Substitutes play key part in defending title

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Yee Chun Leong 

 

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 

 

Monday, January 5, 2015

THE Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) manager Major Pg Farisan Pg Metassan couldn’t have played his cards any better during last night’s DST FA Cup final against Najip FC.

MS ABDB successfully defended their title after a 2-0 victory, with the turning point coming in the 68th minute after the introduction of substitutes Pvt Mohd Baharin Hamidon and Pvt Abd Azizi Ali Rahman – both of whom went on to score at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
 
The manager reserved his players for late in the game knowing that they had the upper hand in terms of fitness, and it was a move which paid off.

“It was part of the tactics to put in our super subs, Pvt Mohd Baharin and Pvt Abd Azizi, in the second half,” said Major Pg Farisan in an interview with The Brunei Times after the triumph.

“We expected them (Najip) to be more defensive and they parked the bus most of the match.

“We waited for it because I thought our fitness level was better.

“It was a good win. And as expected, it was a tough game - but I thought we controlled it.

“The first goal was important as it changed the game. They had to go on the attack and it gave us an opportunity to score again.

“We are now looking forward to the new season. We are recruiting and we will be prepared for the new campaign,” continued Major Pg Farisan, who took over as manager with four games left in the DST Super League season.

Najip head coach Johari Hj Bungsu agreed that the two substitutes made all the difference.

“MS ABDB made two key substitutions that changed the game. Our defenders lost their markers and it gave them a chance… They took it well and scored,” said Johari.

“We were forced to push forward in search of an equaliser and it opened up our defence. In turn, they scored another to kill off the game.

“But overall it was still a good game for us.

“I’m satisfied with the players as they were able to put up a good fight against MS ABDB even though preparation wise they were better than us,” concluded Johari.

The Brunei Times