| Fadhil Yunus |
BRUNEI Darussalam took a giant step closer towards reaching the knock-out phase of the AFC Solidarity Cup following a resounding 4-0 victory against Timor Leste at the Sarawak Stadium in Kuching, Malaysia last night.
The national team produced their biggest win since beating the same opponents in a 4-1 win in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) qualifiers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in 2008.
With the top two teams advancing in a group of three, Brunei Darussalam are almost guaranteed a semi-final berth on November 12 with a draw possibly confirming top spot of Group ‘A’.
Brunei midfielder Maududi Hilmi Kamis sent a teasing cross into the box which was parried away by the Timor Leste goalkeeper Aderito Raul Fernandes only as far as Mohd Shafie bin Haji Mohd
Effendy who hit his shot straight to a Timor Leste player.
Timor Leste’s Silveiro Garcia apologised to his team-mate after opting to fire his shot away which flew into the stands after skipping past makeshift defender Rosmin Kamis.
Rufino Walter Gama took advantage of casual defending from Brunei coupled with a kind bounce on a wet surface but Brunei’s shot-stopper Wardun Yussof pulled a smart save.
Wardun Yussof required medical treatment on what appeared to be his hand following a collision from Garcia who was sprinting in full flight having brushed aside a defender.
Filipe Oliveira received a booking for a reckless challenge on Helmi Zambin with both players battling for the ball.
Rufino curled a ball into Wardun’s right-hand side but missed the far post after collecting a good ball from Brunei’s half of the pitch.
Brunei’s Azwan Ali, joined by Adi Said, rejoice in celebration after scoring a goal during the AFC Solidarity Cup match against Timor Leste. – AFC
Fernandes was blocked by his own team-mate and his throw landed at Shahrazen Said who attempted to chip the ball into the net only to be cleared away by Oliveira.
The Wasps acquired the lead after Adi Said precise ball was met by Azwan Ali- brought on as a second half substitute for Shafie- who expertly curled it into the empty net after spotting Fernandes off his line.
Adi’s cushioned header fell kindly for Azwan who tried to return the favour with a neat pass into his path and though Fernandes did well with an unorthodox save using his legs, the ball only made its way to Shahrazen who applied a touch for Azwan to smash home his second goal.
Brunei were awarded a penalty after a Timor Leste player’s shove on Azwan Ali was deemed illegitimate by Iranian referee Payam Heidari prompting Shahrazen to tuck home the penalty for his fifth international goal.
Things got rather messy after Filipe Oliveira lost his cool but it was his team-mate Rufino who was given his marching orders for violent misconduct involving Azwan Ali who was also booked.
The Wasps were awarded a free-kick from a promising position after Oliveira needlessly gave away a free-kick after fouling Adi Said.
Adi executed a perfectly curled free kick to put Brunei 4-0 up in the 81th minute against a side which they laboured to a 2-1 win only recently.
Baharin Hamidon tried to get into the act but saw his shot saved by Fernandes as Brunei searched for a fifth.
Timor Leste were overcome with frustrations as Jose Fonseca got into the referee books for dissent.
Brunei won a free-kick late on despite Jose Vide voicing his displeasure to Nur Ikhmal Damit for allegedly going down far too easily as Azwan Ali’s shot straight at Fernandes signalled the end of the game.
The post Brunei on brink of semis with Timor Leste rout appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.