Brunei a step away from AFF group stage

Fadhil Yunus

The Brunei Darussalam nationwide soccer workforce are one foot away from reaching the primary draw of the ASEAN Soccer Federation (AFF) Mitsubishi Electrical Cup 2022 after sweeping apart Timor Leste 6-2 within the first leg qualification spherical on the Monitor and Area of the Hassanal Bolkiah Nationwide Sports activities Complicated yesterday.

The four-goal benefit places Brunei in the very best place to make it to the group stage for the primary time since their sole participation within the inaugural version in 1996.

Crew captain Hendra Azam Idris noticed his shot whistle previous the Timor Leste goalkeeper Junildo Manuel De Castro Pereira and the goalmouth after a teammate had intercepted an opponent off the ball.

The Wasps took the lead within the seventeenth minute as Abdul Azizi Ali Rahman produced a deft end previous the goalkeeper after a teammate had made a defence-splitting cross.

The aim sparked celebrations culminating within the participant having a heat embrace with the nationwide coach Mario Rivera Campesino.

Nevertheless, the hosts have been despatched a warning as Juvito Moniz noticed his header journey simply huge following a cross from a teammate.

Abdul Azizi was a relentless menace upfront and his tempo pressured the guests to commit a number of fouls.

He got here near double the nationwide workforce and his tally after his header went huge following a nook from Hakeme Yazid bin Mentioned.

The hosts doubled their lead as Abdul Azizi steered the ball into the online after Nurikhwan Othman had earlier gained the ball from a nook.

However Timor Leste have been handed a lifeline on the stroke of half time after workforce captain Mouzinho Barreto de Lima lowered arrears.

Brunei substitute Razimie Ramlli restored Brunei’s two-goal benefit within the hour’s mark however the Timor Leste narrowed their lead as soon as once more by way of midfielder Jhon Oliveira.

Brunei midfielder Azwan Muhamad Salleh, one of many nation’s extra skilled gamers, helped prolong their lead earlier than Wafi Aminuddin bagged his first worldwide aim for the senior workforce a minute from time.

It was pure ecstasy for the Bruneian footballing group as substitute Razimie struck on the demise, placing the nation in the absolute best form forward of the second leg.

The 2 sides will meet once more for the second leg on November 8, with the winner reserving a spot within the group stage alongside powerhouses Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia and Cambodia.