KOTA RANGER REMAIN UNBEATEN, MOVE BACK TO TOP

Caption: Kota Ranger starting XI pose for a photo before kickoff. Picture: Courtesy of NFABD

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

KOTA Ranger FC cruised past the Royal Brunei Police Force Sports Council (MS PDB) 3-0 to maintain their perfect start in the DST Super League last night.

Kota Ranger's in-form striker Abu Bakar Mahari was on target again scoring a double, bringing his tally to a league-high nine goals in five matches, to help his club move ahead of two-time defending champions Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) at the top of the 11-team table.

They are on 15 points while the armymen are three points back but have a game in hand.

Mohd Fathurrahman Embran also found the back of the net at the Berakas Sports Complex scoring inside the opening two minutes to give Kota Ranger a perfect start to the game.

Kota Ranger dominated possession, limiting the policemen to only a few shots on target throughout the game.

Abu Bakar made it 2-0 in the 21st minute firing a powerful shot from outside the box to beat MS PDB goalkeeper Md Khairul Amin Hj Zainuddin.

The former DPMM FC striker sealed the victory in the 67th minute scoring from close range after receiving a pass from Mohd Fadzil Ismail Hamdani.

Kota Ranger assistant manager Andy Ibrahim. PIcture: Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

Kota Ranger assistant manager Andy Ibrahim was particularly impressed by the performances of Abu Bakar and Mohd Fathurrahman but credited the whole team for the victory.

"Mohd Fathurrahman has always been our best player… he is the star of the team and Abu Bakar is a valuable player to us with his experience and good eyes for goals," said Andy in an interview with BruSports News after the match.

"I couldn't be happier with tonight's (Saturday night) result… I can say that we have controlled the match 70 percent in possession and it was a very important win for us.

"It has been a very good campaign for us (so far) and the players have gelled and bonded together very well and we would like to keep it that way," he added.

"We have Indera SC coming up and they are one of the strongest teams in the country so we must not be complacent and continue to work hard and remain humble," concluded Andy.

The other match at the Tutong Sports Complex saw Kasuka FC edge Menglait FC 1-0.

The competition continues today with Indera taking on Lun Bawang at the Balapan Track & Field in Berakas at 3pm.