MS PDB COME BACK TO DRAW AGAINST TABUAN MUDA A

Caption: A Tabuan Muda A player (R) dribbles past a Royal Brunei Police Force Sports Council (MS PDB) player during their DST Super League game at the Berakas Sports Complex last night. Picture: Courtesy of NFABD

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Royal Brunei Police Force Sports Council (MS PDB) came from behind to draw 2-2 against Tabuan Muda A in the DST Super League last night.

The policemen faced a two-goal deficit against the national Under-18 team at the interval but regrouped in the second half to score two goals, with the equaliser coming in the 85th minute at the Berakas Sports Complex.

MS PDB were on the defensive for most of the opening half and trailed in the 16th minute when Abd Hariz Herman was first to react to a blocked shot by MS PDB goalkeeper Cpl 4673 Md Khairol Amin Hj Zainuddin.

Tabuan Muda A, who played in the DST Premier League last season, continued to pressure their opponents and Abd Mateen Said doubled their lead in the 33rd minute when he headed home a cross from Md Hanif Aiman Hj Adanan after a good run down the right flank.

But the national juniors dropped their intensity in the second half and failed to finish off several chances - which ultimately cost them the game.

MS PDB grew in confidence after pulling a goal back when APO 7071 Abd Azim Abd Rashid dribbled past two players and beat Ak Yura at his near post in the 66th minute.

The policemen wrestled control of the game for good when they scored five minutes from time.

“We knew it would not be easy to get three points as Tabuan Muda A are the future national team and have developed well from last year,” said MS PDB coach Staff Sgt Sahrin Mohmad Jaya in a press release.

“We weren’t really focused in the first half but we told ourselves we had to attack more in the second half and get some goals,” he added.

His counterpart Takao Fujiwara felt his charges need more games at this level to improve.

“We made too many mistakes and our opponents took their opportunities, so hopefully we learn from this game," he said.

“We also needed a third goal to finish the game off,” concluded the Japanese.

The competition continue today with defending champions MS ABDB (Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council) up against Lun Bawang at the Batu Apoi Sports Complex in Temburong at 3pm.

The other game pits Jerudong FC against Wijaya FC at the Berakas Sports Complex at 8.15pm.