INDERA SC MOUNT COMEBACK TO EDGE KILANAS FC 4-3

Mohd Afi Aminuddin (R) of Indera SC dribbles
the ball away from Mohd Nor Hidayatullah Hj
Zainie of Kilanas FC.

BY YEE CHUN LEONG

It was a tale of two halves for DST Super League leaders Indera SC.

They fought back from three goals down to defeat Kilanas FC 4-3 last night at the Belapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.

The victory moves them eight points clear at the top of the 10 team table with 26 points from 10 games followed by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) and Royal Brunei Police Forces Sports Council (MS PDB), who are both tied on 18 points.

Abang Hazim Abang Hadzman gave Kilanas the dream start after finding the back of the net as early as the ninth minute.

The lead was doubled four minutes later courtesy of his brother Abang Hariz after putting the ball past Indera goalkeeper Mohd Norul Zulhilmi Mustapa.

The defending champions were in shock and looked likely to be heading to their first defeat of the season after Abang Hazim struck home his second of the match three minutes before halftime for a 3-0 cushion.

Indera came out a different side and were on full attack after the interval.

It paid off in the 52th minute with Hamizan Aziz Sulaiman heading home a corner to beat Kilanas goalie Abdul Rahman @ Hazmie Hayat Emzah.

Indera won a penalty after Hamizan was brought down in the box 10 minutes later. Mohd Asri Aspar stepped up to fire in the ensuing spot kick.

Kilanas was under pressure in their own half and gave away a second penalty after keeper Abdul Rahman brought down Mohd Asri in the box.

The Kilanas custodian saved the penalty on the first attempt but the referee whistled for it to be re-taken.

Mohd Asri drilled home the equaliser for his second of the match in the 73rd minute.

Indera completed the comeback in the 82nd minute after Muhd Nur Ikhwan Othman chested down a cross from the right to bulge the net.

Indera head coach Hj Omar Hj Jamil was delighted to be able to turn things around in the secondhalf.

" We were missing key defender Reduan (Hj Petara) and had to push back the captain (Sahrin Momin) to play at the back. All the three goals we conceded were from our own mistakes," said Hj Omar in an interview with The Brunei Times after the win.

Mohd Nazirul Nasreen Abdullah (L) of Indera SC tackles an
opponent last night. Pic: BT/ Yee Chun Leong

"I told the players to relax and to remember three things - focus, concentrate and keep organised.

"We changed to full attacking strategy and played with three strikers in the second half. We kept pressing and it worked right for us," he added.

"We didn't play as well as our last game (against Najip FC) but I'm happy we ended up with the win," he continued.

On the other hand, Kilanas head coach Sidik Eya felt that it was their weak mental strength that led to their downfall.

"The mentality was not strong enough. We came into the game as the underdogs and our opponents were well prepared," said Sidik.

"We gave our support to the boys to try and hold on the lead but we lacked the stamina as well," he added.

"Our performance was good today (Sunday) but it was unfortunate that we lost the match," he concluded.

The competition continues tomorrow with two more matched kicking off at 8:15pm.

Najip FC will take on QAF FC at the Belapan Track and Field while other match will see MS ABDB and Wijaya FC will do battle at the Berakas Sports Complex.