NAJIP I-TEAM DEFEAT 10-MAN JERUDONG FC FOR FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON

Caption: The first XI of Najip I-Team in a group photo prior to kick off against Jerudong FC in the DST Super League. Picture: Courtesy of NFABD

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

NAJIP I-Team returned from a long break for their first win of the DST Super League season with a 4-0 win over Jerudong FC at the Berakas Sports Complex last night.

The result moved Najip I-Team off the foot of the 11-team table and up to sixth position with four points on better goal difference from MS PDB (Royal Brunei Police Force Sports Council) and Jerudong.

It didn't take long for Najip I-Team to shake off their festive break rust as they found the back of the net through Mohammad Faisal Ahad in the seventh minute.

Najip I-Team then doubled their lead courtesy of Norfaez Sayang from the spot in the 23rd minute.

They continued to dominate the middle of the park and knew that they secured three points in the bag when one of the Jerudong players was sent off for a second yellow card.

Abang Nor Hilman Abang Nor Hillmy added to the tally in the 41st minute to give Najip I-Team a 3-0 lead at halftime.

Jerudong came out defending in the second half to avoid conceding more goals but Mohd Mudzaffar Abdul Rafaee netted another just 10 minutes after the interval with a great solo effort from the right flank to complete the win.

Najip I-Team manager Mohd Salim Hj Salleh (Right) and coach Mohd Adib Hj Abdul Khani pose for a photo after the win. Picture: Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh

Najip I-Team manager Mohd Salim Hj Salleh didn’t have high expectations heading into the encounter and was delighted with all three points.

"I didn't expect too much from my players since we just came back from a very long break. But they were very eager to play after a very long time without any football and I think that got us the win tonight (Friday night)," said Salim in an interview with BruSports News after the match.

"Jerudong are a good team and I heard that they are missing a couple of good players at the moment for the SEA (Southeast Asian) Games, so it was always going to be hard for them.

"We dominated and controlled the game throughout, everyone played their part in the win, so I am quite happy with the result," he added.

"We didn't get to train as much during Ramadhan and Hari Raya, but we managed to get together at least once a week for fitness training to keep the players fit and ready.

"Moving forward we would like to get players match ready in term of fitness and tactically we would like to keep improving every game from our mistakes and weaknesses," concluded Salim.

The competition continues tonight with leaders Kota Ranger FC take on Wijaya FC at the Tutong Sports Complex.

The other game pits Kasuka FC against MS PDB (Royal Brunei Police Force Sports Council) at the Berakas Sports Complex.