DPMM FC Go Top Of Table

By James Kon

Bandar Seri Begawan - Unbeaten Brunei DPMM FC topped the S League for the first time when they edged Sengkang Punggol FC 1-0 in front of their supporters at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium last night.

After the game, Brunei DPMM FC coach Vjeran Simunic was ecstatic and saluted the fans for the immense turnout to support the team. "The best players are the fans, they came to create an incredible atmosphere for the players. Fans who are not here (stadium) have missed a crucial game of Brunei DPMM FC," he said. On his team's performance, the Croatian coach said: "We did our best, all my players are heroes tonight. We expect a very tough game and Sengkang are here to dethrone us but we managed to overcome the early jitters to grab the win." The coach also has nothing but praises for Shahrazen for scoring the winner. "He did his job and I like the goal he scored today. Shahrazen is my best player, he took control of the ball and rose to the occasion." Both teams started off the match cautiously for the first 20 minutes but it was Brunei DPMM FC who almost scored on 23'1 minute when Shahrazen Said's header went just a whisker wide from a cross by Hj Subhi Abdillah. Brunei DPMM FC's goalkeeper War-dun Yussof was called into action on 27th minute when he managed to save a powerful shot outside the penalty box from Sengkang Punggol's Abdoulaye Diallo. Seven minutes from half-time, the visitors almost went ahead but Brunei DPMM FC's goalkeeper managed to make a diving save to preserve his record of a third consecutive clean sheet. After the breather, Brunei DPMM FC introduced Abdel Hamid Bergiga for the injured Rosmin Kamis and the import player nearly drew first blood when he lashed on a pass by Ivan Jerkovic and with the keeper to beat, Abdel Hamid sent the ball over the bar. Ten minutes after Shahrazen's dramatic goal in the 61st minute, Sengkang Punggol's hope of a comeback was dented when they were reduced to 10 men when referee Abdul Malik gave Jerry Bartholomeusz a second yellow card for unsporting conduct. In the dying minutes, Brunei DPMM FC's substitute, Nardi Bujang nearly put his name to the scoresheet when his long-range effort sailed just inches over the crossbar. Brunei DPMM FC's next game will be April 31 against Tampines Rovers FC at Stadium Jalan Besar in Singapore.

Stunning win for Brunei DPMM FC

It was Md Abu Bakar Mahari to the rescue again last night, scoring in the 84th minute of DPMM's match against Super Reds FC to give the Brunei side their first win of their debut Singapore League(S-League) season.

The 2-1 victory was a result of DPMM's excellent performance in the second half, never giving up the fight despite going behind as early as the 11th minute when midfielder Jeon Byung Euk netted from the penalty spot after DPMM midfielder Sairol Sahri was judged to have harshly tackled Yu Hyun Koo in the box.

Though the star striker Shahrazen Said was forced out of the game - with what looks to be a recurrent ankle injury - hardly a minute after the restart, the team's attack was at the capable feet of his replacement Md Abu Bakar, who scored the equaliser during the Brunei's team 1-1 draw with the Young Lions in their first match last week.

Shahrazen's injury, seemed to spur his teammates on and they embarked on waves after waves of attack - rewarded by the most unlikeliest of players.

Defender Yusof Salleh's free kick from 25 yards out curled past Kang Su Ho in between the Super Reds goalposts and found the top left corner in the 61st minute to draw level for the home side, and from then on, the fans would settle for nothing less than a win in the side's first home game of the season.

DPMM goalkeeper Wardun Yusof kept his team in the game two minutes later when he was forced to dive sharply to his right to save a shot own goal, but he was hardly troubled for the rest of the night.

After a menacing performancethus so far with dangerous runs and precise passes,Md Abu Bakar - nicknamed Eto'o by his teammates - repaid his coach's confidence in playing him by scoring 6 minutes before the final whistle.

Pushing the ball forward on the counter-attack, South Korean forward Oh Ddog Yi received a pass from the right and skillfully created space for a shot.

Though it was boxed out by goalkeeper,Kang,it was poor clearance and the oncoming Abu Bakar easily scored with a simple tap-in from a few yards out.

Doing well to put men behind the ball after that, DPMM rode out their first win of the season with their fans cheering them and hardly allowing the Super Reds the time and space to send in a cross.

The Koreans preferred method of attack was through the flanks, where they created space and sent in crosses, trying to make the most of their height advantage.

However, last season's runners-up were thwarted by the good aerial showing of defender Rene Komar and captain Pg Sallehuddin and hardly threatened from crosses or during set-poeces.

Pg Sallehuddin's performance was especially recommendable throwing himself at every tackle and one-on-one challengewith the vigour and determination that one would hardly expect from a 35-year old player.

Prior to the match head coach Vjeran Simunic had said that the team's attitude had changed and that was certainly true last night.

"We were hungry to play after that we could not compete in the Malaysian League - it was like we were in a cage," said Simunic yesterday.

"Give us a chance and we will play like this"I know we can do better.

"I am happy about the game, the team's performance and their attitude.

"It was a very offensive game, very openlike how we used to play last year ... Six players on the attack sometimes," added the Croatian.

"I have seen the Super Reds play before and they surprised me tonight because I did not think they were this good.

" I would like to thank the fans for supporting us and I want to tell them they must be proud of us, proud of the local players.We are playing Woodlands Wellington on Sunday and I want to see 10,000 fans here - if not I will go home because I don't like them playing in empty stadiums," added the Croatian with a wink.

The result pushes DPMM from ninth to fourth in the 12-team league with four points from two games.

Brunei DPMM to Join S-league??

Jason Thomas

DPMM FC yesterday confirmed rumours that they are interested in playing in the Singapore League (S-League) subject to approval from the International Federation of Association Football (Fifa).

The Brunei Times on Jan 10 quoted DPMM FC team manager Pg Waslimin PSJ Momin as saying that the club was “looking at other alternatives such as playing in other foreign leagues” since it was banned from playing in the Malaysian Super League by the Football Association of Malaysia after the Registrar of Societies (RoS) deregistered the Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (Bafa) in November for failing to submit its activity and financial reports as requested.

Pg Waslimin travelled to Singapore this week to meet Football Association of Singapore (FAS) and S-League officials and yesterday revealed that there was still hope for competitive football this season.

“There are still a few matters to be resolved such as the home and away format and approval from Fifa,” Pg Waslimin told The Brunei Times yesterday.

“But in Fifa’s eyes Bafa is still the governing body for football in Brunei.

“The S-League has talked to the chairmen of all the clubs (in Singapore) because we want to play our home games in Brunei.”

Set to kick off on Feb 16 and end on Nov 8, the S-League will involve 12 teams with each side playing a total of 33 matches during the 2009 season, which is divided into three rounds.

Pg Waslimin added that the club would be happy if it could play a third of their games at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas, but admitted that he was resigned to the possibility of S-League officials denying the request.

With only three weeks to go until the season kicks off, fixtures need to be reworked to accommodate DPMM FC and S-League clubs might be hesitant to agree to the idea.

“Whatever it is, the ball is in their (S-League officials) hands,” said Pg Waslimin, adding that the club would also be able to compete in the Singapore Cup.

Bafa’s status and the possibility of DPMM FC joining the S-League will be on the agenda during Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) executive committee meeting early next month, with S-League officials expected to confirm DPMM FC’s inclusion either next Wednesday or Thursday.

Bafa secretary-general Pg Matusin Matasan was also fully behind DPMM FC joining the S-League, but said that the matter was one which needed to be resolved between FAS and Bafa.

“It has nothing to do with Fifa … this is only between the two associations,” he said.The Brunei Times

Local Football News

Liga Perdana Brunei tidak terjejas - AFC

Oleh: Amnri Haji Zainuddin

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Jumaat - Berita baik untuk pemain dan peminat bola sepak tempatan - Liga Perdana Brunei tidak terjejas dengan pembatalan pendaftaran Persatuan Bola Sepak Brunei Darussalam (BAFA) dan boleh dilangsungkan pada bila-bila masa.

Perkara ini dimaklumkan oleh Pegawai Media Konfederasi Bola Sepak Asia (AFC), Lazarus Rokk ketika dihubungi Media Permata di Kuala Lumpur, petang ini.

Perkhabaran itu sekurang-kurangnya merawat duka daripada episod hitam yang menimpa badan induk bola sepak Brunei itu setelah rayuannya agar pembatalan pendaftarannya diketepikan ditolak oleh Kementerian Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri Rabu lalu.

Namun apa yang lebih dibimbangkan iaitu Brunei melalui pasukan atau kelab-kelabnya tidak dibenarkan sama sekali menyertai mana-mana pertandingan atau liga yang bernaung di bawah AFC dan Persekutuan Bola Sepak Antarabangsa (FIFA) menjadi kenyataan.

Menurut Lazarus: "Brunei tidak boleh sama sekali menyertai atau menganjurkan mana-mana kejohanan antarabangsa kerana ia sudah pasti tertakluk kepada AFC dan FIFA. Ini memang peraturannya.

"Namun Brunei tidak ada masalah untuk meneruskan liga mereka sendiri. Dalam erti kata lain, liga bola sepaknya (Liga Perdana Brunei) boleh diteruskan seperti biasa. Malah semua aktiviti bola sepak domestik tidak terjejas dengan pembubaran BAFA. Mereka bebas meneruskan sebarang pertandingan tempatan."

Bekas Setiausaha Agung BAFA, Pengiran Haji Metussin Pengiran Metassan ketika dihubungi untuk mendapatkan komen mengenai berita baik itu berkata: "Saya tidak mahu bercakap apa-apa ketika ini. Saya akan bercakap minggu depan."

Ditanya mengenai kemungkinan persatuan bola sepak baru seperti BAFA perlu didaftarkan semula untuk membolehkan mana-mana pasukan negara bertanding di pentas antarabangsa, beliau sekali mengulangi: "Tunggu saja minggu depan."

Pihak Urus Setia Liga Perdana Brunei juga tidak mahu mengulas perkhabaran dari AFC itu.

Ini bermakna kelab elit negara, DPMM FC, yang kempunan bertarung dalam Liga Malaysia 2009 selepas disingkirkan oleh Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) ekoran kegagalan BAFA memberikan penjelasan mengenai status pembubaran mereka baru-baru ini, boleh bersaing dalam liga kebangsaan - yang tidak pasti bila akan membuka tirainya.

DPMM FC semalam mengambil keputusan menamatkan kontrak dua pemain Malaysia, Chan Win Hong dan Bobby Gonzales namun di masa yang sama mengarahkan pemain lain menjalani latihan seperti biasa.

Di sebalik berita menggembirakan itu, kedudukan Kejohanan Trofi Hassanal Bolkiah yang dijadualkan tahun depan berada dalam kekaburan kerana ia melibatkan penyertaan pasukan negara-negara ASEAN.

Pertandingan yang dilancarkan pada 2002 melibatkan pemain Bawah 21 Tahun itu dianjurkan dan secara teknikalnya diuruskan oleh Kementerian Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan dan BAFA dengan kerjasama Persekutuan Bola Sepak ASEAN (AFF).

Acara berprestij yang berhasrat menyahut titah Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan itu adalah untuk mendedahkan kemampuan semangat kesukanan ASEAN kepada dunia di samping memberikan peluang kepada pemain muda berentap di pentas serantau.

Sementara itu Lazarus berkata, beliau sendiri ada mendengar mengenai pembatalan pendaftaran BAFA namun enggan mengulas lanjut sebaliknya berkata hanya pihak atasan AFC boleh memberikan kenyataan berkaitan.

BAFA pada asalnya ditubuhkan pada 15 Mac 1956 di Seria dengan nama Persatuan Bola Sepak Amatur Negara Brunei (BSAFA) sebelum menjadi Persatuan Bola Sepak Amatur Brunei (BAFA). Apabila Brunei mencapai kemerdekaan pada 1984, ia ditukar kepada Persatuan Bola Sepak Brunei Darussalam sehinggalah ke hari-hari terakhir pembatalan pendaftarannya.

Official Malaysian Super League Transfer

LIGA SUPER\SUPER LEAGUE -

DPMM

MASUK: Bobby Gonzales (Sabah), Mohd Reithaudin Emran (Perlis), Affendi Yati Tuah (NBT FC), Mohd Nazlee Pehin (AM Gunners FC), Mohd Helmi Zambrin (AH United), Azman Ilham (NBT FC), Muhd Abu Bakar Mahari (NBT FC), Chan Wing Hoong (Perak), Shukor Adan (Selangor), Mohd Reduan Petra, Abdul Aziz Tamit, Awangku Muhd Nurhikman Pengiran Rajid, Mohd Rozaimi Petra (tidak diketahui)

KELUAR: Suhaimie Mohd Yussof (MS ABDB), Sariful Rizal Zainal (Wijaya FC), Mardi Bujang (QAF FC), Pengiran Hamzah Pengiran Abdul Rahman, Abdul Wahab Mansor, Shariman Che Omar, Fadlin Galawat, Ahmad Hafiz Said, Rosmin Khamis (dilepaskan)

JOHOR FC

KELUAR: Daudsu Jamaluddin (Kelantan), Tengku Hazman Raja Hassan (Terengganu)

KEDAH

MASUK: Shahrul Nizam Mustapha (Perak), Farizal Rozali, Azrul Ahmad (Pulau Pinang), Afif Amiruddin (Polis)

KELUAR: Ahmad Shakir Mohd Ali (Harimau Muda), Hasmawi Hassan (Felda United), Zamzuri Mohd Isa (Perlis), Redwan Nawi, Hazwan Zainun (dilepaskan)

KL PLUS

MASUK: Fadzli Shaari, Safiq Rahim (Selangor), Razali Umar Kandasamy (Perak), Norhafiz Zamani Misbah (Pahang), Irwan Fadzli Idrus (UPB MyTeam), Amir Shahreen Mubin (Pulau Pinang), Suhardy Elby (PKNS)

KELUAR: Adrian Dario Trinidad (Perth Glory), Nazrul Erwan Makmor, Khairul Anuar Jamil, Rizal Ahmad, Hasmarul Fadzil Hassan, Afiq Kamaruddin (Felda United), Nur Aliff Zainal Abidin (T-Team)

KUALA MUDA NAZA

MASUK: Mat Saiful Mohamad, Zulhisyam Jamaluddin (Pulau Pinang), K. Rajan (Pahang), Mohd Nor Ismail (Perak), Akmal Rizal Ahmad Rakhli, Suffian Abdul Rahman (Selangor), Syed Muhammad Syed Hassan (Kelantan)

KELUAR: Mohd Sairozi Daud, P. Sivanathan (Johor), Mazlizam Mohamad, Firdaus Mohd Faudzi (Perlis), Rosyadi Saheb (dilepaskan)

NEGERI SEMBILAN

KELUAR: Khairul Anuar Baharom (Selangor), Yazid Yassin (Perlis), Effendi Malek, Abdul Aziz Zainal, Mohd Hafiz Khazali (dilepaskan)

PAHANG

MASUK: Shahrizan Salleh, P. Suthazon, Badrul Hisani, Rosfaizul Azuar Ali, Wan Azwari Wan Noor (Shahzan Muda)

KELUAR: Cristiano Lopes Figueredo (Pelita Jaya), Tarik El Janaby (PKT Bontang), Rashid Mahmud (Felda United), K. Rajan (Kuala Muda Naza), Norhafiz Zamani Misbah (KL Plus), Subri Sulong, Rosdi Talib, Syamsuri Mustafa, Kamal Rodiarjat, Hairuddin Omar (T-Team), V. Saravanan (dilepaskan)

POLIS

MASUK: Silvester Sindih, Eddy Gapil (Sabah), Jeffrey Untam (Sarawak)

KELUAR: Noh Alam Shah (Tampines Rovers), Wan Zaman Wan Mustapha, Faizol Che Noh, Nor Farhan Mohammad (Kelantan), Agu Casmir (Gombak United), Norhisham Hassan (Felda United), Sanjos Sundawat, Fazli Baharuddin (Selangor), Gasili Pengalot (Sabah), Afif Amiruddin (Kedah), Mohd Fadly Kassim, Mazwandi Zekeria (Sarawak), Nizam Abu Bakar (Perlis), Yosri Dermaraju (Johor)

PULAU PINANG

KELUAR: Alex Daniel Cabrera (PSIS Semarang), Farizal Rozali, Azrul Ahmad (Kedah), Mat Saiful Mohammad, Zulhisyam Hassan (Kuala Muda Naza FC), Amir Shahreen Mubin (KL Plus), Chun Keng Hong (Perak)

PERAK

MASUK: Mohd Syazwan Roslan (Perlis), Chun Keng Hong (Pulau Pinang)

KELUAR: Razali Umar Kandasamy (KL Plus), Khalid Jamlus, Azlan Zainal (Kelantan), Danial Fadzly, Fakri Saarani (Perlis), Nasril Nourdin, Hamsani Ahmad, K. Nanthakumar (Selangor), Shahrul Nizam Mustapha (Kedah), Khairi Zainuddin (Kuala Lumpur), Chan Wing Hoong (DPMM), Hardi Jaafar (Selangor), Ahmad Shahrul Azhar (bersara)

PERLIS

MASUK: Nizaruddin Yusof, Nizam Abu Bakar, (Polis), Danial Fadzly, Fakri Saarani (Perak), Farizal Marlias (Shahzan Muda), Mohd Kamil Ghani (Melaka), Badrulzaman Abdul Halim (PKNS), Yazid Yassin (Negeri Sembilan), Zamzuri Mohd Isa (Kedah), Mazlizam Mohamad, Firdaus Mohd Faudzi (Kuala Muda Naza)

KELUAR: Mohd Syazwan Roslan (Perak), Reithaudin Emran (DPMM), Azlan Ismail (Terengganu), Zainal Rabin (Felda United), Rudie Ramli (Selangor), Zulkifli Yusoff, Khairul Anuar Ramli, Azizi Mat Rose, Rusfazly Rahman (dilepaskan)

SELANGOR

MASUK: Khairul Anuar Baharom (Negeri Sembilan), Nasril Nourdin, Hamsani Ahmad, K. Nanthakumar (Perak), Sanjos Sundawat, Fazli Baharuddin (Polis), Rudie Ramli (Perlis), Hardi Jaafar (Perak),

KELUAR: Elie Aiboy (PSMS Medan), Fadzli Shaari, Safiq Rahim (KL Plus), Abdul Ghani Rahman (Felda United), Akmal Rizal Ahmad Rakhli, Suffian Abdul Rahman (Kuala Muda Naza), Indra Putra Mahayuddin (Kelantan), Shukor Adan (DPMM), Megat Amir Faisal, Wan Hoesne Wan Hussain, Nuraizat Aziz (dilepaskan)

TERENGGANU

MASUK: Shahrizam Mohamad (Sarawak), Azlan Ismail (Perlis), Mohd Hafizi Awang (Kelantan), Tengku Hazman (Johor FC), Wan Mohd Aliff Wan Jasni (PKNS), Syam Syahril Ghulam, Badrul Hisham Morris (Proton)

KELUAR: Che Hishamuddin Hassan (Kelantan), Durahim Jamaluddin, Zulfahmi Ariffin (dilepaskan)

UPB MYTEAM

MASUK: Stanley Bernard (Kuala Lumpur), Hariri Safii (Harimau Muda)

KELUAR: Mohd Haris Safwan (T-Team), Irwan Fadzli Idrus (KL Plus)