The FIFA Executive Committee, chaired by President Joseph S. Blatter, decided to lift the suspensions on the football associations of Bosnia-Herzegovina (FFBH) and Brunei Darussalam (NFABD, formerly BAFA) during their meeting held today, 30 May 2011, at the Home of FIFA in Zurich. The committee took these decisions after ascertaining that both national associations had fulfilled the conditions established by the FIFA Emergency Committee and approved statutes in line with the FIFA Statutes.
fifa.com
25 May 2011
BYT dump Menglait out
BRUNEI Youth Team (BYT) defeated Menglait FC 3-1 to book a DST Group Brunei League Cup 2011 quarter-final date with defending champions QAF FC last night.
BYT were playing without their coach Hj Mohd Rosanan Abdullah Samak, who is in Brazil for this week's Course for Professional Football Coaches, but it didn't matter they were up 3-0 after half an hour.
Md Shapiee Hj Mohd Effendy opened the scoring at the Balapan Track & Field at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas in the first minute, with Abdul Al-Wardy Abdul Hamid making it 2-0 seven minutes later.
Md Azwan Ali Rahman netted BYT's third goal in the 31st minute but Menglait took hold of the game in the second half, getting one back through Md Fawzan Hj Abu Kassim in the 68th minute.
The tie was a rematch of Sunday's game which had to be postponed due to poor lighting.
BYT were leading 2-0 with Abdul Al-Wardy netting the first when the match was called off at the start of the second half.
"They played according to the strategy and the first goal was really important," said BYT's coordinator Johari Hj Bungsu.
"We should have controlled the ball better in the second half but the boys lost focus. Nevertheless, in a knock-out match like this a win is all that matters.
"We will have to work hard against QAF FC and it will be a big challenge for us," added Johari.
Ninth in the 10-team DST Group Brunei Premier League II with three points from five games, Menglait are six points behind BYT who are second in the table.
Though he didn't touch on their league form, Menglait's coach said that BYT were the better side on the night.
"All three goals we let in were defensive errors, but I have no complaints about the referee," said Mohd Rodieno PD Hj Abdul Latiff. "BYT deserved to win ... They made the extra effort.
"I am very satisfied with our second half performance though. We controlled the game and our players worked hard."
BYT face QAF FC at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas at 3pm on Friday. The day's other game will see Wijaya FC take on the Royal Armed Forces' Sports Council (MS ABDB) at the Balapan Track & Field at 8pm.
The other two ties will see Jerudong FC go up against DST Group FC at the Berakas Sports Complex and Indera Sports Club battle with Majra FC at the Balapan Track & Field on Saturday. Both games are penciled in for 8pm.The Brunei Times
BYT were playing without their coach Hj Mohd Rosanan Abdullah Samak, who is in Brazil for this week's Course for Professional Football Coaches, but it didn't matter they were up 3-0 after half an hour.
Md Shapiee Hj Mohd Effendy opened the scoring at the Balapan Track & Field at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas in the first minute, with Abdul Al-Wardy Abdul Hamid making it 2-0 seven minutes later.
Md Azwan Ali Rahman netted BYT's third goal in the 31st minute but Menglait took hold of the game in the second half, getting one back through Md Fawzan Hj Abu Kassim in the 68th minute.
The tie was a rematch of Sunday's game which had to be postponed due to poor lighting.
BYT were leading 2-0 with Abdul Al-Wardy netting the first when the match was called off at the start of the second half.
"They played according to the strategy and the first goal was really important," said BYT's coordinator Johari Hj Bungsu.
"We should have controlled the ball better in the second half but the boys lost focus. Nevertheless, in a knock-out match like this a win is all that matters.
"We will have to work hard against QAF FC and it will be a big challenge for us," added Johari.
Ninth in the 10-team DST Group Brunei Premier League II with three points from five games, Menglait are six points behind BYT who are second in the table.
Though he didn't touch on their league form, Menglait's coach said that BYT were the better side on the night.
"All three goals we let in were defensive errors, but I have no complaints about the referee," said Mohd Rodieno PD Hj Abdul Latiff. "BYT deserved to win ... They made the extra effort.
"I am very satisfied with our second half performance though. We controlled the game and our players worked hard."
BYT face QAF FC at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas at 3pm on Friday. The day's other game will see Wijaya FC take on the Royal Armed Forces' Sports Council (MS ABDB) at the Balapan Track & Field at 8pm.
The other two ties will see Jerudong FC go up against DST Group FC at the Berakas Sports Complex and Indera Sports Club battle with Majra FC at the Balapan Track & Field on Saturday. Both games are penciled in for 8pm.The Brunei Times
09 May 2011
Gunners firing again
AM Gunners beat Jerudong to go 4th
AM GUNNERS FC shrugged off their recent poor form to beat Jerudong FC 4-2 to move to fourth in the DST Group Brunei Premier League I (BPL I) last night.
With losses in their previous two games to leaders the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) and Indera Sports Club who the team now displace the Gunners were looking for a win to get their season back on track.
Two points adrift of the Gunners before last night's tie at the Berakas Sports Complex, a win for Jerudong would have seen them overtake AM Gunners in the nine-team standings.
It was not to be though, and the club remain sixth in the table as a result of their fourth loss of the season.
With three points in the bag, AM Gunners manager paid tribute to his players after the match and emphasised the importance of last night's victory .
"We dropped six points in our last two games, so because of that, we needed to win tonight (Sunday)," Hj Ahmad Hj Husin told The Brunei Times during an interview.
"It was very important for us to get back our momentum. Hopefully we can win our next game and reclaim second.
"Because of postponements we have at least one game in hand against other teams ... and that has shown in the number of points we have right now," he added.
DPMM FC midfielder Hj Md Subhi Abdilah Hj Bakir broke the deadlock in the 34th minute before Md Syaraffuddin doubled the Gunners' lead two minutes before the break.
Md Shahrul Rizal Hj Abd Rahman gave the team a commanding 3-0 lead in the 57th minute but Jerudong clawed one back in the 65th minute through Md Faizul Jefri and made things interesting when Md Radzi Hj Tamat found the net in the 75th minute to set the score at 3-2.
However, a strike from Md Nazirul Nazreen Abdullah two minutes later was too much for Jerudong to recover from.
Despite the scoreline Hj Ahmad said Jerudong proved to be more than they bargained for.
"Jerudong put up a good fight ... it took us half an hour to score," he said.
"Both teams played very well and worked very hard but in the second half Jerudong were really strong and got two goals," added the manager.
Their next game is against eighth placed Prisons Department on Saturday at the Berakas Sports Complex while Jerudong next take to the field in June when the league's second round kicks off.
Action continues on Wednesday when seventh-placed Wijaya FC face Indera at the Berakas Sports Complex.The Brunei Times
AM GUNNERS FC shrugged off their recent poor form to beat Jerudong FC 4-2 to move to fourth in the DST Group Brunei Premier League I (BPL I) last night.
With losses in their previous two games to leaders the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) and Indera Sports Club who the team now displace the Gunners were looking for a win to get their season back on track.
Two points adrift of the Gunners before last night's tie at the Berakas Sports Complex, a win for Jerudong would have seen them overtake AM Gunners in the nine-team standings.
It was not to be though, and the club remain sixth in the table as a result of their fourth loss of the season.
With three points in the bag, AM Gunners manager paid tribute to his players after the match and emphasised the importance of last night's victory .
"We dropped six points in our last two games, so because of that, we needed to win tonight (Sunday)," Hj Ahmad Hj Husin told The Brunei Times during an interview.
"It was very important for us to get back our momentum. Hopefully we can win our next game and reclaim second.
"Because of postponements we have at least one game in hand against other teams ... and that has shown in the number of points we have right now," he added.
DPMM FC midfielder Hj Md Subhi Abdilah Hj Bakir broke the deadlock in the 34th minute before Md Syaraffuddin doubled the Gunners' lead two minutes before the break.
Md Shahrul Rizal Hj Abd Rahman gave the team a commanding 3-0 lead in the 57th minute but Jerudong clawed one back in the 65th minute through Md Faizul Jefri and made things interesting when Md Radzi Hj Tamat found the net in the 75th minute to set the score at 3-2.
However, a strike from Md Nazirul Nazreen Abdullah two minutes later was too much for Jerudong to recover from.
Despite the scoreline Hj Ahmad said Jerudong proved to be more than they bargained for.
"Jerudong put up a good fight ... it took us half an hour to score," he said.
"Both teams played very well and worked very hard but in the second half Jerudong were really strong and got two goals," added the manager.
Their next game is against eighth placed Prisons Department on Saturday at the Berakas Sports Complex while Jerudong next take to the field in June when the league's second round kicks off.
Action continues on Wednesday when seventh-placed Wijaya FC face Indera at the Berakas Sports Complex.The Brunei Times
02 May 2011
Draw lifts Indera to 4th
Jerudong fight back to take a point from Indera
INDERA SC and Jerudong FC settled for a share of the points in their DST Group Brunei Premier League (BPL) I game which ended 1-1 last night.
Both goals at the Berakas Sports Complex were scored inside the first 10 minutes, and though the teams would continue to create chances, neither were able to capitalise.
Muhd Afi Aminuddin, one of the six DPMM FC players in Indera, opened the scoring in the first minute before Jerudong's Md Sufian Hj Lamudin equalised six minutes later.
The result pushes Indera from fifth to fourth by displacing AM Gunners FC.
AM Gunners, who started the weekend on third, have now dropped two spots as a result of last night's game and the 1-1 draw between Majra FC and the Prisons Department on Saturday night.
Jerudong, on the other hand, remain seventh in the nine-team league.
Though he was pleased with the result, Indera coach Moksin Mohamed felt his team could have done better.
"It was a 50/50 game for us. We had our chances but failed to take them," Moksin told The Brunei Times.
His counterpart, Julkifli Hj Hitam, was just happy to have bounced back after trailing so early in the tie.
"The players did what was asked of them ... Maybe not 100 per cent but 80 per cent. They also did well to come back from that early goal," he said.
"We will be looking to get all six points from our next two games to push us up to the Top Five before the start of the second round," he added.
Jerudong face the Prisons Department on Wednesday and AM Gunners on Sunday before the first round break.
Julkifli said the second round is expected to start early next month.
Today's action will see Rimba Star take on Menglait FC in the BPL II.
The match is set for 8.15pm at the Berakas Sports Complex in Berakas.The Brunei Times
INDERA SC and Jerudong FC settled for a share of the points in their DST Group Brunei Premier League (BPL) I game which ended 1-1 last night.
Both goals at the Berakas Sports Complex were scored inside the first 10 minutes, and though the teams would continue to create chances, neither were able to capitalise.
Muhd Afi Aminuddin, one of the six DPMM FC players in Indera, opened the scoring in the first minute before Jerudong's Md Sufian Hj Lamudin equalised six minutes later.
The result pushes Indera from fifth to fourth by displacing AM Gunners FC.
AM Gunners, who started the weekend on third, have now dropped two spots as a result of last night's game and the 1-1 draw between Majra FC and the Prisons Department on Saturday night.
Jerudong, on the other hand, remain seventh in the nine-team league.
Though he was pleased with the result, Indera coach Moksin Mohamed felt his team could have done better.
"It was a 50/50 game for us. We had our chances but failed to take them," Moksin told The Brunei Times.
His counterpart, Julkifli Hj Hitam, was just happy to have bounced back after trailing so early in the tie.
"The players did what was asked of them ... Maybe not 100 per cent but 80 per cent. They also did well to come back from that early goal," he said.
"We will be looking to get all six points from our next two games to push us up to the Top Five before the start of the second round," he added.
Jerudong face the Prisons Department on Wednesday and AM Gunners on Sunday before the first round break.
Julkifli said the second round is expected to start early next month.
Today's action will see Rimba Star take on Menglait FC in the BPL II.
The match is set for 8.15pm at the Berakas Sports Complex in Berakas.The Brunei Times
10 April 2011
MS ABDB gun down Majra to move top
THE Royal Brunei Armed Forces' Sports Council (MS ABDB) edged Majra FC 1-0 to move back to the summit of the DST Group Brunei Premier League I (BPL I) last night.
Arch-rivals QAF FC earlier kicked MS ABDB down to second after their 5-3 victory over Jerudong FC at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
But Md Hardi Hj Matassan made sure QAF FC's reign only lasted over two hours scoring the winner for the army men in the 40th minute at the Penanjong Camp in Tutong to lift MS ABDB back to the top.
Goalless for 30 minutes, BPL I defending champions QAF FC were left on the backfoot when Sufri Mohaimin beat their goalkeeper Junaidi Akim in the 31st minute.
However, Md Mardi Mirza Bujang Abdullah levelled the scores three minutes after the break, before Riwandi Wahit and Adie Arsham Muhd Salleh hit a brace each to solidify QAF FC's victory.
Late goals from Jerudong FC's Faizul Jefry and Muhd Safwan Hj Md Safri failed to trouble the champions, who triumphed 5-3 to take all three points.
Despite the goal feast, both teams got off to a slow start.
QAF FC enjoyed more possession of the ball early in the match, but were unable to make any meaningful threats on Jerudong FC's goal.
Md Hendra Azam Md Idris provided QAF FC their first real chance with a lob into the opponents' box. Md Mardi sneaked past the defenders for a one-on-one with Jerudong FC goalkeeper Md Arib Hj Umar, but the latter rushed off the posts to save before the midfielder could pull the trigger.
Next Ak Md Kamarul Ariffin Pg Ramlee delivered a cross from the left flank, but Md Hardyman Abdul Lamit was not able to direct his header goalwards.
Adie Arsham could have given his team the lead when Md Mardi's through ball sliced through the Jerudong FC defence. The forward hesitated to pounce, believing himself to be in an offside position.
Once Adie Arsham realised the linesman had kept his flag down, he rushed for the shot but was denied by goalkeeper Md Arib, who was quicker to the ball for the save.
Jerudong FC also had chances in between and the best came from Mazran Hj Md Jamin's corner kick. Amidst the cluster of players crowding QAF FC's box, Md Esmendy Brahim got on the receiving end but wasted the chance by firing over the crossbar from pointblank.
Soon after, Jerudong FC's Sufri did not make the same mistake as the forward drilled a header in at the far post to give his side a surprise lead in the 31st minute.
Jerudong FC almost lost the advantage when the defence failed to stop Md Hardyman's burst on the right flank, but Md Arib denied the forward with an excellent sliding tackle to keep his side in front at the break.
Md Mardi sounded the alarm that signalled QAF FC's comeback with a beautiful freekick that beat the Jerudong FC goalkeeper in the 48th minute.
QAF FC then took the lead when Ak Md Kamarul Ariffin's corner kick was volleyed goalwards by skipper Riwandi in the 60th minute.
Four minutes later, Adie Arsham doubled QAF FC's advantage when he had the defenders beaten to cannon the ball into the bottom corner of Jerudong FC's net.
From then on, QAF FC were in total control of the match. Riwandi's header widened the gap in the 73rd minute and Adie Arsham's goal three minutes later guaranteed QAF FC the victory.
However, Jerudong FC were almost set for a miraculous comeback when Md Faizul Azmi Mohd Jalani was felled in the box. Though it seemed like QAF FC goalkeeper Junaidi had got the ball first, the referee did not hesitate to award Jerudong FC a penalty kick which Faizul buried into the back of the net in the 85th minute.
QAF FC failed to recover in time and Muhd Safwan trimmed the goal difference with a shot that beat the QAF FC goalkeeper again a minute later to make it 5-3.
But, it was just a little too late for a comeback and, even with two minutes of stoppage time, Jerudong FC had to succumb to the defeat.
The BPL II also saw action yesterday with the Brunei Youth Team held 2-2 by Lun Bawang at the Berakas Sports Complex.
Action resumes tonight with AM Gunners FC taking on LLRC FT at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.
Meanwhile, over at the Berakas Sports Complex, the BPL II match between Rimba Star FC and Menglait FC will take place.
Kickoff is at 8.15pm for both matches.The Brunei Times
Arch-rivals QAF FC earlier kicked MS ABDB down to second after their 5-3 victory over Jerudong FC at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
But Md Hardi Hj Matassan made sure QAF FC's reign only lasted over two hours scoring the winner for the army men in the 40th minute at the Penanjong Camp in Tutong to lift MS ABDB back to the top.
Goalless for 30 minutes, BPL I defending champions QAF FC were left on the backfoot when Sufri Mohaimin beat their goalkeeper Junaidi Akim in the 31st minute.
However, Md Mardi Mirza Bujang Abdullah levelled the scores three minutes after the break, before Riwandi Wahit and Adie Arsham Muhd Salleh hit a brace each to solidify QAF FC's victory.
Late goals from Jerudong FC's Faizul Jefry and Muhd Safwan Hj Md Safri failed to trouble the champions, who triumphed 5-3 to take all three points.
Despite the goal feast, both teams got off to a slow start.
QAF FC enjoyed more possession of the ball early in the match, but were unable to make any meaningful threats on Jerudong FC's goal.
Md Hendra Azam Md Idris provided QAF FC their first real chance with a lob into the opponents' box. Md Mardi sneaked past the defenders for a one-on-one with Jerudong FC goalkeeper Md Arib Hj Umar, but the latter rushed off the posts to save before the midfielder could pull the trigger.
Next Ak Md Kamarul Ariffin Pg Ramlee delivered a cross from the left flank, but Md Hardyman Abdul Lamit was not able to direct his header goalwards.
Adie Arsham could have given his team the lead when Md Mardi's through ball sliced through the Jerudong FC defence. The forward hesitated to pounce, believing himself to be in an offside position.
Once Adie Arsham realised the linesman had kept his flag down, he rushed for the shot but was denied by goalkeeper Md Arib, who was quicker to the ball for the save.
Jerudong FC also had chances in between and the best came from Mazran Hj Md Jamin's corner kick. Amidst the cluster of players crowding QAF FC's box, Md Esmendy Brahim got on the receiving end but wasted the chance by firing over the crossbar from pointblank.
Soon after, Jerudong FC's Sufri did not make the same mistake as the forward drilled a header in at the far post to give his side a surprise lead in the 31st minute.
Jerudong FC almost lost the advantage when the defence failed to stop Md Hardyman's burst on the right flank, but Md Arib denied the forward with an excellent sliding tackle to keep his side in front at the break.
Md Mardi sounded the alarm that signalled QAF FC's comeback with a beautiful freekick that beat the Jerudong FC goalkeeper in the 48th minute.
QAF FC then took the lead when Ak Md Kamarul Ariffin's corner kick was volleyed goalwards by skipper Riwandi in the 60th minute.
Four minutes later, Adie Arsham doubled QAF FC's advantage when he had the defenders beaten to cannon the ball into the bottom corner of Jerudong FC's net.
From then on, QAF FC were in total control of the match. Riwandi's header widened the gap in the 73rd minute and Adie Arsham's goal three minutes later guaranteed QAF FC the victory.
However, Jerudong FC were almost set for a miraculous comeback when Md Faizul Azmi Mohd Jalani was felled in the box. Though it seemed like QAF FC goalkeeper Junaidi had got the ball first, the referee did not hesitate to award Jerudong FC a penalty kick which Faizul buried into the back of the net in the 85th minute.
QAF FC failed to recover in time and Muhd Safwan trimmed the goal difference with a shot that beat the QAF FC goalkeeper again a minute later to make it 5-3.
But, it was just a little too late for a comeback and, even with two minutes of stoppage time, Jerudong FC had to succumb to the defeat.
The BPL II also saw action yesterday with the Brunei Youth Team held 2-2 by Lun Bawang at the Berakas Sports Complex.
Action resumes tonight with AM Gunners FC taking on LLRC FT at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.
Meanwhile, over at the Berakas Sports Complex, the BPL II match between Rimba Star FC and Menglait FC will take place.
Kickoff is at 8.15pm for both matches.The Brunei Times
04 April 2011
QAF FC ride their 'Tuah' to victory
QAF FC do not need luck when they already have Ratano Tuah in the squad. The 35-year-old leftback whose father's name Tuah translates to 'luck' in English scored the winning goal in their DST Group Brunei Premier League I match against the Prisons Department at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas yesterday.
Prisons Department Md Hanafizal Helman Hanafiah's brace was not enough to help his team as Muhd Hafiz Mahari, Adie Arsham Muhd Salleh and Ratano were on target for the defending BPL I champions to win by a 3-2 scoreline.
Though QAF FC were in control early in the match, they were unable to pose any real threat as the jailers kept their perimeter in check.
The closest QAF FC got on goal was when Md Mardi Mirza Bujang Abdullah sliced his free kick over the defence but it sailed wide off the mark.
Meanwhile, the Prisons Department, who admirably were able to fend off QAF FC's barrage of attacks for so long, had yet to find a shot on goal 20 minutes into the match.
The jailers were given a wake-up call a minute after QAF FC substitute Muhd Hafiz stepped onto the field to take the place of Md Aqmal Hakeem Abdul Hamid, who picked up an injury.
A low cross from the right flank penetrated into Prisons Department's box and the 19-year-old Muhd Hafiz was left unmarked to easily tap the ball in to give QAF FC the edge in the 22nd minute.
It sparked Prisons Department's charge into the opponents' territory and Md Shaeruddin Suhaile could have easily restored parity after the opener.
Shahrum Anik unleashed the forward through on goal but Md Shaeruddin blasted the ball wide with only QAF FC goalkeeper Junaidi Akim left standing.
The Prisons Department finally caught the much needed break when Md Mandudi Helmi Kasmi won a freekick at the edge of QAF FC's box. Teammate Md Hanafizal fired a missile to Junaidi's top right corner to score the equaliser in the 35th minute.
However, the jailers' were made to pay soon after when they failed to clear another low cross. Adie Arsham only had to direct the ball past goalkeeper Azman Ilham Hj Md Noor to restore QAF FC's advantage in the 39th minute.
Md Mardi Mirza also buried the ball into the back of the jailers' net but the midfielder was flagged offside just before the break.
QAF FC wasted no time to try and widen the gap after the break. Prisons Department's goalkeeper Azman Ilham had to stretch twice to deny Sabri Abdullah and Adie Arsham.
Yet there was nothing the goalkeeper could do when leftback Ratano rifled in from close range to make it 3-1 in the 51st minute.
With the Prisons Department left on the backfoot, tempers started to flare when rough tackles were exchanged.
QAF FC's Adie Arsham was lucky to only receive a yellow card after a blatant backhand slap to Adizam Jaludin's face. It was a response to the latter's subtle elbow to the forward's chest.
Md Shaeruddin made his last contribution to the team, before being substituted, by playing Md Mandudi clear on goal with only the QAF FC goalkeeper to beat. Yet Junaidi dived excellently to keep QAF FC's two-goal advantage.
QAF FC might have won the game, but the goal of the match went to Prisons Department's Md Hanafizal. The midfielder jinked past two QAF FC players before pulling the trigger from outside the box with the ball curling beyond Junaidi's reach in the 70th minute.
The lower-tier league, the BPL II, also saw action yesterday.
Organisers Football Federation of Brunei Darussalam's pet project the Brunei Youth Team (BYT) jumped to second after a 6-1 victory over Menglait FC earlier in the day.
Md Khairil Shahme scored a brace, while BYT teammates Md Wardy, Md Nur Ikhwan, Fakrul Tamimi, Ak Abd Halim added to the tally with a goal each.
Meanwhile, Muara Vella FC soared to third after outgunning Perkasa 6-2. Muara Vella's goals came from Aimmil, who fired a double, and teammates Yahya, Muqaddem and Faizal also found the net in the goalfest. The victors were also aided by Perkasa's Basri who scored an own goal.The Brunei Times
Prisons Department Md Hanafizal Helman Hanafiah's brace was not enough to help his team as Muhd Hafiz Mahari, Adie Arsham Muhd Salleh and Ratano were on target for the defending BPL I champions to win by a 3-2 scoreline.
Though QAF FC were in control early in the match, they were unable to pose any real threat as the jailers kept their perimeter in check.
The closest QAF FC got on goal was when Md Mardi Mirza Bujang Abdullah sliced his free kick over the defence but it sailed wide off the mark.
Meanwhile, the Prisons Department, who admirably were able to fend off QAF FC's barrage of attacks for so long, had yet to find a shot on goal 20 minutes into the match.
The jailers were given a wake-up call a minute after QAF FC substitute Muhd Hafiz stepped onto the field to take the place of Md Aqmal Hakeem Abdul Hamid, who picked up an injury.
A low cross from the right flank penetrated into Prisons Department's box and the 19-year-old Muhd Hafiz was left unmarked to easily tap the ball in to give QAF FC the edge in the 22nd minute.
It sparked Prisons Department's charge into the opponents' territory and Md Shaeruddin Suhaile could have easily restored parity after the opener.
Shahrum Anik unleashed the forward through on goal but Md Shaeruddin blasted the ball wide with only QAF FC goalkeeper Junaidi Akim left standing.
The Prisons Department finally caught the much needed break when Md Mandudi Helmi Kasmi won a freekick at the edge of QAF FC's box. Teammate Md Hanafizal fired a missile to Junaidi's top right corner to score the equaliser in the 35th minute.
However, the jailers' were made to pay soon after when they failed to clear another low cross. Adie Arsham only had to direct the ball past goalkeeper Azman Ilham Hj Md Noor to restore QAF FC's advantage in the 39th minute.
Md Mardi Mirza also buried the ball into the back of the jailers' net but the midfielder was flagged offside just before the break.
QAF FC wasted no time to try and widen the gap after the break. Prisons Department's goalkeeper Azman Ilham had to stretch twice to deny Sabri Abdullah and Adie Arsham.
Yet there was nothing the goalkeeper could do when leftback Ratano rifled in from close range to make it 3-1 in the 51st minute.
With the Prisons Department left on the backfoot, tempers started to flare when rough tackles were exchanged.
QAF FC's Adie Arsham was lucky to only receive a yellow card after a blatant backhand slap to Adizam Jaludin's face. It was a response to the latter's subtle elbow to the forward's chest.
Md Shaeruddin made his last contribution to the team, before being substituted, by playing Md Mandudi clear on goal with only the QAF FC goalkeeper to beat. Yet Junaidi dived excellently to keep QAF FC's two-goal advantage.
QAF FC might have won the game, but the goal of the match went to Prisons Department's Md Hanafizal. The midfielder jinked past two QAF FC players before pulling the trigger from outside the box with the ball curling beyond Junaidi's reach in the 70th minute.
The lower-tier league, the BPL II, also saw action yesterday.
Organisers Football Federation of Brunei Darussalam's pet project the Brunei Youth Team (BYT) jumped to second after a 6-1 victory over Menglait FC earlier in the day.
Md Khairil Shahme scored a brace, while BYT teammates Md Wardy, Md Nur Ikhwan, Fakrul Tamimi, Ak Abd Halim added to the tally with a goal each.
Meanwhile, Muara Vella FC soared to third after outgunning Perkasa 6-2. Muara Vella's goals came from Aimmil, who fired a double, and teammates Yahya, Muqaddem and Faizal also found the net in the goalfest. The victors were also aided by Perkasa's Basri who scored an own goal.The Brunei Times
FFBD: We're just following Fifa's rules
THE Football Federation of Brunei Darussalam (FFBD) has issued a statement to clarify their import ban rule for the 2010/11 DST Group Brunei Premier League (BPL), stating that they were only following the rules.
The import ban rule, which was confirmed in late February, states that "this season no import players will be allowed, including those that hold green identification cards".
This has led to former Projek Ikan Pusu striker, Nelson Fitzgerald, being denied a spot to play for a BPL I side as he currently holds a green identification card.
He had sent in an appeal to have the ruling overturned earlier this month but was informed that it was unsuccessful.
The FFBD issued a statement to The Brunei Times yesterday and elaborated that they were just following the Fifa (the Federation of International Football Associations) ruling, whilst the international ban on Brunei Darussalam is still in force.
"The rule banning import players was introduced by FFBD this season only and the rule was always meant to be further reviewed at the end of the season," said the statement
"The rule was introduced to ensure a more level playing field amongst the participating teams, since other clubs are not able to employ imports due to financial constraints as well as the current ban of Brunei Darussalam from international competitions imposed by Fifa," it added.
"This Fifa rule means that no foreign players holding International Transfer Certificates (ITC) will be allowed to play in the DST Group Brunei Premier League," continued the statement.
The statement also included the reasoning behind Nelson's appeal being turned down to play for a BPL I side.
"The FFBD Competitions Committee did meet to discuss the merits of the appeal. However, the committee unanimously dismissed the said appeal, hence upholding the rule imposed earlier," said the statement.
"The Competitions Committee in its deliberations also noted that Nelson Fitzgerald wanted to play for Jerudong FC, where FFBD Exco members are also represented. Hence the committee also wanted to preserve the integrity of the rule to avoid allegations of favouritism towards any particular team.
"In its official reply to the appeal dated 21st March, however, the FFBD through its Secretary General made it clear that the non-import player rule only applies to the DST Group Brunei Premier League (being the official national football league in the country) and not to other age group leagues organised by FFBD," continued the statement.
"Hence, Nelson Fitzgerald will be able to play in any U-18 or U-19 leagues which FFBD also intends to organise later this year, time and venue considerations permitting," concluded the statement.
Regarding the above matter, Nelson's father, Ken Fitzgerald, had separately taken action by seeking support of State and National Football Authorities in Australia. However, it proved there was nothing that Football Federation Australia (FFA) could do in their reply.
"I am sorry to hear of your son's situation it is always a shame when administrative issues prevent participation in football. Unfortunately, I must advise that Football Federation Australia is unable to make any correspondence with the local governing body (FFBD) at this time," said the reply.
"Brunei is currently suspended from Fifa and accordingly FFA is prevented by Fifa from communicating with Football Federation Brunei Darussalam. I can also confirm that FFA has had to withdraw its approval to school tours planning on visiting this country as a result of the Fifa ban," it added.
The Brunei Times
The import ban rule, which was confirmed in late February, states that "this season no import players will be allowed, including those that hold green identification cards".
This has led to former Projek Ikan Pusu striker, Nelson Fitzgerald, being denied a spot to play for a BPL I side as he currently holds a green identification card.
He had sent in an appeal to have the ruling overturned earlier this month but was informed that it was unsuccessful.
The FFBD issued a statement to The Brunei Times yesterday and elaborated that they were just following the Fifa (the Federation of International Football Associations) ruling, whilst the international ban on Brunei Darussalam is still in force.
"The rule banning import players was introduced by FFBD this season only and the rule was always meant to be further reviewed at the end of the season," said the statement
"The rule was introduced to ensure a more level playing field amongst the participating teams, since other clubs are not able to employ imports due to financial constraints as well as the current ban of Brunei Darussalam from international competitions imposed by Fifa," it added.
"This Fifa rule means that no foreign players holding International Transfer Certificates (ITC) will be allowed to play in the DST Group Brunei Premier League," continued the statement.
The statement also included the reasoning behind Nelson's appeal being turned down to play for a BPL I side.
"The FFBD Competitions Committee did meet to discuss the merits of the appeal. However, the committee unanimously dismissed the said appeal, hence upholding the rule imposed earlier," said the statement.
"The Competitions Committee in its deliberations also noted that Nelson Fitzgerald wanted to play for Jerudong FC, where FFBD Exco members are also represented. Hence the committee also wanted to preserve the integrity of the rule to avoid allegations of favouritism towards any particular team.
"In its official reply to the appeal dated 21st March, however, the FFBD through its Secretary General made it clear that the non-import player rule only applies to the DST Group Brunei Premier League (being the official national football league in the country) and not to other age group leagues organised by FFBD," continued the statement.
"Hence, Nelson Fitzgerald will be able to play in any U-18 or U-19 leagues which FFBD also intends to organise later this year, time and venue considerations permitting," concluded the statement.
Regarding the above matter, Nelson's father, Ken Fitzgerald, had separately taken action by seeking support of State and National Football Authorities in Australia. However, it proved there was nothing that Football Federation Australia (FFA) could do in their reply.
"I am sorry to hear of your son's situation it is always a shame when administrative issues prevent participation in football. Unfortunately, I must advise that Football Federation Australia is unable to make any correspondence with the local governing body (FFBD) at this time," said the reply.
"Brunei is currently suspended from Fifa and accordingly FFA is prevented by Fifa from communicating with Football Federation Brunei Darussalam. I can also confirm that FFA has had to withdraw its approval to school tours planning on visiting this country as a result of the Fifa ban," it added.
The Brunei Times
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