| Fadhil Yunus |
BRUNEI Darussalam under-12 national team completed their group stage with an emphatic 5-1 defeat by Malaysia Panthers in the SuperMokh Cup at the Maybank Field ‘A’, Bangi yesterday.
The national juniors have already dropped out of contention for the cup knock-out stages but will be involved in the plate quarterfinals where they could face Malaysia’s NFDP Terrenganu, the third place finisher in Group ‘A’.
The third consecutive defeat left the young Tabuan rooted at the bottom of Group ‘B’ without a single point managing only two goals and conceded 11 times.
Brunei under-12 goalkeeper Muhd Mirza Luqman Roslie started in the match with Md Khairien Aiman Salazni deployed as a striker.
Ahmad Danish retained his place in left midfield with Muhammad Azirul Aiman Suderman playing on the other side in right midfield.
Malaysia Panthers seized an opportunity to open the scoring in the 6th minute as Muhd Mirza endured a tough opening few minutes and the goalkeeper was shortly replaced in the 12th minute to stabilise their defence.
The young Tabuan found the equaliser in the 19th minute after Awangku Md Adzzaham Aleshahmezan Pengiran Metali created space to beat his marker before drilling a fine effort.
Brunei Darussalam under-12 national team in a group picture prior to kick-off against Malaysia Panthers. – NFABD
However, the Malaysia Panthers upped the tempo and exerted maximum pressure scoring three times in a space of four minutes in the 35th, 38th and 39th minute.
The young Tabuan players’ were stunned by the destruction and shipped one more in the 51st minute with the Malaysians running comfortable winners.
Brunei Darussalam under-12 head coach Steven Ng reiterated that lack of experience affected the team but maintains that the much-needed exposure would enable them to gain composure in future matches.
“This is a game where Tabuan is able to show their ability to compete with the better teams in the group”, said Ng whose charges managed to hold off the group’s runners-up at the break.
“The inexperience of players to soak up the pressure when the Malaysians started to step up shown with the drop in confidence”, said Ng.
“Better exposure will help the boys get better composure in games”, the head coach concluded.
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