslaught.

With the Singapore side determined to end their campaign with a win, Jacob Mahler saw his towering header clear the bar after connecting a cross from a teammate.

The offensive threat was a relentless one as Ryhan Stewart gave the Bruneian defence a chase on the flanks before cutting back for Faris Ramli but his effort skewed wide.

Hami Syahin blasted an effort wide after a loose ball fell before Faris Ramli skied his effort wide again.

Faris gave the keys to Haiqal Pashia with a neat pass but the latter’s effort took a deflection for a corner.

The Singaporeans marginally missed the target as Faris saw his shot brush against the post.

Brunei already have a history of being left shorthanded in this year’s meet and they went a man down again after Hanif Azman was dismissed for a second offence.

It took the 67th minute for Singapore to add to their account as Ikhsan placed a shot past the Brunei goalkeeper Ishyra Asmin bin Jabidi with precision.

Singapore’s Saifullah Akbar joined in the act with an expert finish in the 72nd minute before Faris netted a quick-fire double in a space of five minutes.

The Young Lions, who were in a similar position with Brunei prior to their final group game, rained goals as Ikhsan was on the double after completing a string of passes.

Ikhsan completed his hat-trick with a cool finish in the dying seconds of the game to compound the misery of the Brunei team.

https://borneobulletin.com.bn/brunei-lose-7-0-singapore/