INDERA LEAD IN FINAL STRETCH OF DST SUPER LEAGUE RACE
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Indera SC's Mohd Aqmal Hakeem Abd Hamid (L)
and LLRC FT's Ak Md
Azrul Ariffin Pg Matussin
vie for the ball during their DST Super League
match
last month. Picture: BT/ Md Asdeny Yakub
|
THE sixth week of the DST Super League will forever be remembered
for one result; Indera Sports Club 20 Najip FC 1.
Filled with a team of national players such as Azwan Ali Rahman,
Mohd Afi Aminuddin, Md Nur Ikwan Othman and Hamizan Aziz Sulaiman, it was
little surprise the league-leaders were able to beat the basement dwellers.
Najip have yet to pick up a point all season and are understood to
be thinking about dropping out of the league.
What was surprising, though, was the manner in which Indera
steam-rolled over their lowly opponents.
Many thought the scoreline was a typo, and after some reflection,
questions were asked as to whether Najip had the required quality to compete in
the country's top-tier league.
Najip put out a second-string side and it showed with the players
defending like schoolboys and unable to even clear the ball.
Though not as dramatic, another notable result was the 2-2 draw
between the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) and Majra FC on
Monday, the match pitting the reigning DST FA Cup champions against the
previous edition's winners.
Featuring the two remaining undefeated teams in the league, the
match was one of the must-watch games of the season, and it did not disappoint.
Though fourth-placed Majra were not able to inflict third-placed MS
ABDB their first loss of the season, it was the first time the armymen had
dropped points and let in two goals in one match a relevant fact considering
they had only allowed one goal in their previous four games.
Majra were heading for the win until SLD Md Baharin Hamidon found a
90th minute equaliser, more proof if needed of the armymen's resilience and
never-day-die attitude.
The Royal Brunei Police Force Sports Council's (MS PDB) 3-2 victory
over Kilanas FC on Wednesday, a result which moved them to second behind Indera
on goal difference, also showed that the policemen are genuine title contenders
just like their army counterparts.
Though the odds are stacked against them, it's not too late for QAF
FC to make a run for the title.
Especially since the former champions have games in hand against MS
ABDB and Wijaya FC.
Long acknowledged as one of the most powerful teams in the country,
QAF have overturned their poor start to the league by winning their last two
games after picking up a draw and a loss in their first two games.
A brace from Adie Arsham Md Salleh sealed the win for QAF, who now
can look forward to making it three out of three when they face Najip on
Sunday.
Liang Lumut Recreation Club Football Team (LLRC FT), who led the
standings over the first two weeks but then suffered a loss in form, got back
to winning ways when they beat Wijaya 4-1 in the first match of week six last
Friday.
With only four points separating first from fifth-place, the race
for the title is far from over.
