| Fadhil Yunus |
PSJD emerged champions of the Al Idrus Football League Championship after defeating Al Idrus FT 6-5 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out at the Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex last Sunday.
Both sides, who have gained a sterling reputation as traditional powerhouses in the veteran scene, could not be separated in normal times after the scores were tied 1-1.
The Tutong-based outfit exacted perfect redemption after they were knocked out from the Al Idrus FA Cup earlier this season in the quarter-finals against a side gunning for a cup and league double.
But Al Idrus FT received a setback as Haji Hassan bin Haji Damit was not available for the match. The star forward’s importance to the team has been exemplified by his hat-trick heroics in the FA Cup win.
Azmanuddin Haji Gilen, who also bagged a brace in the FA Cup win and a key player in Al Idrus’ attacking ambitions, was another notable absentee. The league top scorer Muhammad Nadzrin Abdullah did not start the match.
With the focus on PSJD captain Tommy Kambang pulling the strings in midfield, striker Haji Annuar bin Haji Seidil broke the deadlock just a minute into the second half.
Ishak bin Ibrahim cancelled out his opener five minutes later, which turned out to be the final goal of the game in normal time before the tie was decided by penalties.
SM FC and RB Veteran, the two teams that enjoyed deep progress in both competitions, shared third place in the competition as losing semi-finalists.
SM FC also finished as runners-up in the FA Cup while RB Veteran finished among the last four teams in the two contested competitions.
Meanwhile, for the individual awards, Md Shahruni Haji Bungsu was named the best player while Muhammad Nadzrin scooped the top scorer award with 20 goals.
Each player in the veteran league has been categorised depending on their age and individual awards were also given to the various groups for best player in the league overall.
The best players were SM FC’s Suandi Haji Ismail in the veteran category, PSJD’s Tommy Kambang in the master category and SM FC’s Metusin Sumpong in the grand master category.
Riwayat FC, who accomplished a record for the biggest win in the tournament, was named as the league’s fair play team.