Jason Thomas
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
DEFENDING champions QAF FC will end the first round of the DSTGroup Brunei Premier League I top of the table thanks to a brace from Viban Francis Bayong.
Though the Cameroonian midfielder was not his usual dominant self against Majra FC last night, he showed up when it mattered the most and his penalty and free-kick was enough for a 3-2 result at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas, where he also provided an assist in QAF FC’s eighth win of the season.
The league will take a break for the DSTGroup League Cup which gets underway on Friday and then the 3rd Borneo Games which the Sultanate will host for the first time from Nov 29 to Dec 6.
The second round begins on Dec 9 and QAF FC’s manager knows they will have their work cut out for them if they want to retain their crown.
“The team were not on top form today (Monday) but at least I am happy that we will end the first round on top,” said Rahim Hj Daud after the match.
“We face AM Gunners FC (who are second in the league) again in the next round, so we are looking a favourable result when they take on third-placed Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) tomorrow (Tuesday).
“As for today’s game, there were too many bad passes and we lost our concentration in the first half which we worked hard to correct in the second,” he added.
Remaining fifth in the table, Majra were always in the match until the final few minutes when their lack of stamina caught up with them.
Majra’s attack was always going to cause problems for QAF FC and they forced the league leaders on the back foot in the opening exchanges.
Mohamad Faizal Mohammad scored both of Majra’s goals, the striker working well with Adi Said to create chances and run at QAF FC’s defence.
The Majra hitman opened the scoring in the 38th minute when he took advantage of some hesitant defending to dribble past three markers and coolly slot home from inside the box.
However, QAF FC denied Majra a lead at the half-time break when midfielder Adie Arsham Muhd Salleh controlled a headed pass from Bayong to score with the last kick of the first half.
Mohd Sahan Mumtazali in between the posts for QAF FC then failed to handle a stinging shot from outside the box by Majra’s captain Md Julremi Hj Zaini, with Mohamad Faizal gleefully taping home from close range.
However, the tides would soon turn and Bayong netted in the 69th minute from the penalty spot after striker Hamizan Aziz Sulaiman was brought down in the box.
He bagged the winner six minutes later with a well-taken free-kick which curled over the wall and into the goal, and though Majra would create chances, they failed to capitalise on them.
Meanwhile, MS ABDB take on AM Gunners FC in today’s action at the Penanjong Camp in Tutong, while the Berakas Sports Complex will play host to the match between Wijaya FC and Indera FC.
Both matches are set for an 8.15pm kick off.
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