| Fadhil Yunus |
RATANO Haji Tuah scored a sublime free-kick in the 117th minute in the 4-3 win in extra time over Lun Bawang to send IKLS FC through to the quarterfinals of the Brunei DST FA Cup 2016 at a dark Berakas Sports Complex yesterday.
It was the first time in this year’s competition that a cup tie had to be settled in extra time after both sides were locked two goals apiece in regulation time.
The match came to life in the second half with both sides converting their chances despite offering little threat on goal and rarely tested the opposition’s goalkeeper.
IKLS had earlier missed a 26th minute penalty after the referee spotted a handball by a Lun Bawang player.
IKLS’s goalkeeper Abd Muiz Haji Suchi collected more routine catches than saves with Petrus’s snapshot and a tricky free-kick in the fringes of the second half extra time of minimal concern.
IKLS drew first blood after seasoned midfielder Ratano scored directly from a corner in the 64th minute.
However, the Temburong outfit pegged back after Micky Ak Gindi powered a firm header into the back of the net from a Petrus Jumat’s corner in the 69th minute.
IKLS got their noses on front after Md Fakhri Ismail bundled home in the 73rd minute only for Lun Bawang to equalise for a second time in the match.
IKLS and Lun Bawang players battle for the ball. – FADHIL YUNUS
Yunus Lupat found space and threaded a crisp pass to Petrus who showed composure to round the goalkeeper before slotting the ball into the empty net in the 81st minute.
Ak Muhd Syahiiruddin Pengiran Haji Tengah spurned a glorious chance to win it for IKLS after flashing his diving header wide.
However, the IKLS full back made amends after steering home a fine effort in the second period of extra time in the 107th minute.
Lun Bawang looked to have forced the game into penalties after Amir Ak Bujang benefited from a penalty box scrap with a simple finish which resulted from IKLS failing to clear a loose ball from a set-piece.
However, the winner was set up perfectly for the former QAF midfielder after swinging a fine free kick into the top corner three minutes before the end of the second period of extra time.
IKLS head coach Haji Ali Rahman bin Haji Sulaiman admitted that the game started at a slow tempo in the first half but noted that both sides picked up in the second half.
“We know that in the second half there will be a good game for the both teams. As we know, the goals came in succession from both sides,” said Haji Ali Rahman in a post-match interview with the Bulletin.
IKLS had used all their three substitutions in normal time and had to take some risks in extra time.
“We just have set-pieces and the last set-piece we’ve scored,” continued the head coach.
Haji Ali Rahman agreed that playing in the dark during the late stages of extra time contributed to the winner.
IKLS, who also defeated Lun Bawang by the same score-line in last year’s FA Cup, will meet Najip I Team in the quarterfinals at the Berakas Sports Complex on Friday night.
Meanwhile, Kota Ranger FC booked a place in the quarterfinals of the Brunei DST FA Cup 2016 following a 4-1 win over Kilanas FC at the Track and Field Sports Complex yesterday afternoon.
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