| Fadhil Yunus |
BRUNEI Darussalam under-23 forward Naziruddin bin Haji Ismail missed a last-gasp penalty during a 2-1 loss to Indonesia in a dramatic finale of their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-23 Qualifiers campaign at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi yesterday.
The youthful Wasps were denied their first point in the competition having lost their opening two games.
Brunei were trailing 2-0 when a retaken penalty from Md Azim Izamuddin bin Haji Suhaimi – their first goal of the competition – coupled with Indonesia being reduced to 10 men gave them renewed hope of an unlikely comeback.
The comeback seemed to be on the cards when Md Azim Izamuddin won his side a penalty but Naziruddin could not make the opportunity count for a late point in the 94th minute.
Indonesia forward Muhammad Dimas Drajad played a starring role for his contributions on opposite ends of the pitch as goal-scorer and a penalty save, ensuring a solitary win in Group K.
Brunei Darussalam goalkeeper Haimie anak Nyaring landed into trouble after his clearance was blocked by Muhammad Dimas Drajad and his teammate Witan Sulaeman was quick to react and evade the sliding challenge of a defender.
The DPMM FC man elected to make a long kick from the ground as opposed to from his hands directly and by the time he launched one into the skies Muhammad Dimas had shut the space.
The forward succeeded in making the block as there was not enough elevation on the ball with his error-strewn goal kick.
Witan reached the ball first and Muhammad Dimas was in the most ideal position besides him to be fed on a silver platter. With Haimie committed in no man’s land, the Indonesian youngster squared the ball to Muhammad Dimas who steered it into the empty net.
The tricky Witan had a chance to hand Brunei another blow at the stroke of half time but Haimie pulled a good stop in a one-on-one confrontation.
The introduction of Egy Maulana Vikri gave the Indonesians more attacking options and he proved a constant threat to the Brunei defence.
In search of a second goal, Nurhidayat Haji Harris unleashed a decent volley wide from a Witan corner.
The Garuda needed a shot from distance to double the advantage as Muhammad Raffi Syarahil rifled a low left-footed strike from outside the box.
Brunei got the better of the Indonesian defence after they beat the offside trap with substitute Awangku Md Azreen Eskander bin Pengiran Haji Sa’oda all alone with only the goalkeeper to beat.
The forward was fouled by Indonesia goalkeeper Muhammad Riyandi to claim a chance from the spot.
Brunei’s Muhammad Nur Asyraffahmi bin Norsamri stepped up but missed the spot-kick and subsequently the rebound but almost instantaneously the referee showed Muhammad Riyandi, who had already been booked for his foul which led to the penalty, a second yellow card.
The most plausible explanation to his dismissal on closer inspection was for stepping ahead of his line.
Indonesia had used all their substitutes, so goal-scorer Muhammad Dimas was sacrificed to occupy the goalkeeper role.
A change of penalty takers saw Muhd Azim Izamuddin making no mistake from the spot with an emphatic finish.
Indonesia makeshift goalkeeper Muhammad Dimas kept his side in the lead after a display of bravery when he stormed out of his line to claim a loose ball with a Brunei attacker ready to pounce.
Brunei tried to make full use not just because of numerical advantage but also the goalkeeper not playing in his natural position as Naziruddin struck over the bar.
The youthful Wasps were presented an opportunity to recover from a defeat deep into injury time as Indonesia conceded a second penalty in as many minutes after Egy barged into Muhd Azim Izamuddin.
However, Naziruddin’s penalty attempt was too central for Muhammad Dimas who became the hero with a match-winning save.