QAF FC left in the dark once again

A file photo taken on January 12, 2013 shows QAF FC players (red) going up against Wijaya FC (white) during their DST Super League match at the Balapan Track and Field in Berakas.Picture: BT file

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, February 10, 2013

QAF FC were forced to endure yet another postponement in the DST Super League after last night's match against bottom dwellers Najip FC had to be called off after two of the floodlights at the Balapan Track and Field at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas suffered a power failure.

It was their third postponement this season after last month's game against Wijaya FC was pushed forward due to floodlight failure and December's match against the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) was called off due to unfavourable field conditions as a result of heavy rainfall.

QAF midfielder Radiman Hj Lamit was quick to express his disappointment over their third postponement in the nine-game season.

"This is ridiculous! It is a waste of time!," he complained.

"We have been preparing for this game and this is already the third time our game got postponed," he said.

"It will be a problem for us and as well as the organisers (National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam) since the Singapore League (S-League) will be coming soon and they will have problems with the fixtures," he added.

QAF manager Rahim Daud was equally as displeased with the situation.

"We are really upset this time," he said.

"It was a very important game for us. The game tonight could have been a very good warm up for Wednesday clash against MS ABDB.

"We requested to play tomorrow (today) afternoon but there is still no answer from NFABD.

"I guess we need to look for friendly games to get the players fitness and mood going," he added.

QAF, who have played only played five games, currently sits sixth in the table with 10 points.

Table-toppers MS ABDB have been on an impressive run of late since coach Azaman Hj Husin took over at the start of the DST Super League season.

Still the only unbeaten team in the league this season, coach Azaman led the team to wins in five out of their six matches, most recent being the 11-1 thrashing of Najip at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium last Friday a victory which cemented their position at the top of the 10-team league with 16 points.

In a statement released after the match, the NFABD apologised for any inconvenience caused.

An announcement on the date and venue of the rematch will be made in time.

Speaking to The Brunei Times after the match, tournament director Hj Mohd Taha Hj Mohd Tahir said that NFABD had reported the problem to the Department of Youth and Sports (JBS) after the first floodlight failure in last month's game between QAF and Wijaya FC.

"We already contacted the Department of Youth and Sports about the problem and they said that they will fix it soon," he said.

"It is very disappointing to have this kind of problem as we consider Balapan Track and Field as the second best football field in the country," he said.

The DST Super League will continue on Tuesday with Majra United going up against Wijaya at the Balapan Track & Field at 8pm if they can get the lights to work that is.

The Brunei Times