| Fadhil Yunus |
BRUNEI Darussalam’s club Arbisyam FC endured a heavy 9-0 defeat to Myanmar’s MIC FC in their opening Group ‘A’ fixture of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Futsal Club Championship at the Yogyakarta State University Gymnasium in Yogyakarta yesterday.
With both sides starting to have a feel of the game, MIC FC’s Htet Myat pass for a team-mate nearly led to a breakthrough and only a leg from an opposition player denied them a fine start.
Arbisyam were soon made aware of the high level and quality of the competition as MIC’s Khin Zaw Linn rifled home an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper Nabil in the third minute.
Aung Thu continued the MIC threat by driving an ambitious long-range attempt into the side-netting near the touchline. With the Myanmar side ramping up the pressure, Nabil was called into action to deny an unmarked Hiang Min Tun into doubling the lead.
MIC’s Naing Ye came close to finding the net after directing the ball into goal with a header with goalkeeper Kyaw Htet showing his reading abilities with a long throw.
Arbisyam received a foul from a promising position after M Radhi was felled but Syazwan shot went straight to a MIC player.
The Myanmar club doubled their lead after Kyaw Soe Moe applied maximum pressure to the Arbisyam defence before firing the ball home the moment he found sight of the ball.
Radhi, who looked eager to make things work for the Brunei club, had the right idea to hold the ball up before setting up an advancing teammate but MIC thwarted their plan.
The pivot then fired a shot from range while on the other end opposing player Htet tried his shot from an acute angle.
The Myanmar league runners-up took a quick corner but Htet saw his shot well wide from a central position.
Arbisyam had the closest opportunity to get into the score-sheet as Abdul Azim delightfully controlled the ball but contrived to poke his shot wide after quick thinking from Nabil.
Meanwhile Htet, who had a series of opportunities in as many minutes, aimed his shot straight at the goalkeeper.
Naing had beaten the Arbisyam goalkeeper with an apparent chipped ball looked to have done the trick but a defender stuck a leg out for his team’s aid.
It was 3-0 in the final five minutes of play in the first half after Pyae Phyo Maung guided the ball into the empty net after a teammate had taken Nabil and company out of the equation.
MIC’s Hein Min brushed against the post after his teammate elected to pass from a free-kick.
Radhi came close into getting his side’s first goal but unfortunately his shot ended wide.
Khin demonstrated his predatory instincts by flicking the ball away from Arbisyam’s Mansyor which allowed him space to sink a low drive for his second goal of the game.
Arbisyam’s Muhd Azizul had the right idea to pick out a team-mate who was waiting on the wings but MIC goalkeeper Kyaw was alert to break the move.
Arbisyam should have pulled one back after breaking from a counter but Ali Qadhry could only shoot straight at Kyaw.
Naing was unfortunate not to get his name on the score-sheet after being the next player to be denied by the post following good work from Kyaw Soe Moe.
Nabil’s quick reflexes prolonged Khin’s endeavours for a hat-trick after the forward was picked out by Ko Ko Lwin.
Arbisyam’s Syazwan delivered a fine ball for Abdul Azim who had space to unleash a shot but unfortunately it ended straight at the arms of an untroubled Kyaw.
The Brunei side were getting chances of breaking their scoring duck as after an initial shot from Abdul Azim was turned away by the goalkeeper, Abee scuffed his shot wide.
Although a fifth goal was inevitable judging from their relentless pursuit, their search was temporarily put on hold after Maung sliced his shot wide.
The Myanmar side should have gotten a fifth after a flowing move but Naing missed the target.
Nabil could only parry a fierce drive by Tun into the path of Maung who buried the rebound.
MIC got a sixth not long after Maung coolly struck from close range after Hiang Min Tun set him up with a cheeky no-look pass.
Arbisyam finally tested the largely untroubled Kyaw after Radhi forced the goalkeeper into diving to his right with a fine drive from long range.
Aung Thu’s strike squirmed underneath the legs of Nabil to make it 7-0 and three minutes later Hein Min Soe powered home a neat strike after finding space.
Khin’s chances for a hat-trick faded after a smart save from Nabil but the goalkeeper could not prevent MIC from finding a ninth goal as Tun drilled a low effort home.
Arbisyam earned their place in the invitational club competition after finishing second and as the highest-placed local side in the Brunei Futsal League (BFL) last season.