| Fadhil Yunus |
THE Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) have announced their intent to defend their crown in 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 ahead of the semi-final clash against the Ministry of Defence at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex tonight.
“In the Keputeraan Cup, we recognise that the focus will be on us as the defending champion. However, the teams who are in the semi-final are no pushovers who carry their own strengths,” said team manager Ardi Tengah in an interview with the media recently.
“As a defending champion, it is a certainty that MoHA carry aspirations to retain the title,” he continued.
MoHA, who topped Group ‘A’ with 12 points via goal difference, will be hoping to carry their fine form in the tournament.
The team continued their training following the completion of the group stages as they bid to make a safe return to the final following a lengthy break.
Despite being tagged as favourites to defend their crown, the MoHA will be examining all possible areas to ensure that they will be in the right shape to face opposition which primarily focus on high level of discipline and fitness.
“I believe that without training it will be difficult to reach the next stage. The level of fitness is very important because we have been informed that the Ministry of Defence (MinDef) have high level of fitness and discipline.”
The MoHA have announced that all three teams still involved in the semi-finals will bring great challenge to their quest for their defence of the title adding that the competition in this edition has been the sternest compared to previous years as teams have stepped up their performances.
He said that the semi-final will provide an entertaining contest as MoHA will be keen to maintain their excellent performance and their title while MinDef will be hoping to chart history by reaching the final for the first time.
The team manager added that the Ministry of Development will want to reacquire the feeling of reaching the final as they did in previous edition while the Prime Minister’s Office will want to better their best result by making an appearance in the final for the first time.
“The competition is getting fierce, and whichever team who succeeds in setting up their strategy accurately and effectively, most certainly will be the team who will make it to the final,” said Ardi.
Asked about his hopes and advice for the players, Ardi said, “I hope that the players will be able to pay full attention to their game and keep their discipline as well as keeping in mind that cooperation of one team in football is important because we play with 11 players and it does not rest solely on individuals.
“Every player must always maintain a high level of fitness because the semi-final will be tougher than the group stages,” he further added.
He has been impressed with the level of competition stating that a lot of teams have stepped up their performances compared to previous editions adding that there have been quite a number of shocks.
“I genuinely believe that the supporters will not be left disappointed especially those who are rooting for their ministries and for the love of football in the country other than the Brunei DST Super League and the Brunei DST Premier League,” the team manager concluded.
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