Protecting their 100% record

Jason Thomas
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN



Friday, March 30, 2012

DPMM FC'S unbeaten Singapore League (S-League) run topped Shahrazen Said's (pic, foreground in red) mind ahead of tonight's game against Gombak United FC.

The unbeaten record is one they share with Harimau Muda (Malaysian Under-23 team), and both sides' dodged determination to maintain the status quo went a long way in explaining the feisty 1-1 draw when they met last Thursday, when DPMM FC coach Vjeran Simunic was sent to the stands and hence will not be on the bench for today's match, according to a report on Gombak United's website.

Gombak, whose only win came on March 9 when they beat Tanjong Pagar United FC 3-0, head into tonight's game as underdogs though the tie at the Jurong West Stadium in Singapore between DPMM FC, the 2009 Singapore League champions, and Gombak, who won the 2008 edition, might have more to it than meets the eye.

Home United FC enjoy a one-point advantage atop the 13-team table, but their unbeaten run came to an end last night when they were on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline against Tampines Rovers FC at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore, where Aleksander Duric (37th minute) and Ahmed Fahmie (83rd minute) provided the goals.

"We have to do the same thing we've been doing in the previous matches ... Give more than 100 per cent to get the three points and hold our unbeaten record," said the striker yesterday.

"Right now, I'm not sure which Gombak players will be a threat ... Though we must focus on the five imports," added Shahrazen, who has netted twice in the team's five games this season.

Tenth in the table with a return of six points from a possible 15 is definitely not the kind of result Gombak coach K Balagumaran will be happy with, though his counterpart Simunic (pic) won't be complaining with his team's recent stellar run.

DPMM FC, who have slipped from first after the Harimau Muda stalemate to fourth after wins by three of their nearest rivals over the course of the week, can take heart in the fact that they are tied on 11 points with second-placed Young Tigers, third-placed Tampines and fifth-placed Balestier Khalsa FC which means they can top the table once again if they win tonight's match.

A high-scoring draw will also be enough for the visitors to leave the Jurong West Stadium at the summit of the league, and a lot of that will depend on how well Simunic's forward three can link up.

Shahrazen has been playing well with strike partner Osman Basiru, whose surging runs down the flanks usually on the left almost always end up with a foul on the Ghanaian or a scoring opportunity.

The team's top scorer with three goals, Basiru will know that he will be a marked man tonight.

Shahrazen is no pushover either, finishing joint top scorer during the Malaysian Super League (MSL) 2006/2007 season with 21 goals to prove his status as one of the region's top marksmen.

Though DPMM FC have netted 11 times this season, the attacking trio of Basiru the team's top scorer with three goals Shahrazen and Rodrigo Gral have hardly set the league on fire.

It is easier said than done though, considering both Basiru and Gral are in their first season with the club.

Gral has been getting some mixed reviews since joining, but the former Jubilo Iwata and Yokohama Marinos man has proved his worth with timely contributions.

The Brazilian netted DPMM FC's only goal during the fiery 1-1 draw against Harimau Muda, opening his accounts for the club by scoring the winner in their 2-1 result over then league leaders Albirex Niigata FC (S) on March 11 in another crucial game.

The goal against Harimau Muda was the first time the Malaysians found their net breached, making the strike which came from a Basiru pass all the more memorable.

Last night also saw Tanjong Pagar United FC pick up their first victory of the season after Hafiz Osman netted in the 72nd minute to secure a 1-0 win over Geylang United FC in the bottom of the table clash at the Queenstown Stadium. Tanjong Pagar now move up to 11th from 12th to displace Geylang.

The result also means that the Courts Young Lions (Singapore Under-23 team) are the only team yet to pick up a point, languishing at the foot of the league but with only four games to their name, have played the least amount of matches this campaign.

Home United, in contrast, have taken to the field seven times so far.The Brunei Times

Isa guns down Indera SC

Jason Thomas &
Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN


Monday, March 26, 2012

AN ISA Hj Bahar brace helped the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) to an easy 3-1 win over Indera Sports Club in last night's DST National Football League Group C action.

Opening the scoring in the 11th minute after beating Indera goalkeeper Ak Omar Nur Aqammadin Pg Hj Sallehudin in a one-on-one situation, he netted his second in the 77th minute after a through ball had sliced the Indera defence wide open.

Substitute Mohamad Zairol Kamat received the pass from midfield and a helpless Ak Omar Nur Aqammadin facing a two-on-one. Mohamad Zairol squared the ball to Isa, who found the back of the net despite a last ditch dive by Ak Omar Nur Aqammadin.

By then it was already 2-1, a Md Azwan Ali Rahman strike in the 67th minute boosting Indera's confidence but not doing enough for them to claw their way back against a fitter and faster MS ABDB side at the Balapan Track & Field, Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.

Mohamed Amir Ajmal Mohamed Tahir made it 2-0 nine minutes after the break when he powerfully headed home a pin-point cross from Zool Hilmi Hj Abd Razak, though Indera's defence really should have done better marking Zool Hilmi and challenging Mohamed Amir Ajmal inside the box.

Putting out a fresh-faced team seven of the first 11 were Under-23 Indera found it hard to break down a well-organised MS ABDB defence.

MS ABDB's manager Major Suhaimi Jamali felt his team deserved to win last night and praised his men for their hard work.

Meanwhile, Adi Said was on the scoresheet as Majra FC started their league campaign on the right note after beating Menglait FC at the Stadium Kebajikan Berakas Sports Complex yesterday.

Adi opened the scoring in the 41st minute when he latched on to a ball from the corner kick.

A tactical change in the second half for Menglait proved to work as they equalised in the 58th minute to level the score to 1-1.

Adi limped out of the game in the second half after a strong challenged by a defender.

Majra FC continued to press heavily on the opposition defence in the dying minute of the second half and their effort was finally paid off in the 89th minute when Zimi Hj Bakirs cross was calmly tapped in by Ahmad Hafiz Said, the elder brother of Adi, to give Majra FC their first win of the season

Majra FC assistant coach Hj Mahadi Hj Md Zain was happy with his boys' performance but said that they need to improve on their stamina and fitness.

In other matches, a brace from Idris Lupat helped Lun Bawang defeated Besa FC 2-1 at the Balapan Track and Field in Berakas.

Jerudong FC handed Group B basement dwellers Seri Bolkiah 1 an 8-0 thrashing thanks to a Md Enddy Soehardy Awg Sapar hat-trick and braces by Md Asnawi Syazni Abd Aziz and Md Bazli Md Said. Md Shah Johan Hj Shari scored for Seri Bolkiah I.The Brunei Times

DRAW ENOUGH TO PUSH DPMM TO TOP OF S-LEAGUE

SINGAPORE (23 March 2012) – A 1-1 draw against Harimau Muda was enough to give DPMM FC the top spot in the S-League in the match that was played last night at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

The pulsating tie between the ambitious side from Brunei and against the gutsy side from Singapore was however marred by the sending off of DPMM coach Vjeran Simunic at the tail end of the game.


The action was end to end in the first half but neither team could make a difference to the score line. Following some sustained pressure after break, DPMM finally broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when Ghanaian striker Osman Basiru put the ball through for Rodrigo Gral to rifle home.


Harimau Muda’s chief coach Ong Kim Swee then brought in the battling Thamil Arasu and midfielder Muhamad Nazmi Faiz Mansor in the 64th minute to provide more bite upfront.


Four minutes later, the Malaysian youngesters finally nailed the equalizer for both teams to share the spoils. Gary Steven Robbat evaded his marker outside the box and unleashed a furious cannonball to beat DPMM custodian Wardun Yussof.


The draw kept Harimau Muda on fifth with their next game against the Young Lions on 25 March 2012.

aseanfootball

DPMM FC deserve to be leaders: Rivals

Jason Thomas
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN



Sunday, March 18, 2012

THERE was no doubt in V Kanan's mind that Geylang United FC were second best on Friday night.

Suffering their fourth straight loss of the Singapore League (S-League) campaign by falling 4-1 to DPMM FC, the Geylang coach admitted his men didn't give Brunei's only professional football club enough of a fight.

The result at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas meant DPMM FC now sit pretty atop the 13-team S-League table with 10 points from four games and enjoy a game in hand over nearest rivals Home United FC.

Geylang, meanwhile, remain rooted to the bottom of the table without a win to their name.

"We conceded some silly goals," sighed Kanan, who was in charge of the team for the first time.

"Nevertheless, DPMM FC played some good football and they deserved to win.

"The boys worked very hard and I thought at 2-1 we could have come back.

"But I'm proud of my team this was their best performance in our four games," declared Kanan, who used to coach the club's Prime League team for 10 years and led them to the title last season.

After a promising start Shahrazen Said got DPMM FC on the scoresheet in the 23rd minute, with Ghanian striker Osman Basiru netting his third goal of the season 12 minutes later.

The team had their foot off the gas in the second half and were punished for it when Brazilian centre-back Tales Ricarte dos Santos lost the ball to Michael King inside the box. His last-ditch tackle felled the former Burnley player and resulted in a penalty kick which Jozef Kaplan cooly slotted home.

The visitors would enjoy more possession after the goal and did well to create space on the flanks, setting up a nervy few minutes for the home fans.

But dos Santos made up for his mistake by connecting on a superb free-kick from Croatian midfielder Ivan Jerkovic in the 78th minute, and they got their fourth goal in injury time when substitute Helmi Zambin's persistence led to him heading home his own rebound after a scything cross-field pass from Azwan Salleh the first goal of the season for both players

Brazilian striker Rodrigo Grahl had another quiet game for DPMM FC, which probably accounted for his substitution with Helmi six minutes before time.

Vjeran Simunic, though, said there was more to it than met the eye.

"Grahl played with injections today (Friday) so I must say he is very professional though it is risky," said the DPMM FC coach.

"Helmi had an excellent goal they were all excellent.

"My players gave 200 per cent for this win. But, Geylang really worked hard too and I'm not sure how they lost their last game 7-1," said the Croatian, adding that the team did make six changes from the side that self-destructed against Home United FC.

As confident as Simunic always is, he didn't want to answer questions on whether the Brunei team could maintain their good performance. He also didn't feel it was a problem that goalkeeper Wardun Yussof had not kept a clean sheet in any of their four games.

"Again, I'm happy with how we played just four days after our last game (against Albirex Niigata FC (S) on Sunday)," he said.

"We survived a horrible schedule ... If we got three draws from it I'd also be excited.

"We always fight from game to game. Even if we always win 3-1, 3-1 ... We'd still be champions.

"I'm very sorry for Wardun because this was a game he could have kept a clean sheet.

"But you must know, this is football, not a shopping centre."The Brunei Times

Ensuring smooth running of Nat'l Football League

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN


Sunday, March 18, 2012


THE National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) held a briefing yesterday to ensure that everything runs smoothly for the remainder of the DST National Football League season.

Held at the Multipurpose Hall of the NFABD House in Berakas, the briefing was attended by representatives of all participating teams and other NFABD officials.

Present to chair the event was NFABD Secretary-General, Mohd Noor Hj Abdullah.

Issues brought up included punctuality, discipline and the latest schedule for the league matches.

The DST National Football League season had a one-month break to give way to the recently-concluded Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT).

A Group A clash between FC Phosphor and Setia Perdana will kick things off once again on Friday at the Balapan Track & Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas at 8.15pm.

With a total of five games to be played next weekend, Berakas Besa FC will go up against Lun Bawang at the same venue on Saturday at 4.15pm.

Indera Sports Club and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces' Sports Council (MS ABDB) will face each other on the same day at 8.15pm.

Last but not least, Majra United FC are set to take on Menglait FC while Jerudong FC will see action against Seri Bolkiah 1 on Sunday.

Both matches will be held at the Berakas Sports Complex in Berakas with the former to kick off at 4.15pm and the latter at 8.15pm.

Thirty-two teams divided into four groups are competing in the tournament, with winners and runners-up of each group gaining automatic qualification to compete in the elite DST National Super League, where they will be joined by the two best third-placed teams. The DST National Football League is expected to end on June 3.

There will also be the Top Scorer, Best Player, Best Goalkeeper and Fair Play Awards up for grabs.The Brunei Times

4-star DPMM FC go top

Jason Thomas
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN


Saturday, March 17, 2012


DPMM FC moved to the summit of the Singapore League (S-League) after a seemingly convincing 4-1 win over Geylang United FC last night, jumping five places and becoming the first team to break the 10-point barrier.

Though on paper the match against the basement dwellers wasn't meant to trouble the team, on the pitch, it proved to be a different story especially after the visitors promisingly powered forward after pulling back to 2-1 with a Jozef Kaplan penalty on the hour mark.

But weathering the storm, Brunei's only professional football club would add to their advantage with season-first goals from centre-back Tales Ricarte dos Santos and substitute Helmi Zambin, the latter's 90th minute strike ensuring all three points at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.

Their third win in four games, the ever-confident Vjeran Simunic was in a buoyant mood after the match.

"Absolutely! I feel we deserve to be on top," said the DPMM FC coach.

"It's like in Formula 1 we are now in pole position. I'm happy that we could one day be leading the league.

"The game is nothing surprising for me. I said it would be dangerous at 2-0 and a little mistake made it 2-1 ... But that's football," shrugged the Croatian.

With a 2-0 lead at the break, complacency started to creep into DPMM FC's game in the second half with the "little mistake" coming when dos Santos gave the ball away to an onrushing Michael King and brought the former Burnley player down in the box.

The Eagles would soar forward bolstered by the well-taken Kaplan penalty, but King's 71st minute shot with his back to goal was the best opportunity they would get to even the scores with Geylang failing to trouble goalkeeper Wardun Yussof for the rest of the match.

Shahrazen Said opened the scoring in the 23rd minute but Ghanian striker Osman Basiru did all the hard work.

Dribbling past three defenders on the left, he smashed a shot that bounced off the left post but was met with a half-volley from Shahrazen the fan favourite picking up his second goal of the season.

Capping off an encouraging combination on attack from all three of DPMM FC's forwards, the free-flowing second goal was bound to put a smile on Simunic's face where once again, the team were able to exploit space on the left.

Shahrazen evaded his markers and squared the ball to Brazilian striker Rodrigo Grahl who wisely laid it off to Basiru.

Rifling the ball to the top of the net, his third goal in four games has now made him the team's top scorer.

"I was confident I would score," grinned Basiru after the game. "I think I have been getting better every game ... I need to help the club," added the 23-year-old hitman.

Dos Santos brought the team back from their second-half lull when the lanky Brazilian headed home a pin-point free-kick from Croatian midfielder Ivan Jerkovic in the 78th minute, and Simunic's decision to replace the ineffective Grahl for Helmi in the 84th minute paid off when the diminutive 25-year-old headed in his own rebound after a searching cross-field pass from midfielder Azwan Salleh.

The Brunei Times

DST National Football League all set to resume

Jason Thomas
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN



Tuesday, March 13, 2012

FC PHOSPHOR take on Setia Perdana next Saturday in the first DST National Football League match since the one-month break for the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT).

Brunei football has been awash in jubilation since the national Under-21 team clinched the HBT for the first time since the biennial tournament was organised in 2002, topping the fourth edition of the regional meet after beating Indonesia 2-0 last Friday.

And now that the euphoria from the historic win is slowly beginning to die down, the local football league can take a front seat once again with the Group A clash between FC Phosphor and Setia Perdana at 8:15pm one of the five games to be contested next weekend.

Two more games will be played at the Balapan Track & Field, Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas Besa FC going up against Lun Bawang and Indera Sports Club hoping to gun down the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB).

Both slated for next Sunday, the former will kick-off at 4:15pm while the latter is scheduled for 8:15pm.

Perennial favourites in any competition they enter, MS ABDB were denied the league title last season and believe they have some unfinished business to settle. The army men were enjoying a six-point advantage in the old DST Group Brunei Premier League (BPL) I when it was stopped on June 13, leading their manager, Major Suhaimi Jamali, to tell The Brunei Times earlier this year that they would be the team to beat.

Rounding off the list of five matches are the games between Majra United FC against Menglait FC and Jerudong FC against Seri Bolkiah 1.

The former will start at 4:15pm while the latter is set for 8:15pm, both at the Berakas Sports Complex.

Winners of the only national-level trophy handed out last season, the DST Group Brunei League Cup, Majra head into the game as the team to beat.

Organised by the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD), a new format of play has been introduced in the revamped league this season.

Thirty-two teams divided into four groups will be competing in the tournament, with winners and runners-up of each group gaining automatic qualification to compete in the elite DST National Super League, where they will be joined by the two best third-placed teams.

The DST National Football League is expected to end on June 3, after which the teams in the DST National Super League will be revealed.

A total of 166 goals have been scored in the 37 matches played to date, with Group A leaders Liang Lumut Recreation Club Football Team (LLRC FT) the league's on-form side after netting 23 goals - thanks largely to their 8-0 thrashing of Youngsters FC on Jan 9.

Winning all three of their games, their star player, Md Helmie Md Noorazmi, currently leads the league in scoring with six goals to his name.

In a Press release issued yesterday the competition's working committee stated that no matches will be played during public holidays or days when DPMM FC Brunei's only professional football team, which is currently competing in the Singapore League play their home games at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas, Bandar Seri Begawan.

The working committee also wished to remind teams that have yet to submit their full list of 25 players to do so before 4pm on Friday, March 16.

Teams are advised to contact NFABD House at 2380047 for more information.

The Brunei Times