| Fadhil Yunus |
Brunei Darussalam under-14s suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to Vietnam under-14s in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-14 Regional Festival of Football at the Track and Field Sports Complex yesterday.
The national under-14 team have shown fighting spirit and character during the second half of their clashes against Myanmar and Singapore but they could not contain the relentless Vietnamese onslaught under humid conditions.
The national juniors entered the break only a goal down after Vo Nguyen Hoang scored for Vietnam in the 19th minute but they crumbled after the first goal-scorer capitalised on susceptible defending.
The Young Tabuans’s shaky defence was exposed as Hoang sled in his effort into the bottom corner to double the lead with the match having restarted after the interval.
Vietnam delivered an inviting cross into the box and a Brunei defender could not leap high enough to hook the ball away enabling the unmarked Nguyen Quoc Hoang to time his volley to perfection into the rippled net.
As one of the more popular players in the Brunei squad with the supporters chanting his name, Md Addy Zaky Billah Haji Awang Raimi flew down the blocks from his left-back position to tend to a loose ball and managed to direct his effort towards goal before it passed for a goal-kick.
The players pose for a group photo. – KHAIRIL HASSAN
However, Vietnam’s substitute goalkeeper Pham Van Dong Dien who received his first real test showed a safe pair of hands with a Brunei player lurking.
With Brunei showing more ambition on the final third of the pitch, their good work came undone as Doan Minh Nhut scored Vietnam’s fourth goal in the 54th minute.
Vietnam’s substitute Pham Thanh Long received a good ball which allowed him through on goal but Brunei’s substitute goalkeeper Md Bil Muhtadin Yusrin Abu Bakar left his lines early to narrow the angle and saved his shot.
The forward got a second bite of the cherry but a Brunei defender was on hand to sweep the danger for a corner.
From the ensuing corner, the young Golden Stars extended their lead as Tran Thanh Tu nodded home a powerful header.
The Young Tabuans were still armed with hope in search of a consolation as Md Zainul Ariffun Mahdinee called his team-mates to fill the box with only three players in his own half.
However, his long ball forward failed to reach any of the eight players in Vietnam’s half as Pham Van Dong who has been kept quiet except for his first real contribution let the ball land harmlessly for a goal-kick.
Meanwhile in Group ‘B’, Laos produced a solid 4-1 win over the Philippines with goals coming from Anousone Xaypanya, Chony Wanpaserth, Souphan Khambai On and Sombat Manyvong while Jiannecel Molina scored a mere consolation for the young Azkals.
In the other Group ‘B’ match, Malaysia ran out 5-1 winners over Cambodia inspired by a Muhammad Danial Amali double as well as strikes from Muhammad Firdaus Kaironnisam, Harith Naem Jaineh and Muhammad Alif Mutalib while Cambodia’s only goal came from Ry Leap Pheng.
Brunei will conclude their group game tonight at the Berakas Sports Complex against Thailand who are on course of racking their fourth consecutive victory in the regional festival.
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