MS ABDB taking no chances

The Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council’s (MS ABDB) Sld Abdul Azizi Ali Rahman (C)
runs past Brunei Muara’s Mohd Yusmin Hatta Hj Mohammaddin (R) in the final of the 2nd Brunei Darussalam National Games at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas in this Dec 5, 2014 file photo.
MS ABDB face Jerudong FC in the highlight of this week’s DST Super League play. Picture: BT file

NADZIRAH MALEK-WEBB

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Friday, April 22, 2016

THE Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) manager Major (A) Razanol Hardi Abd Razak stressed the need for the defending champions to maintain their focus ahead of tomorrow’s DST Super League game against bottom-dwellers Jerudong FC.

The army men, who clinched their first DST Super League title after edging bitter rivals Indera Sports Club last October, are once again at the summit of the 10-team league table after beating Lun Bawang 1-0 in their last game on April 11 for their fourth win in as many matches.

MS ABDB opened last season’s campaign with eight straight wins until Jerudong beat them 3-2 in August, which would prove to be their only loss of the season.

Heading into tomorrow’s tie at the Berakas Sports Complex, Major (A) Razanol has warned his players that Jerudong have the potential to cause the army men another upset.

“Jerudong beat us 3-2 last year, so now we have to go all out against them” said Major (A) Razanol.

“Jerudong can be very unpredictable. They may be sitting at the bottom of the table, but they can come up with some surprises,” he warned.

The team manager also highlighted that his players have to be consistent if they are to reclaim the DST Super League title.

The side bounced back from their loss to Jerudong last August by winning their next eight games, with the only other time they dropped points coming in the season-ender against Indera which ended in a 2-2 draw.

Though the team has only played four games, MS ABDB have yet to let in a goal and once again look like serious title contenders.

“The key here is consistency,” said Major (A) Razanol.

“We have been faced with some issues in regards to our training sessions because of the extremely hot weather and smog from forest fires - but we do the best we can to maintain our momentum.

“It’s still very early to gauge how we will finish this season because we have only played four games.

“Scoring a lot of goals is important too, but we want to focus on securing the three points in every game,” added the manager, who has seen his side net eight times this campaign.

This weekend’s other DST Super League games will see newly promoted Kota Ranger face Lun Bawang at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas and Tabuan Under-21 (national Under-21 football team) take on Najip I-Team at the Berakas Sport Complex.

Both matches are scheduled for 4pm on Sunday.

In DST Premier League play, Setia Perdana take on Al-Idrus Junior FT at the Berakas Sport Complex and Besa FT face Menglait FC at the Balapan Track and Field.

Both games are set to kick off at 4pm today.

The Brunei Times