After years of heartache and frustration, the Brunei Darussalam national football team have finally found its spark, lifting the spirits of both players and fans alike.
Once overshadowed by a history of crushing defeats and underwhelming performances, the Wasps are beginning to show signs of a resurgence, propelled by a series of impressive results. The pinnacle of this newfound hope came in the form of a commanding 4-0 aggregate victory over Macau in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualification play-offs.
This resounding triumph sent a ripple of excitement through the country, a refreshing change for a team unaccustomed to such celebrations.
The roar of the home crowd in the first leg hinted at brighter days ahead for Brunei’s beloved Wasps, as they look to take on the challenges of the third and final qualification round set for March next year.
For far too long, Brunei football has been synonymous with disappointment. Fans have frequently taken to social media to air their grievances, criticising players and the football association in equal measure.
Football holds a special place in the hearts of Bruneians, and when expectations aren’t met, the fallout can be harsh.
The national team, ranked among the lowest by FIFA, often bears the brunt of this criticism, with even their best efforts sometimes falling short in the eyes of their passionate supporters.
One of the darkest moments in recent memory came during the first round of FIFA World Cup qualification last year, when Brunei suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Indonesia. The public outcry was swift, with fans demanding explanations from the football association. The debacle led to heated debates online, as statements from a former head coach and the nation’s star player added fuel to the fire.
Memes and satirical posts flooded social media, turning Brunei football into a topic of entertainment as much as frustration.
Amidst this storm, efforts were quietly underway to turn the tide. The Brunei Football Association worked to arrange more international friendlies and training camps abroad, signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Saudi Arabia in hopes of improving the team’s performance.
These initiatives have begun to pay dividends, as evidenced by a 1-0 victory over Laos, with Nazirrudin scoring the decisive goal.
Brunei’s resurgence can also be traced back to their successful qualification for the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup finals, a feat they achieved by defeating Timor Leste 6-3 on aggregate.
This marked only the second time in history that Brunei reached the finals of the prestigious tournament.
However, the tournament itself proved a tough challenge, as the Wasps were outclassed by the likes of Cambodia and the Philippines, highlighting the significant gap in quality between Brunei and the region’s stronger teams.
Nonetheless, there were positives to take away, particularly from Brunei’s participation in the newly launched FIFA International Series.
Designed to provide lower-ranked nations with more opportunities to compete against each other, the series allowed Brunei to face teams they wouldn’t usually encounter in major tournaments.
While they suffered a 2-0 loss to Bermuda, they bounced back in spectacular fashion, securing a historic 3-2 win against Vanuatu. This victory marked the first time Brunei had defeated a non-AFC team, a milestone that sparked a remarkable unbeaten run.
As international fixtures resumed, Brunei secured two consecutive wins against Sri Lanka, with team captain Azwan Ali Rahman finding the back of the net in both matches. These results represented another slice of history for the Wasps, as it was the first time they had recorded three successive victories, with two clean sheets to boot.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the coaching role – at the time, interim manager Rui Capela, also employed by DPMM FC, refused to commit to the position – the Wasps continued their upward trajectory.
Their crowning achievement came with qualification for the final round of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, courtesy of their comprehensive victory over Macau.
Now, under the leadership of interim head coach Jamie McAllister, the Wasps are preparing for what promises to be a busy 2025. Their ambitious goal is to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia in 2027, a dream that just a few years ago might have seemed far-fetched but now feels within reach.
The road ahead, however, is long. Before they can focus on Asian Cup glory, Brunei must first tackle the rebranded ASEAN Championship, where they will once again face familiar rivals, Timor Leste. With McAllister likely to remain in charge, the national team will look to recreate the magic of their previous triumphs, including their historic qualification two years ago.
On a personal level, team captain Azwan Ali Rahman will be aiming to etch his name into the record books. Currently tied with Shahrazen Said as the country’s all-time leading goal-scorer, Azwan will be keen to surpass his compatriot and claim the title for himself.
As the Wasps look ahead to a future brimming with potential, one thing is clear: Brunei football is no longer a story of despair, but one of determination and resurgence.
With a united team and passionate fanbase behind them, the national squad is poised to reach new heights, leaving behind the scars of the past as they chase glory on the international stage. – Fadhil Yunus
