| Fadhil Yunus |
THE Veteran Football Association (VFA) yesterday conducted a draw for the second round of the DST National Veteran Football League President Cup and the third round of the FA Cup at the Lecture Theatre of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.
The draw and briefing, which was conducted by the Secretary General of VFA, Jabar Ithnin, was attended by managers from the teams who have qualified for both or one of the competitions.
Unlike last year, only a number of carpet surface pitches will be used while few matches will be contested at the Awang Semaun Secondary School and the RIPAS Primary School.
The managers heard that the league has encountered a problem on the availability of referees which forced a postponement of matches.
These referees are tied with duties in the Brunei DST Super and Premier League matches as well as the NFABD Under-16 Youth League though such a problem has since been resolved.
The tournament director has decided for one to take place in the Brunei-Muara District and the remaining matches in other districts.
The committee is also looking at alternatives to host evening matches during weekdays whereby officials are not involved in any of the NFABD-sanctioned leagues.
Veteran Football Association committee members and the veteran team managers in a group photo. – KHAIRIL HASSAN
The association has been able to complete the President Cup group stage matches as well as the first and second rounds of the FA Cup before the start of Ramadhan.
Other than that, they have made a long-term measure in organising a basic referee course which is open to VFA members, officials and players in the championship.
“We have produced a total of 25 referees and a part of this number has already started officiating and hopefully they will take charge in the knockout matches,” said Jabar.
Each team who have qualified to the next round of the President Cup will not meet each other if they have played each other from the same group until at least the final.
I-Team will meet the first runners-up of Group ‘B’ Manggis FC, while RB Veteran will meet Group ‘A’ runners-up, Riwayat. Besa FC will play TJ FC while BSRC will meet Kilugus FC in the second round.
Defending champions XN FT will meet IKLS Veteran while Stoneville have a date against Al Idrus. Rimba Star will meet AKSE Bersatu while Mohais FC will meet Oldstars to complete the second round in the President Cup.
Meanwhile in the FA Cup, Al Idrus will play Besa FC while Stoneville will take on Oldstars. Rimba Star will play KB Warriors while BIP will meet Mohais.
I-Team have to overcome MPK PB while PSJD will hope to erase their President Cup capitulation starting with a win against KPPKSK.
RB Veterans and XN FT should provide a mouth-watering clash while IKLS Veteran play Miisa United in the hopes of earning a quarter-final place.
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