DPMM FC raring to go despite harsh fixtures

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, January 23, 2014

DPMM FC striker Shahrazen Said believes that competitive pre-season matches will help his team withstand a tough run of games in the S-League this season.
The club will be leaving for Thailand tomorrow to compete in the Saksee Phuket Cup as they step up their preparations for their first match of the season against Albirex Niigata (S) on February 22 at the Jurong East Stadium in Singapore.
They will then face Warriors FC on February 28 at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas before travelling to Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore to play Home United on March 13.
DPMM FC next host defending champions Tampines Rover FC on March 23.
“It is good to have stronger teams earlier in the season, I prefer it that way as we can measure our strength and try to win the league... Also I think that pre-season games are very important to keep us ready and fit to face strong teams,” said Shahrazen.
“The coach is still looking for his best 11 for this season, and the pre-season games in Phuket are where you want to prove that you are (deserve to be the) starting eleven, so we must treat this tournament competitively,” he added.
Captain Rosmin Hj Kamis echoed Shahrazen’s sentiments.
“Yes it is quite a tough fixture, but we have to face them sooner or later, so it doesn’t matter,” said Rosmin.
“If we can win get three points in our first match, it will be good for the team's confidence.”
For seasoned players like Shahrazen and Rosmin, the fixtures are not too much of a concern but it is certainly intimidating for the younger players like Azwan Ali Rahman and Mohd Hendra Azam Mohd Idris.
“It is quite tough… We got Albirex, Warriors, Home United and Tampines in our first four games,” said 22-year-old Azwan.
“I do not want to think too much about it. The only thing that we can do for now is to keep training hard,” he said.
Mohd Hendra said: “We have to focus on ourselves this year if we are to compete for the title.”
“Last season was very disappointing, I hope with the new coach (Steve Kean) we will be able to bounce back this season.”
Kean, the former Blackburn Rovers manager, will be leading the Sultanate’s only professional club this season following the departure of Croatian Vjeran Simunic.
DPMM finished runners-up of the S-League in 2012, their best ever finish in the competition yet.
They also won the League Cup for a second time that year but only managed an eighth-place finish last year.

The Brunei Times

NFABD: We are unaware of match fixing in Brunei

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, January 23, 2014

THE National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) yesterday said that they had not received any inquiry linking the Sultanate to global betting syndicates.
A report published by themalaymailonline.com quoted former FIFA security head Chris Eaton who said Malaysians had ties with global betting syndicates and were linked to leagues and agents in Australia, England and Brunei.
But the NFABD said they were not aware of the issue.
“We have not heard any of it and this is the first time I am hearing about it,” said NFABD Vice-President Pehin Datu Indera Sugara Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof Abu Bakar.
“We have not received any official or unofficial inquiry regarding the issue, and I am very surprised to hear it,” he added.
In the report, Eaton said he was aware of Malaysians who are linked to fixing league matches with connections in Australia, England and Brunei.
“But it’s far bigger than Malaysia as you know. All our tracks are leading to China and Russia via compliant, complicit and ignorant others,” the director of Sport Integrity at the International Centre for Sport and Security was quoted as saying..
Eaton said he was unsure if the Malaysian League (M-League) — which kicked-off last week — was spared from such activities.
“We are in the middle of these inquiries now. We haven’t looked at the M-league for a while. Just look at the names of (match-fixers) those arrested in Australia and England. These guys use each other’s names and even passports from time to time.”
“You have had the self-destruction of several Singapore based match-fixing syndicates through infighting over the past two years. These syndicates have Malaysians and Malaysian bested colleagues, runners and opportunity-spotters for instance. These are all pawns of the betting-fraud (while the) kingpins, and almost all, are China nationals, Malaysians or Russians.”
Eaton, in 2011, said Malaysians were involved in match-fixing scandals in Germany, Finland and Singapore but insisted it did not involve the FA of Malaysia.

The Brunei Times

QAF and Jerudong share spoils

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Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

bandar seri begawan

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

QAF FC were held to a 2-2 draw by Jerudong FC in the opener of the 2014 DST Super League at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Spots Complex in Berakas last night.
QAF manager Rahim Hj Daud told The Brunei Times that he was relieved to walk away from the match with a point but expressed disappointment with how the performance of the team.
“I am not happy with the boys tonight. Even though we controlled the game, we missed a lot of chances,” he said.
“I don’t know what happened tonight, maybe the field is too slippery after the rain or maybe the players did not give their all in the game but I am very thankful that we did not lose the game,” he added.
QAF was the first to create a real chance when Petrus Jumat's cross found Hardi Bujang on the left inside the penalty box but his shot was parried by Jerudong goalkeeper Mohd Khairul Anuar Hj Abd Ghani.
Jerudong had a chance to take the lead but their calls for a penalty — after striker Mohd Julremi Hj Zaini was brought down by captain Riwandi Abd Wahit — fell on deaf ears.
A few minutes later Jerudong caught QAF napping as they allowed Mohd Julremi to run freely into the penalty box following a clearance from Jerudong's own half.
Mohd Julremi calmly slotted the ball from close range to give Jerudong a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute.
The QAF midfield responded and took control of the game with Mohd Hardyman Abdul Lamit holding a defensive role, while, twin brothers Mardi Mirza Abdullah Bujang and Hardi pressed higher up the pitch.
Mardi Mirza put on an impressive performance, especially in the first-half with his accurate passes, but were most impressive on both flanks.
Sam Frank — on the right — and Petrus Jumat caused a lot of trouble for Jerudong with their pace and crosses, with the former equalising in the 42nd minute with a stunning header from the edge of the box following a corner kick from the right.
Mohd Asnawi Syazwi Abd Aziz was particularly impressive for Jerudong, the winger found himself with a good scoring opportunity in the box, but he could only muster a weak shot with his left foot.
QAF also dominated the second-half, but again it was Jerudong who found the net, Mohd Endy Soehardy Awg Sapar capitalising on a poor clearance by QAF defender inside the penalty box.
QAF continued to pile the pressure on Jerudong as they searched for an equaliser.
They finally got their reward in the 73rd minute when Frank beat Jerudong goalkeeper from outside the penalty box with a spectacular shot following an impressive pin-point cross by Mohd Hardyman from the right.
Mohd Asnawi missed the chance to put Jerudong ahead a few minutes later when he headed wide a Mohd Radzi Tamat cross from the right.
Mardi Mirza should have scored in the 80th minute when he was set through inside the penalty box, but he blasted the ball wide.
Petrus meanwhile got his volley blocked by a QAF defender a few minutes later.
Jerudong were reduced to 10 men when Mohd Julremi was given the marching order for dangerous tackle on Riwandi in the 86th minute.

The Brunei Times

Brunei gets two new FIFA referees

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Saturday, January 18, 2014

BRUNEI have two more international football referees following accreditation by FIFA yesterday.
Hadimin Shahbuddin will no longer be the only one as he is now joined by the duo of Mohammad Hasrin Hj Samat and Endy Vyzunny Hj Zainuddin.
A total of 10 officials – five football assistant referees and two futsal referees being the others – were accredited at a ceremony held at the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) House in Berakas yesterday morning.
The assistant referees are Sujairi Abdullah, Mohammad Nor Khairi Hj Hussin, Mohd Ali Dzulfikri Hj Mohd Taib, Ali Faisal Rosli and Noorizam Zakaria while the duo of Hj Dasnan Hj Abdul Rahman and Sukry Hj Matassim are the futsal referees that got accredited.
Present as the guest of honour was NFABD vice-president Pehin Datu Indera Sugara Brigadier General (R) Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof Abu Bakar.
In his speech, the vice-president expressed hopes that the accredited officials will continue to be diligent and thus further improve the quality of officiating - as they can any time receive a call up for duty for international competitions.
Pehin Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof also presented referee equipment from FIFA which included badges and ID cards to the officials.
NFABD are currently also holding a 13-day Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ‘C’ licence coaching certificate course at the NFABD House in Berakas for 21 participants.
The course is expected to end on Tuesday.

The Brunei Times

Indera SC in the midst of change

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Friday, January 17, 2014

DST Super League defending champions Indera Sports Club (SC) have always been known for their fast football, propensity to attack and their never-say-die attitude - characters which have long been built into the psyche of the club and the players.
Indera SC are also known as a club that produces a lot of talented players who have gone on to represent the country at national and regional tournaments, and to date, they have contributed more than 30 players to the national team.
However, the club are undergoing a huge transformation this season with more than half of the squad being replaced, so they will need to be at their very best to defend their title against rivals Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Councul (MS ABDB) – who they beat for the DST Super League title by virtue of goal difference last year.
Though he knows the team have a tough task ahead of them, Indera SC manager Rosdin Hj Abdul Aziz said the club will do their best to retain their crown.
“This year will be very challenging for us as the other teams are getting stronger with their new players, so it will be very interesting to see (what happens),” he said in a recent interview with The Brunei Times.
“We just started training a few weeks ago. A number of key players have left the club and we have yet to establish a consistent starting eleven for this season,” he added.
They will meet MS ABDB for the Sumbangsih Cup on Sunday, the clash at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas serving as the curtain-raiser for the 2014 DST Super League season.
But with the “depleted squad” Rosdin has, it is obvious he doesn’t consider Indera to be favourites.
“I do not want to get my hopes up as we have a very depleted squad right now, but we will try our best to win the Sumbangsih Cup,” he said, adding that MS ABDB have brought in a number of quality players to their team and they have been preparing since November.
“Some of our players (midfielders Muhd Nurikhwan Othman, Mohd Asri Hj Aspar and goalkeeper Ak Omar Nur Aqammadin Pg Hj Sallehuddin) are currently training with the national team for the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy and they will not play on Sunday,” said Rosdin.
The loss of Muhd Nurikhwan, Mohd Asri and Ak Omar Nur Aqammadin will be severely missed as the trio, who were a part of the national Under-23 team which competed at last month’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Myanmar, are among the most important players for Indera.
Ak Omar Nur Aqammadin proved to be an integral part of the national team in Myanmar with numerous saves to keep his team in the game, though the country were still unable to win a single match at the biennial meet.
Indera’s biggest loss, though, will that of midfielder Azwan Ali Rahman - who was snapped up by DPMM FC last year after a hugely impressive DST Super League season.
Azwan, who also laced up at last month’s SEA Games, was the key to Indera’s success last season after scoring 17 goals and finishing as the league's top goal scorer.
Arguably the most important goal he bagged was the strike which secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over MS ABDB as the club finished as champions above MS ABDB on goal differenc on the final day of the season.
Both teams finished the league tied on 22 points but Indera’s superior goal difference was enough to land them their first league title since their formation.
Formerly known as Indera Football Club (IFC), Indera Sports Club was established in the late 1970s and changed their name in 2010.

The Brunei Times

DST continues tie-up with NFABD

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, January 16, 2014

DST’S unyielding support towards the promotion and development of football in the country continued yesterday with the sponsorship of various National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) tournaments.
Held at DST Group’s headquarters in Tungku Link, members of the media and invited guest witnessed the signing of the agreement between DST Group as the title sponsor for the national football leagues this year – DST Super League, DST Premier League and DST FA Cup.
Telecoms service provider DST chose not to reveal the amount they are sponsoring NFABD or whether it was for prize money or to cover the cost of organising the leagues.
The 2014 DST Super League is slated to kick off on Sunday with the Sumbangsih Cup clash between Indera Sports Club (SC) and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.
NFABD have yet to announce the dates for DST Premiere League and DST FA Cup.
Witnessing the signing ceremony as guest of honour was the Deputy Minister of Finance Dato Paduka Hj Bahrin Abdullah, who is also the chairman of the Board of Directors of DST.
Signing the agreement on behalf of NFABD was NFABD vice-president Pehin Datu Indera Sugara Brigadier General (R) Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof Abu Bakar while Abdul Latif Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Hj Md Yusuf, a member of DST’s Board of Directors, signed on behalf of DST.
“I would like to express our deep appreciation and thanks to DST for their generous and significant sponsorship as well as the continuous and relentless support in promoting football in the country,” said Pehin Datu Indera Sugara Brigadier General (R) Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof in his speech.
“This significant sponsorship from DST enables NFABD to organise more matches this year in line with FIFA’s advice, and this definitely will improve the standard and quality of our football players.
“At the same time, it will help us to identify and select potential players for the national team.
“Because of the sponsorship, NFABD has also managed to raise the prize money for the champions and the runners-up - and this will certainly give more encouragement and aspiration to football teams to strive to be better and competitive,” continued the vice-president.
The prize money for this year’s competition is yet to be revealed by NFABD.
However, champions Indera won a challenge trophy, championship trophy and a cash prize of $10,000 for winning the DST Super League last March.
Second placed MS ABDB walked away with a trophy and a cash prize of $7000.
After leaving eager local football fans in the dark in regards to the DST Super League’s start, NFABD yesterday said it hopes to organise the national leagues in January from now on.
“I am pleased to announce that NFABD has arranged for the first match of the 2014 season to kick off on Sunday with the Sumbangsih Cup, and we are also hoping that for many years to come the football season will always begin in January,” said Pehin Datu Indera Sugara Brigadier General (R) Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof.
“We are hoping that the public will come and watch to support their team,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of DST, its CEO Suhaimi Hj Husin said that DST is pleased to be given the privilege to be the title sponsor for the league again this season.
“NFABD have provided DST with the platform to support them in their effort to organise the most important and primary football leagues in the country,” said Suhaimi.
“The desired objective of this partnership will enable NFABD (to) nurture quality football talent in the country, which will act as a talent pool for the creation of the national football team,” he added.
DST have also sponsored Veteran Football Association (VFA) tournaments in the past.
This season’s DST Super League will see 10 teams, MS ABDB, Indera SC, Royal Brunei Police Forces Sports Council (MS PDB), QAF FC, Majra United, Kilanas FC, Jerudong FC, Wijaya FC, Najip FC and Liang Lumut Recreational Club (LLRC) FC fighting for top honours.

The Brunei Times

Indera SC, MS ABDB clash for Sumbangsih Cup

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

INDERA Sports Club (SC) will face Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) for the Sumbangsih Cup on Sunday.
The clash, which also serves as the curtain raiser for the 2014 DST Super League, will be held at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.
MS ABDB will go all out to win their first silverware this season, in an attempt to make up for last year’s pain of losing the DST Super League title to Indera SC.
The armymen lost 1-0 to Indera SC on the final day of the season in March and both teams finished the league tied on points, but Indera SC's superior goal difference was enough to put them ahead of MS ABDB.
“It is going to be a tough match, as we all know they are the defending champions of the league,” said MS ABDB manager Pg Muhd Mufid Pg Hj Umar Ariffin yesterday.
“To win the game on Sunday is very important to us,” he said.
Indera SC manager Rosdin Hj Abdul Aziz said his squad are ready to face MS ABDB despite them missing a number of players for the match.
“Three to four players are currently with the national under-21 squad, training for the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) and we also lost Azwan Ali Rahman to DPMM FC, so this year Indera SC will be relying on new players,” said Rosdin.
Azwan was the league's top goal scorer last season with 17 goals.
“We are expecting MS ABDB to go all out on Sunday, but we will try our best to match them and get a win on the day,” continued the manager.
“MS ABDB have been preparing since November and they are very serious about winning the title this year, but it will not be easy as we will do whatever we can to defend our title,” he told The Brunei Times yesterday.
This year’s DST Super League will see 10 teams — MS ABDB, Indera SC, Royal Brunei Police Forces Sports Council (MS PDB), QAF FC, Majra United, Kilanas FC, Jerudong FC, Wijaya FC, Najip FC and Liang Lumut Recreational Club (LLRC) FC — fight for top honours this season.
The league will kick off on Tuesday with QAF FC going up against Jerudong at the Balapan Track and Field in Berakas.
Last season saw champions Indera SC brought home the challenge trophy, championship trophy and a cash prize of $10,000.

The Brunei Times