THE Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) defeated the Brunei National Team team 1-0 in a solidarity match at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium recently.
The match was held in preparation for the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) for the Asean Youth Football Championship.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 2 April – Pasukan Indera SC buat pertama kalinya melakarkan sejarah setelah memenangi Piala FA DST selepas jaringan Awang Mohd Zulkhairy Razali dan Awang Mohd Asri Haji Aspar untuk memberikan kemenangan 2-0 ke atas Pasukan Majlis Sukan Polis Diraja Brunei (MS PDB) dalam perlawanan akhir yang diadakan di Kompleks Sukan Berakas, kelmarin.
Dalam perlawanan tersebut, kedua-dua pasukan beraksi mantap untuk merebut gelaran juara dalam kejohanan itu, namun pada minit ke-37, Awang Mohd Zulkhairy Razali berjaya menjaringkan gol bagi Pasukan Indera SC.
Persaingan semakin rancak pada babak akhir separuh masa pertama apabila percubaan daripada Awang Mohd Asri tersasar dan Pasukan MS PDB masih berpeluang untuk memberikan persaingan pada separuh masa kedua.
Walau bagaimanapun, Indera SC berjaya menggandakan kedudukan apabila Awang Mohd Asri berjaya melepasi perangkap ofsaid MS PDB dan terus membawa bola sebelum membuat jaringan ke gawang.
Juara Piala FA DST, Indera SC bergambar ramai bersama tetamu kehormat dan jemputan khas yang lain selepas penyampaian hadiah semalam. – Gambar oleh Hasrulraizan
Pasukan MS PDB cuba untuk bangkit tetapi rembatan dari sudut sukar berjaya didakap kemas penjaga gol Indera SC.
Selepas perlawanan itu, Ketua jurulatih Indera SC, Awang Mohd Darus Tanjung berkata bahawa kejayaan itu adalah kejayaan kali pertama bagi mereka dalam persaingan Piala FA DST.
“Saya berterima kasih kepada pihak pengurusan dan ucapan tahniah kepada mereka. Pemain-pemain menunjukkan komitmen tinggi pada malam ini dan berharap ini akan diteruskan pada masa depan terutamanya pada musim baru,” katanya.
Hadir selaku tetamu kehormat dan seterusnya menyempurnakan penyampaian hadiah adalah Pemangku Pesuruhjaya Polis, Dato Paduka Haji Mohammad Irwan bin Haji Hambali.
INDERA SC made history by winning the DST FA Cup for the first time after strikes from Md Zulkhairy Razali and Md Asri Haji Aspar in either side of half time inspired them to a 2-0 win over MS PDB in the final at the Berakas Sports Complex last night.
The club, who added their FA Cup triumph to their two DST Super League titles, become only the second side to win the DST FA Cup and the fifth team in FA Cup history.
The stage was set for both teams trying to create history with neither side having won the competition before but the police personnel received a big blow after a 37th minute strike from Zulkhairy helped soothe nerves for Indera.
Matters could have been worse at the stroke of half-time after Md Asri dinked the ball over the goalkeeper in no man’s land but the ball ended wide and MS ABDB went into the break still with a fighting chance.
Indera SC nearly doubled the lead as Md Zulkhairy teed up Md Asri but the former scuffed his effort and the MS PDB defence rushed back to clear the ball to safety.
However, the setup for the second goal was executed to perfection after beating the offside trap as Md Asri took a touch away from the goalkeeper before slotting the ball into the empty net.
MS PDB attempted to claw their way their back into the tie but a shot from a tight angle was dealt with by the Indera’s goalkeeper.
DST FA Cup winners Indera SC in a group photo with guest of honour Dato Paduka Haji Mohammad Irwan bin Haji Hambali, Acting Commissioner of Police. – FADHIL YUNUS
Indera SC head coach Md Darus Tanjung also won his first major silverware in his first season in charge of the team.
“This is the first time that we have finally tasted success in the DST FA Cup this year,” said Indera SC head coach Mohamad Darus bin Tanjong.
“I am very thankful to the management and I would like to say well done to all of them. The players showed a high level of commitment tonight and I hope that this will continue in the future especially in the new season.
“To preserve a 2-0 lead with the win ensures the FA Cup in our hands,” he said.
Asked whether the team was at their vintage best during the final, Darus pointed out the differences between cup and league football.
“The team showed 100 per cent commitment and their level of fitness is also 100 per cent. If we compare the League and FA, certainly there are differences. The strategy used in both is different because sometimes it invites pressure.
“We forget about it and we have to focus on football for 90 minutes,” he added.
The head coach was also asked if boasting the experience of reaching the final twice meant an advantage to his side and he accepted.
“The experience of reaching the final twice became our benchmark to instil the spirits to the players, and by keeping their experience in both finals, that is where we can find the strong spirit of 18 players listed all of whom demonstrates an excellent performance,” he said.
Guest of honour Dato Paduka Haji Mohammad Irwan bin Haji Hambali, Acting Commissioner of Police presented the prizes.
INDERA SC manager Rosdin Abdul Aziz has recognised the fact that history will be made one way or the other in the DST FA Cup final as either his charges or the galvanised MS PDB side will be lifting their first-ever title at the Berakas Sports Complex tonight.
MS PDB’s stunning win over MS ABDB in the last four meant that it is the first time that the latter have surrendered the DST FA Cup never mind contesting a final.
“This is a historic moment for both teams to make history and to be crowned FA Cup champions for the first time,” said Rosdin in an interview with the media.
Indera SC boasted experience at this stage after losing out to MS ABDB on both occasions in 2012 and 2015 and Rosdin highlighted the latter’s shock exit in the semi-finals.
“It is true that Indera has always met MS ABDB in the semi-final and final and this is indeed a surprise that MS PDB successfully defeated MS ABDB in the semi-final,” he said.
Indera SC manager Rosdin Abd Aziz will be hoping that his charges (pictured) will make history against MS PDB in the DST FA Cup final tonight. – NATIONAL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Despite managing a 6-0 rout against their cup final opponents last August in the league, Rosdin will no doubt be wary of the threat that the police personnel pose.
“This (win over MS ABDB) shows that MS PDB cannot be taken lightly what more with their line-up of young players.”
But, Rosdin is eying the top prize that has eluded his side since establishing themselves as a major force in the country’s top flight DST Super League.
“Nevertheless, Indera SC wants to win the FA Cup for the first time which we have not been able to after two attempts. Hopefully, this year is our year,” said Rosdin adding his hopes of a third time the charm for his charges.
The two-time DST Super League winners have been training actively and also tactically to enhance their preparations for the Sunday final.
He also provided advice to his charges who will be hoping to become a new champion in the FA Cup since AH United in the 2005/06 season.
“To all ISC players… Continue your fight till the end and bring home the FA Cup for the first time for our loyal supporters who have been waiting on lifting the FA Cup,” he said.
