| Fadhil Yunus |
THE Ministry of Education (MoE) fell short of a place in the semi-finals of the Inter-Ministry Football Championship Keputeraan Cup in conjunction with the 71st birthday of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam despite a 4-0 win over the Ministry of Finance (MoF) at the Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex last night.
MoE, who registered their fourth victory in five matches, required 12 goals without reply to pip second-placed Ministry of Development to the last four of the Keputeraan Cup.
Both MoE and Ministry of Development finished Group ‘A’ with 12 points each but the latter, together with Group ‘A’ winners Ministry of Home Affairs, made the cut via superior goal difference.
Ministry of Education’s Noor Raimi attempted a shot from the edge of the box but sailed wide past the Ministry of Finance’s goalkeeper Mohd Aslin bin Haji Murni.
Ministry of Education’s Md Helme bin Panjang spurned a glorious chance as his shot was deflected off for a corner.
MoE’s Shahruni bin Haji Bungsu burst forward into the box but after skipping past his marker with only the goalkeeper to beat fluffed his lines.
The Ministry of Education blew another chance after an unmarked Shahruni in the far post headed wide an appetising cross from Abdul Qahaar.
The Ministry of Finance goalkeeper nearly had an embarrassing moment but was relieved to see the ball rebounded off Noor Raimi for a goal kick.
Mohd Sofiyuddin Haji Buntan tried a shot from distance but it was comfortable for the goalkeeper.
Faizul Jefry bin Haji Zaini struck a decent shot but it was a good height for the goalkeeper.
The Ministry of Finance sent a good warning after Muhammad Nur Hassanuddin bin Haji Kula danced his way into the box and laying the ball for Muhd Hamizan bin Haji Hashim but unfortunately the ball was removed from his feet as he was about to be pulling the trigger.
The Ministry of Education went the closest yet towards breaking the deadlock after Noor Raimi directed the ball towards goal but somehow kept it out before Aminuddin bin Jumat struck the post.
But the ball came back to him moments later and placed the ball into the bottom corner for a cool finish to hand his side a well-deserved lead.
With the Ministry of Education keen to hit the goal target, Shahruni wasted another chance after firing his shot wide at the stroke of halftime.
The Ministry of Finance goalkeeper had a howler after dropping a Noor Raimi’s cross in what should had been a routine save.
Aminuddin struck his shot wide off the left post after being played through as MoE missed the chance to go 3-0 up.
Md Helme curled a stunning free-kick to make it 3-0 for the Ministry of Education.
Mohd Aslin had another heart in mouth moment after losing the ball but fortunately he was covered by a defending team-mate with Mohammad Sofiyuddin ready to pounce.
Patrick bin Layang added a fourth for the MoE in the 90th minute with their qualification hopes long vanished.
The Ministry of Finance’s goalkeeper had his fine moments too after keeping out Abdul Qahaar’s fierce drive.
The draw for the semi-finals has now been confirmed with the Ministry of Development joining the Ministry of Home Affairs in Group ‘A’ as well as the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Defence in Group ‘B’.
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