| Fadhil Yunus |
BRUNEI Darussalam showed their competitive side but ultimately ended the qualification round of the AFF Suzuki Cup in a thrilling 4-3 defeat to Laos at the RSN Stadium last night.
Laos’ Sitthideth Khanthavong spurned a glorious opportunity with a free header after directing the ball straight to Wardun Yussof from a delicate ball from the dangerous Phattana Syvilay.
Faiq Jefri Bolkiah started the move and found Adi Said who returned the favour with a clever pass as the former decided to use the instep to test goalkeeper Vathana Keodouangdeth.
The Leicester City starlet proved a menace and laid off for Azizi Ali Rahman who rounded Vathana but took a heavy touch and was unable to pounce despite the goalkeeper floored.
The action was end to end as Soukaphone combined with a team-mate though Wardun saved the ball with ease.
Azwan Salleh found his team-mate in the box as Azizi nodded the ball towards the path for Adi Said who slammed the ball into the roof of the net for his second goal in his last three appearances.
Laos nearly got an immediate response but the Bruneian defence successfully nullified the threat as Wardun collected the loose ball.
Players challenge for the ball during the match.
Soukaphone Vongchiengkham grabbed the equaliser for Laos on the stroke of half-time.
Brunei made a change in the break with a like-to-like substitution as Md Afi Aminuddin was introduced in place of Khairil Shahme Suhaimi.
Soukaphone fed Thotnilath Sibounhuang with a deft touch but the Laotian made a hash of his lob attempt with his effort sailing over the bar with Wardun off his line.
Phattana tucked a second half penalty in the 51st minute before adding a second as a result of uncertain defending six minutes later from a set-piece.
The Wasps were handed a lifeline after Faiq Jefri Bolkiah coolly slotted a penalty for his first senior international goal in the 67th minute.
In contrast of a rather ordinary first half, Soukaphone was immense releasing a fine ball for the overlapping Maitee Hatsady before finding Phattana on the far post who completed his hat-trick
The clinical winger also cemented his name as the qualifying tournament’s top scorer on four goals, one ahead of Cambodia’s Prak Mony Udom.
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