MD AQMAL SEES INDERA SC HOME
by YEE CHUN LEONG
INDERA SC notched up their second straight win with a 1-0 victory over MS PDB (Royal Brunei Police Force's Sports Council) in Group C of the DST-National Football League 2011/2012 yesterday at the Balapan Track and Field in Berakas.
It was an equally matched first half with neither team being able to control the midfield.
Indera did break the deadlock before halftime with Md Aqmal Hakeem Abd Hamid scoring the only goal of the match in the 42nd minute.
He received a good through ball to get behind two defenders and placed his shot past the outstretched arm of MS PDB goalkeeper Md Khairol Amin Hj Zainuddin.
MS PDB had the upperhand in the aerial battle and enjoyed ball possession early on in the second half.
Md Syarafuddin Hamdi Hj Talip had a good chance to equalise in the 55th minute after towering over the Indera defenders but his header was off target.
Indera were going with the long ball and hoping to get behind the MS PDB backline but proved to be unsuccessful.
They had a good chance to double their lead in the 82nd minute after a good through ball by Mohammad Aqmal Hakeem left Md Khairul Anwar Abd Rahim with a one-on-one situation against Md Khairol.
But he skyrocketed his shot that saw the MS PDB defenders breathe a sign of relief.
Indera got another chance in injury time that saw Abdul Mu'iz Sisa squander another one-on-one situation against MD PDB goalkeeper.
Abdul Mu'iz was the receiver of a quickly taken freekick from the midfield that caught MS PDB napping but Md Khairol was up to the task to parry his effort away.
MS PDB made immediate response in the next possession and Md Najib Hj Tarif's effort required Indera goalkeeper Mohd Fakrul Zulhamzi Yussof to dive deep for a save to ensure his team take all three points.
"It is good that we managed to win all three points in our second match. Both teams were equally good and it was a good match throughout the whole 90 minutes," said Rosdin Hj Abdul Aziz, the manager of Indera, in an interview with The Brunei Times after the win.
"We were missing two key players but rest of the players showed great confidence and did a great job today (Sunday)," he added.
On the other hand, Muhd Kenny Safwan Abdullah, the assistant manage of MS PDB, luck was not on their side in the loss.
"I think both teams had equal chances but luck was not on our side. Indera dominated the first half but I thought we were the better team in the second half," said Muhd Kenny Safwan.
"We will continue to work harder and improve on our weaknesses for the upcoming matches," he added.
Over at the Berakas Sports Complex, Tunas FC defeated beat Brunei Shell Recreation Club (BSRC) 3-1 in Group B.
Md Nazirul Hadi Hj Marsal scored a brace for Tunas FC in the eighth and 27th minutes while Md Zaim Jaya put one behind the net for the team in the 46th minute.
BSRC's goal came courtesy of Md Firdaus Nasar in the 32nd minute.
The competition continues today with LLRC FT going up against Perkasa at the Berakas Sports Complex at 8.15pm.
