| James Kon |
HEEDING the coach’s message to “play all out”, the Special Olympics Brunei Darussalam football team made the country proud by upsetting the odds to become champions of the 5th Special Olympics Southeast Asia 5-A-Side Unified Football Tournament.
Brunei lifted the trophy for the first time in history after defeating hot favorites Thailand 3-2 in the final.
Returning from Manila, where the tournament was held, the team received a heroes’ welcome at Brunei International Airport, where they were greeted by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, and Lt Col Pengiran Haji Rambli bin Pengiran Haji Bunut, President of Special Olympics Brunei Darussalam.
Head coach Awang Suhaili bin Mohammad said, “It’s a historic result. We are very proud to bring the title home.”
The win was made sweeter as Brunei avenged their 1-0 group loss to Thailand.
Going into the final, Awang Suhaili told the players to turn the table.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, and Lt Col Pengiran Haji Rambli bin Pengiran Haji Bunut, President of Special Olympics Brunei Darussalam, in a group photo with the team. – JAMES KON
“My instruction was to play all out because we really wanted to win championship.
“They kept their cool and followed instructions. We have a very balanced team. All the players were able to play good football.”
“They have been playing well together. Their bond is not only on the field but also off it. They are close friends,” he said, adding that he hoped to defend the title next year in Thailand.
Lt Col Pengiran Haji Rambli bin Pengiran Haji Bunut said, “We are very proud of this achievement.
“It shows that if we are focussed, we can achieve success. The achievement also shows that special needs athletes can perform well with ordinary individuals in the unified team.”
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