MS ABDB beat MS PDB 2-1 in 1st DST Super League match

Jake Ten

Both teams in action. - JAKE TEN

A late goal from CPL 4346 Rosmini bin Hj Abd Kahar was not enough to prevent MS ABDB from claiming all three points in the first game of the DST Super League as the Soldiers ran out 2-1 winners.
Pvt Budiman bin Jumat's free-kick from the edge of the D put MS ABDB in front in the first minute, and the diminutive No 7 would not stop there.

Pvt Budiman was given another sight of goal in the 14th minute, and he made no mistake from the dead-ball situation again, curling a ball high over the wall, which dipped just under the bar to hand MS ABDB a two goal cushion with 75 minutes of football still to play.

Pvt Budiman could easily have had a hat-trick just moments later, when, again from a set-piece, he hit the bar, much to the relief of MS PDB who began to be a little bit more careful when making challenges in and around the box after those opening exchanges.

An injury to captain and defensive stalwart, Pvt Affendy bin Hj Akup, gave MS PDB an incentive to push forward, and backed by their chorus of supporters, who were vocal throughout the 90 minutes, they capitalised.

Skipper CPL 4346 Rosmini bin Hj Abd Kahar prodded the ball through the legs of an MS ABDB defender, before unleashing a curling effort, which cannoned in off the cross bar, igniting a glimmer of hope for MS PDB with 10 minutes left to play.

However, the equaliser never came, which meant MS ABDB became the first ever team to top the DST Super League, immediately following their DST FA Cup triumph earlier this week.

Recently-appointed MS ABDB Team Manager, Major Azaman bin Hj Hussin, admitted that his side went on the defensive after carrying a two-goal advantage into the break.

"It was a good game. We controlled the game very well in the first half, but during half-time, we decided to go defensive because we were leading 2-0," he said

However, the victory did come at a cost, the loss of their Captain, Pvt Affendy bin Hj Akup, who limped off in the second half.

"One of our defenders, the captain (Pvt Affendy), had to go out because of an injury, so we lost a bit of focus, and I think that's when MS PDB took advantage of the situation and managed to score," explained Major Azaman.

"We added another midfielder to get the game under control, but I think in the second half, a lot of the players were affected by the FA Cup. Lots of players were tired, and some players lost focus, but the rest managed to maintain their fitness, and that is why we managed to hold the game until the end and win."

Present as the guest of honour at the first match of the DST Super League was President of the NFABD, Dato Paduka Hj Abdul Rahman Hj Mohiddin.