Indera SC make early preparations

 Fadhil Yunus

Indera Sports Club (ISC) have made early preparations for future competitions through continuous training sessions, despite the unconfirmed resumption of the Brunei Super League season, the club announced recently.

Despite the wait, the club stressed the importance of lifting the players’ spirit and stepping up their fitness levels.

“We want to see the players be able to regain the ability to perform basic touches of their technical game,” said ISC Team Manager Pengiran Abdul Azim bin Pengiran Haji Othman said during a training session at the NFABD Football Field.

While complying with standard operating procedure set by the authorities, the players were seen training hard in preparation for a possible domestic competition.

Pengiran Abdul Azim said the squad have made positive steps with the improvements and fitness progress, and will continue to strengthen the team.

Last year, the Brunei Super League was cancelled to comply with measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak.

https://borneobulletin.com.bn/indera-sc-make-early-preparations/

DPMM FC to sit out 2021 SPL season

 Fadhil Yunus

DPMM FC will not be competing in the 2021 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season due to travel restrictions impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) confirmed on Tuesday.

The Brunei club informed the FAS on their withdrawal, which was similar to their omission last October when the league restarted without the then-champions.

“Both parties made significant efforts to explore mutually satisfactory arrangements for DPMM FC’s participation in the league, but it is unfortunate that these did not work out,” the FAS statement said.

“While the situation is unfortunate, the FAS appreciates that DPMM FC has done everything possible to resume its place in the SPL, but has to abide by Brunei’s national policies set out to contain the virus.

“DPMM FC remains an integral part of the SPL and we look forward to welcoming them back next season,” the FAS added.

The SPL, which is entering its 26th season, will kick off on March 13 with eight teams.

Matches will be played behind closed doors. However, the FAS will review this in consultation with the authorities once the season progresses.

Only essential match-day personnel will be allowed in the venue and comprehensive protocols will remain in place for their safety.

Meanwhile, the quota for foreign imports has been revised with effect from the 2021 season in line with the requirements of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) club competitions.

Each SPL club, excluding Albirex Niigata (S) and Young Lions, is allowed to register a maximum of four foreign players with no age restrictions, of whom at least one should be of the nationality of an AFC member association.

The number of substitutions for each team will revert to three while the maximum number of substitutes players allowed in the bench will also revert to seven.

Fixture schedules have been released with reigning holders Albirex Niigata (S) opening their title defence with a clash against Hougang United, and Lion City Sailors taking on Tampines Rovers FC.

DPMM FC’s last match in the SPL was a 2-0 home victory against Tampines Rovers FC on March 6 last year, but the result was annulled following their withdrawal.

https://borneobulletin.com.bn/dpmm-fc-to-sit-out-2021-spl-season/

K Rajagobal primed to shake up Brunei football

 Fadhil Yunus

The appointment of K Rajagobal as the new head coach of Brunei Darussalam’s football is hoped to change the country’s football state, said National Football Association (NFABD) President Pengiran Haji Matusin bin Pengiran Haji Matasan.

“The arrival of Datuk (K Rajagobal) in Brunei Darussalam serves to provide a starting point in changing the landscape of the country’s football,” the president said during the closing ceremony of the referee and assistant referee seminar 2021 at the Youth Centre in Pekan Baru Bangar, Temburong District recently.

“NFABD in its strategic plan, among others, is to nurture a football team that will change the fortunes and position of the national team,” he said.

“The 191st FIFA ranking has been implanted in our minds for a long time. We hope the arrival of K Rajagobal in Brunei Darussalam will change the current state.

“We need appropriate planning to build a team systematically, and we need to have the cooperation of all parties.”

Pengiran Haji Matusin conveyed his gratitude to the AFF Championship-winning coach for accepting the role.

He added, “It is a big challenge because we need to show to the public that we mean business and we want to produce positive results. It doesn’t mean that we will beat any team tomorrow in any competition. What we want to see is improvement of how we can close the gap from before.

“We also engage consultants like Mr Jeysing (Muthiah) to assist in football development not only on the field but also mentally – how we can guide teams and players towards excellence.”

Meanwhile, the NFABD President thanked referees for their commitment to improve the standard of refereeing in football, saying, “Such courses will not help equip them with knowledge but also education of the Laws of the Game.”

He hoped the referees and assistants will apply their newfound knowledge in competitions, especially in the Brunei Super League.

https://borneobulletin.com.bn/k-rajagobal-primed-to-shake-up-brunei-football-2/

NFABD President Pengiran Haji Matusin bin Pengiran Haji Matasan makes a speech during the seminar. PHOTO: FADHIL YUNUS

Kasuka scheduled to play Lao Toyota FC in AFC Cup debut

 Fadhil Yunus

Kasuka FC have to negotiate past Lao Toyota FC in the preliminary stage and then Hantharwardy United in the subsequent play-off stage to reach the group stage of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup 2021.

The local club, who is set to make their debut in the AFC Cup, will be the second team after Indera SC to represent Brunei Darussalam in the second tier continental cup competition.

The qualifying phase of the competition will see six regional clubs battling it out for two berths in the main draw of the ASEAN Zone in Group G and H.

The preliminary stage in the ASEAN Zone is slated to be held on April 28 while the playoff stage will be held on May 19.

The Brunei-based club will be drawn in Group G alongside Vietnam’s Hanoi FC, Indonesia’s Bali United and Cambodia’s Boeung Ket if they prevail as one of the two play-off winners.

Meanwhile, Group H consists of Kedah Darul Aman, Lion City Sailors, Saigon and the second play-off winner while Kaya FC- Iloilo, Terengganu, Geylang International and Shah United or Ayewandy United complete Group I.

While qualification could not be determined following the cancellation of the Brunei Super League last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kasuka were the best-placed team among the three other local clubs – which met the AFC Club Licensing status – in the 2018/ 2019 season.

Kasuka FC emerged as runners-up that season but a place in AFC Cup qualifying was eventually awarded to Indera SC as they were the only club eligible for participation in AFC-sanctioned tournaments having met club licensing requirements.

The other three local clubs that have successfully met the AFC Club Licensing status were Indera SC, Kota Ranger FC and DPMM FC.

The other preliminary round tie will pit Cambodia’s Visakha FC against Timor Leste’s Lalenok United FC with the winner taking on Indonesia’s Persipura Jayapura for a place in Group H.

According to the official draw of the AFC Cup group stage yesterday, matches in the ASEAN Zone are scheduled to kick off on June 22.

The centralised matches will kick off in the South, Central and East Zone on May 14 before the West Zone commences on May 23.

Kasuka’s opponent Lao Toyota earned a berth in this year’s AFC Cup after being crowned Lao Premier League champions last season.

https://borneobulletin.com.bn/kasuka-scheduled-to-play-lao-toyota-fc-in-afc-cup-debut/

New head coach Rajagobal looking forward to Brunei Darussalam assignment

 Kuala Lumpur: The National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) has appointed Datuk K. Rajagobal as head coach of the national team and the former Malaysian international is determined to help the Southeast Asian side realise their potential.

Rajagobal, who has signed a two-year contract, is no stranger to success - having led Malaysia to the 2009 SEA Games gold medal and 2010 AFF Cup title.

Rajagobal, who also previously coached Malaysian Super League sides Selangor, Kelantan, Sarawak and PKNS, said his first order of business will be to meet the players.

"The NFABD are expecting something from me, so I will plan things out after meeting the players.

"We need to decide which direction we need to take in the hope of achieving targets."

Rajagobal, 64, said he is relishing the challenge with Brunei Darussalam.

"I want to offer my knowledge to help Brunei make inroads in the game.

"It will be a new challenge for me. Whatever improvements Brunei make will bring satisfaction as any coach would be happy if his team do well," he said.

https://www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/new-head-coach-rajagobal-looking-forward-to-brunei-darussalam-assignment

Photo: AFP

Kasuka FC to represent Brunei in AFC Cup !

 

Four Brunei clubs get AFC Club Licensing approval

 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (14 Dec 2020) – DPMM FC, Indera SC, Kasuka FC and Kota Ranger FC have obtained AFC Club Licensing status.

This means that the four clubs will be eligible to participate in competitions organised and sanctioned by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

“I hope that the clubs will run their administration and management professionally,” said Pengiran Matusin Pengiran Matasan, the President of the National FA of Brunei Darussalam.

“There has been a lot of knowledge-sharing from our consultants covering administration and management.”

https://www.aseanfootball.org/v3/four-brunei-clubs-get-afc-club-licensing-approval/