Indera aim to upset ABDB in Cup final

Jake Ten

Team managers of MS ABDB and Indera SC share a handshake ahead of the much anticipated DST FA Cup final on Monday. - PHOTO: JAKE TEN

Monday night's DST FA Cup final will be won by the team with the most patience and composure, according to Major Awg Suhaimi bin Awg Jamali, MS ABDB's team manager.

For MS ABDB, there was very little doubt, if any, that they would be making yet another final appearance.
The soldiers boast a very impressive FA Cup record, having won back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010, before Majra FC denied them a third successive title in 2011, and their fixture with Indera SC on Monday night will mark their 8th final appearance in Brunei's premier cup competition.
"The last time we played them was in the FFBD League in 2011, and we won both home and away fixtures 3-1," explained Major Suhaimi.

Ever the army man, Major Suhaimi made it clear that knowing one's enemy was the key to success.
"You need to know your enemy. You need to know your strengths and weaknesses so you can focus better and devise a game plan," remarked the MS ABDB team manager.

"Both MS ABDB and Indera SC have a reputation for being fit, so total possession football is the key to winning this, and I think the most patient team will win."
"We will try to be composed and patient, not rush and stay calm and keep possession of the ball."

Despite having the upper hand on paper, Major Suhaimi refused to let his side get ahead of themselves, and was prepared for all possible scenarios come the final.
"It will finish in 90 minutes, there won't be extra time. It will be dangerous to score first, but I think at least one of the teams will score early on and make the game more interesting," said Major Suhaimi.
"If you score early, there is a solution, if you score late, there is also a solution, so it all depends on how brave you are willing to be to change your strategy depending on the situation."

Meanwhile, Indera SC's coach, former Wijaya FC handler, Ishak Hj Kabon, insisted his side, who beat MS ABDB in the final of the Red Bull NFABD Futsal Champions League in October, had the belief from the start that they would reach the final.

"With the players we have, we knew we were capable of reaching the final," said Ishak.
"Fitness and stamina-wise, MS ABDB have the advantage, so teamwork is the key for Indera SC, as football is a team sport, not an individual sport."

Whilst it almost seems inevitable that MS ABDB will be adding yet another FA Cup to their trophy cabinet, the Indera SC coach believed that under the right circumstances, an upset was definitely on the cards.
"What I have told my players is to have confidence and a strong mentality to beat MS ABDB. If we play as a team, God willing, we can beat them in the final."