| Fadhil Yunus |
BRUNEI Darussalam’s national under-18 team occupied top spot in Group ‘B’ in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-18 Youth Championship following a thrilling 3-2 win over the Philippines at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar yesterday.
The national under-18 team currently lead the chase by goal difference, with Indonesia also exacting the result but having scored fewer goals in a 2-1 win over hosts Myanmar.
Abdul Wadud Ramli became the hero for the Brunei under-18s after his header, just after the hour mark, sealed a tense affair.
The young Wasps were startled with Philippines’ opener after Mariano Suba capitalised on an error from Brunei’s defender Mohamad Azirul Asmadi Aji before slotting home.
However, Brunei replied instantly as Muhammad Abdul Mateen Said grabbed the equaliser a minute later after unleashing a powerful drive past Philippines’ shot-stopper Jessie Semblante.
The national under-18 team were awarded a penalty after a Philippines’ player was penalised for a foul on Muhammad Nur Asyraffahmi Norsamri who converted from the spot to give Brunei the lead.
It was the Philippines’ turn to draw level after their captain Fidel Tacardon nodded home a Robert Wilson corner in the 55th minute.
But the young Bruneians were not to be denied as Abdul Wadud connected a Muhammad Nur Asyraffahmi’s cross to provide a lead in the 65th minute that they would not relinquish.
Brunei under-18s striker Muhammad Abdul Mateen Said refused to rest on their laurels and is already shifting his focus onto the next game towards repeating the same level of performance which catapulted the country’s first win in a decade.
“We are of course very happy to pick up our first full points, which is really our first international win. Now we have to prepare well for our next game,” the striker told AFF.
Brunei national under-18 team manager Zulkifli Haji Duraman echoed the striker’s sentiments after seeing them establishing a perfect start to their campaign.
“We’re happy to have won our first game and it shows that all the hard work we’ve put in during training has paid off,” he said.
With the win, the national youth team, who has only been together for six months, erased a 14-match losing streak in this age group which stretched back to the 2007 edition.
It is Brunei’s first win at this level in 10 years when they beat Cambodia 2-1 at the Thanh Long Sports Complex in Vietnam and only their third win since the tournament was created in 2002.
Brunei will resume their campaign against Vietnam, who will play their first group stage game, tomorrow.
In the other Group ‘B’ game, Indonesia were staring defeat but a brace from Egy Maulana Vikri in the 90th and three minutes of stoppage time ensured a dramatic 2-1 win.
The post Brunei lead Group ‘B’ after Philippines win appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.