Wednesday, April 23, 2014

10-man MS ABDB edge Majra

  • SLD Mohd Khairuddin Abd Kadir (L) of MS ABDB gets away from a Majra United player in their DST Super League match last night at the Berakas Sports Complex. Picture: BT/Yee Chun Leong
  • LKPL Mohd Yusri Suhaili (R) of MS ABDB and Dannie Hendra Mohd Idris of Majra United fight for possession during their DST Super League match last night at the Berakas Sports Complex.BT/ Yee Chun Leong
  • SLD Mohd Baharin Hamidon (L) of MS ABDB gets away from a Majra United player in their DST Super League match last night at the Berakas Sports Complex. Picture: BT/Yee Chun Leong
Wednesday, April 23, 2014

THE Royal Brunei Armed Force Sports Council (MS ABDB) are second in the DST Super League mid-way through the season.

The army men, who played with 10 men for 50 minutes, edged Majra United FC 1-0 last night at the Berakas Sports Complex.

They are tied on 18 points with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS PDB) but have a superior goal difference compared to the policemen. Majra remain ninth with five points but still have a game in hand.

The army men dominated the proceedings in the first half and were pushing forward on each possession.
They were more physical and aggressive as opposed to their younger opponents, who fielded seven Under-21 players in their starting 11.
MS ABDB were reduced to 10 men in the 40th minute after goalkeeper SLD Muhd Suhandi Hj Mahali handled the ball outside the box during a Majra counterattack.

It didn’t seem to deter the confidence of the army men as they almost got in front just before the break through captain Lkpl Ak Mohd Safri Pg Othman, who saw his shot sail just wide of the post.

MS ABDB continued to dominate ball possession despite their numerical disadvantage but couldn’t seem to break the deadlock.
 
They got their first chance in the second half through Lkpl Suhaimi Hj Md Yussof, but he could only fire his free-kick from the edge of the box just over the crossbar in the 54th minute.

Majra responded immediately but MS ABDB’s substitute goalkeeper Sld Zulfadhli Pehin Khatib Hj Matasan did well to parry Ak Muhd Asri Pg Azahari’s shot from inside the box.

Lkpl Suhaimi had another opportunity in the 66th minute down the left but could only hit the side netting.

MS ABDB were awarded a penalty in the 76th minute after Sld Mohd Safari Wahit was judged to have been fouled inside the box off a corner.

Lkpl Suhaimi calmly slotted the ball down the middle while Majra custodian Mohd Sahan Mumtazali dived to his right.

The army men could have doubled their advantage in the 82nd minute but Sld Mohd Baharin Hamidon saw his attempt blocked off the line.

Mohd Abd Azim Said almost equalised for Majra two minutes later with his free-kick on target, but Sld Zulfadhli did well to keep the ball out for a corner.

Sld Zulfadhli once again came to the rescue of MS ABDB with another save to deny Suhaimi Anak Sulau for the victory.

MS ABDB manager Major (U) Pg Muhd Mufid Pg Hj Umar Ariffin was relieved to take all three points.

“We dominated the game despite being down to 10 men, but I’m disappointed with our finishing as we created a lot of chances,” he said in an interview with The Brunei Times after the triumph.

“I’m proud of the team as they had a good mindset in the second half.

“Alhamdullilah, we managed to break the draw as the most important thing for us were the three points,” concluded the MS ABDB manager.

Meanwhile, the matchup between leaders Indera SC and Jerudong FC at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas was postponed.

The Brunei Times

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