Rivals face off in season opener

(L-R) Indera SC head coach Hj Omar Hj Jamil, Indera SC captain Mohammad Afi Aminuddin,
MS ABDB captain Ak Mohd Safri Pg Othman and MS ABDB manager Major (A) Razanol Hardi Abd Razak with the DST Sumbangsih Cup during a press conference at NFABD House yesterday. Picture: BT/Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh 

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh 

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 

Saturday, March 5, 2016

ROYAL Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) manager Major (A) Razanol Hardi Abd Razak is expecting a tough DST Sumbangsih Cup match against Indera Sports Club (SC) tonight.

The army men clinched their very first DST Super League last October, and they also went on to win their third DST FA Cup after beating Indera 3-2 in December.

However, Indera won last year’s DST Sumbangsih Cup by defeating MS ABDB 2-0, so the army men know what to expect when the rivals face off in the DST Super League opener at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkian National Sports Complex in Berakas.

“We always expect a hard challenge from Indera,” said Major (A) Razanol Hardi during a press conference held at the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) House along Jalan Pusat Persidangan in Berakas yesterday.

“To say that we will win tomorrow… I can’t say that, but I can say that we will try hard to win.

“Our training method has always been the same... It worked for us last year, so we will continue to do the same,

“Most of our players are still recovering from last season’s campaign and we are not 100 per cent ready yet for tomorrow.

“But we always play hard. The aim is always to win and we welcome any challenge at any time.

“Each year we try to evolve our method of play and tactics, so we are hoping for another good year,” added the manager.

Indera, on the other hand, have had better preparation as they started their training at the end of January.

Though the two-time DST Super League champions lost Muhd Nur Ikhwan Othman to DPMM FC this year, they have been boosted by the arrival of some former national Under-21 players - and the inclusion of ex-DPMM FC midfielder Mohd Hardi Bujang will only strengthen the team even more.

“We lost one important player this year (Muhd Nur Ikhwan) but we have some new players coming in this season,” said Indera’s head coach Hj Omar Hj Jamil.

“Four of them played for the country at the 2014 Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy, and the other is experienced midfielder Hardi.

“It will be a 50/50 game tomorrow, whoever makes a mistake will lose.

“We have been known over the years for our short passing game, and tomorrow’s game will be no different.

“At the end of the day, it is up to the players to do their job on the pitch,” he added.

Hj Omar also stated that he would like to win DST FA Cup with Indera this season.

“We have won the Sumbangsih Cup and the Super League in the past, but we have never won the FA Cup - and my personal aim is to win it,” added Hj Omar.

The press conference yesterday was chaired by NFABD Acting Competition Director Dayem Hj Ali.

Among the other issues discussed during the press conference as the colour of match jerseys and the mandatory identity cards for players issued by the NFABD.

“It is compulsory for every player to bring their identity card issued by us for every game. If they fail to do so, they will not be allowed to participate in the game.”

The Brunei Times