MS ABDB COME FROM BEHIND TO WIN DST SUMBANGSIH CUP

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) signalled their intent for the new season as they came from behind to beat Indera Sports Club (SC) 2-1 to win the DST Sumbangsih Cup for the third time last night.

A second half brace from Sld Razimie Ramli helped the army men turn around a 1-0 half-time deficit at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas to get their DST Super League title defence off to the right start.

Indera, who finished as runners-up in the DST Super League last season, dominated the first half with their brilliant passing game and they got in front after Md Asri Hj Aspar converted a penalty, which he earned after being brought down in the box by Sld Mohamad Sani in the 19th minute.

MS ABDB pressed for an equaliser late in the first-half and they were unlucky not to find the back of the net with several open chances.

The armymen came out in the second half strongly in search of equaliser and coach Sgt Mesli Dullah made a tactical change by bringing on Sld Mazazizi Mazlan and L/Cpl Suhaime Hj Md Yussof to add steel in defence and reinforce the midfield.

The strategy paid off as Sld Razimie equalised for MS ABDB with a glancing header off a corner kick in the 63rd minute, and as Indera tired, Sld Razimie pounced on a blocked shot from teammate Sld Fadhli Hj Awg Salleh to tap home the winning goal in the 87th minute.

MS ABDB's Sld Razimie Ramli (centre) with the ball during the DST Sumbangsih Cup last night, the striker scored two goals for his team in the victory. Picture: Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

Indera had a golden chance to force the game into extra time when the ball fell to Md Zulkhairy Razali after MS ABDB were unable to clear their lines late in the game, but he lost his composure and blasted the ball wide of an empty goal.

“The spirit in this team to win the DST Super League is now strong,” said MS ABDB coach Sgt Hj Mesli.

“Since I’ve been a coach here, for more than two years…. I hope I have been able to bring this team one step higher.

“We strengthened our midfield in the second half and we controlled space better. We knew that where there were gaps, we had to fill them up.”

The trophy was presented by DST Assistant General Manager of Group IT Services Awang Amir Pehin Datu Pekerma Bijaya Col (Rtd) Dato Paduka Hj Hussin.

Also in attendance during the game was Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Commander Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Major General Dato Paduka Seri Mohd Tawih Abdullah.