13 October 2016

Brunei fall to Malaysia U-22 again

THE national football team slipped to back-to-back defeats against Malaysia’s Under-22 team after falling to a 1-0 loss in their second friendly match yesterday.
Syafiq Ahmad, who scored both goals in the 2-0 victory over the Wasps in their first game on Thursday, once again got on the scoresheet at the Paroi Stadium in Negri Sembilan.
The Wasps now have less than a week to adjust before their first game in the AFF (ASEAN Football Federation) Suzuki Cup 2016 qualifiers in Cambodia where they will face Timor Leste on Saturday.
It was an improved performance by the sultanate but they were having difficulties in the final third to threaten the Malaysia U-22 goal.
Brunei made three changes to the starting lineup with defender Hairol Azaman Shah Abdullah, midfielder Mohd Nurikhmal Damit and striker Adi Said taking the places of Reduan Hj Petara, Ak Yura Indera Putera Pg Yunos and Azizi Ali Rahman respectively.
The Wasps started out well and had a good opportunity in the third minute but Hanif headed over Ak Fakharazzi Pg Hassan’s cross from the right.
In turn, Malaysia U-22 broke the deadlock eight minutes later after a good defence splitting pass by Ahmad Khairil Anuar Ahmad Zamri from midfield to send Syafiq through on goal.
The Kedah FA striker got the better of right-back Ak Fakharazzi before firing past Brunei custodian Wardun Yussof for the lead.
The hosts should have added another but Md Danial Ashraf Abdullah couldn’t get a touch on Md Zairulizwan Mazlan’s ball from the left in front of goal.

Malaysia U-22 coach Franck Bernhardt ensured fresh legs in his backline by making two changes by sending on Dinesh Rajasingam and Md Syazwan Zaipol Bahari after the break.
The Wasps did threaten two minutes after the interval with Adi Said’s header from just inside the box but Malaysia U-22 goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi Mohamed tipped it over.

Another chance went begging as Md Danial should have done better off a counterattack but skewed his shot from the edge of the box wide. Brunei went all out on attack in the last 10 minutes by sending on Azizi Ali in place of Hairol Azaman — playing three up front together with substitute Razimie Ramli and Shahrazen Said.


The hosts could have put more icing on the cake as Md Jafri Firdaus had his freekick from over 25 yards out denied by Wardun and he then miscued his shot from 10 yards out just before the final whistle.

The Brunei Times

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