| Fadhil Yunus |
MS ABDB have been crowned Brunei DST Sumbangsih Cup winners for the third time after edging Indera SC 2-1 in an enthralling contest at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium last night.
The double league and cup winners fell behind after Indera SC’s Md Asri bin Haji Aspar opened the scoring in the 19th minute but a brace by Razimie Ramlli in the second half turned the tie on its head.
MS ABDB striker Abdul Azizi bin Ali Rahman narrowly missed the top corner after connecting a good cross while in the opposite end Indera SC Md Ammil Rahman Ramlee fired a decent effort wide in the closing stages of the first half in an opportunity to double his side’s lead.
Razimie showed lethal instincts to pounce his team’s leveller in the 63rd minute before finding the winner in the 88th minute after Md Fadhli bin Haji Awang Salleh’s initial effort rebounded off Indera SC’s shot-stopper Md Ahsanuddin bin Haji Md Dani.
However, Indera SC spurned two gilt-edged opportunities to end the regulation time in a draw after Md Zulkhairy Razali skied his effort wide after being teed up by a team-mate before failing to connect a header in the same spot as injury time loomed.
MS ABDB team manager Major (A) Hasnul Alwe bin Haji Matassan was proud of his charges after defending their Sumbangsih Cup title.
MS ABDB manager and team captain receiving the champions’ trophy. – PHOTOS: KHAIRIL HASSAN
The champions in a group photo
“We are proud to be called as back-to-back winners of the Sumbangsih Cup and for a third time,” he said in an interview with the Bulletin.
It was the first taste of success for Major (A) Hasnul since taking over the reins from former manager Major (A) Razanol Hardi bin Abdul Razak.
The army personnel had the second half planned out with the introduction of similarly good players in the 70th minute to adopt a pressing game taking into the account that the opposition’s stamina may have dropped.
“When we trailed 1-0, my players have been trained to use the right mentality, control and find their rhythm,” said MS ABDB head coach Bintara Haji Mesli bin Haji Dullah.
The guest of honour at the event was Amir bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Bijaya Colonel (Rtd) Dato Paduka Haji Hussin, Assistant General Manager of DST Group IT Services, who presented the prizes.
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