| Fadhil Yunus |
PROJEK Ikan Pusu (PIP) emerged champions in the 2018 NFABD Under-16 Youth League after their 2-0 win over Bang Dalam FC last Sunday at the Berakas Sports Complex.
The team now lead the table by an unassailable 18 points to stylishly win the 2018 championship. Projek Ikan Pusu bettered their requirement of a draw coming into the match.
PIP are also in line of scooping the Top Scorer award with lethal finisher Shafiq Hidayat Al-Azim’s haul of 15 goals looked likely not to be eclipsed. His nearest rival is his own team-mate Syafiq Saifuddin who has six.
PIP are unbeaten in the league, scoring 25 goals and conceding just twice en route to their maiden league title.
The team finished runners-up to Tabuan ‘A’ in the last two seasons and third time is the charm for the boys in yellow and black.
“For the last two years, we were runner-up to Tabuan A. This year, our dream has finally come true. For this, I will have to say thank you to all our coaches – in particular, Under-16 coach Ameer Aziz-Hakim Haji Abdul Lani and goalkeeper coach Muhd Zainal Abiddin Haji Ismail,” beamed PIP head coach Haji Omar Haji Jamil.
Asked what he said to his team in their post-mortem after the match, Haji Omar said, “Apart from congratulating my players, I told them it is not easy to win the Under-16 League. But, a big part of the credit also goes to the strong support of their parents and family members. Of course, PIP Management and our coaches all played big parts as well. Without them so strongly behind us, this victory today would not be possible.
“I also told my players to now think big – to go on to serve Brunei Darussalam with distinction and to help our country to eventually be a force to be reckoned with in ASEAN football. This is the ultimate objective of PIP. I also told them to be inspired by the National Youth Day 2018 slogan Belia Pemacu Negara Maju (Youth As Drivers of Progressive Nation). After all, they are our country’s future,” he added.
Asked for his thoughts, PIP Manager Cheah Swee Ming, added, “This may sound surprising, but I would like to, first and foremost, say thank you to all the participating teams for always putting in an extra effort whenever they play PIP. Without all of you constantly trying your best to defeat us, Projek Ikan Pusu would not be able to continuously work on our weaknesses and build on our strengths to be where we are today. It is obviously quality competition that helps all the participating teams to similarly improve. PIP is just fortunate to have two excellent strikers and an equally outstanding goalkeeper.
“Therefore, we must all thank FIFA and the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) for organising this league that enabled all the teams and players to have exposure to quality competition. We can train all year-round, but it is only with stiff competition that the rough diamonds will be able to emerge and dazzle.
“For example, Brunei Darussalam would not know about Hidayat, Syafiq or Muhd Ajrul if not for this competition. The latter amazingly only let in two goals throughout the tournament. He is truly a revelation,” he explained.
“Last, but by no means least, on behalf of PIP I would like to extend our sincere appreciation to His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, President of NFABD, for the very strong support of grassroots football development.
“Equally deserving special thanks are the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports for their strong support of junior football development in Brunei Darussalam. Grassroots football development is impossible without their continuous support,” he said.