| Fadhil Yunus |
BRUNEI Shell Joint Venture got off to a perfect start in the football event of the 4th Brunei Darussalam National Games (SKBD) after a rousing 5-1 victory over Brunei Darussalam Sports School Council (MSSSBD) at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex last night.
BSJV chalked three points in their first fixture in Group ‘A’ ahead of a likely tougher test against Brunei Muara in their second game.
Brunei Shell entered the break with a 3-1 lead through Herman bin Hasnal’s strike in the 20th minute and a quick-fire double from Azmil bin Maidin and it got more comfortable as they dictated the tempo for most of the second half.
It was interesting to note that given the dominant performance by a well-organised BSJV side it were MSSSBD who took the lead through Nurhwlmi bin Sahrin in the 15th minute.
There was the odd occasion where MSSSBD would switch play into the flanks but the lead was never in danger as the BSJV’s goalkeeper was rarely if at all tested in the second half.
BSJV had a shot early in the second half but was thwarted by a combination of a goalkeeper and a defender before Amy Amizan bin Gudang saw his shot brush against the post following an error from a MSSSBD defender.
Herman attempted a scissor kick but the ball went pass him following a cross from Zainol bin Mohd Helmi.
The attacking-minded player returned to devastating effect at his next opportunity after coolly slotting the ball with a fine finish having profited from an excellent service by Zainol.
Herman saw a lot of the ball and blasted his effort wide after Junaidi Brahim had seemingly lost the chance for a one-on-one confrontation with the
goalkeeper which clearance resulted in a loose ball.
MSSSBD were on the back-foot for most of the second half as Muhd Hafiy bin Effendy looked to cause more pain though the danger was averted.
However, there was little that the MSSSBD goalkeeper could do after Amy Amizan pulled out a screamer from distance to go 5-1 up.
BSJV looked likely to add a sixth as Zahor Zaidi fired wide from an acute angle after being played through by a teammate before Muhd Gadafy bin Salleh sliced his shot wide after darting into the final third.
Brunei Shell’s Md Azizi bin Saudi produced a good delivery and substitute Muhd Syafiq took the pace off the ball with a shot which ended wide.