Fadhil Yunus
The Brunei Darussalam national futsal team began their campaign in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Futsal Championship 2022 with a heavy 13-0 defeat to Thailand at the Huamark Indoor Stadium in Bangkok yesterday.
Thailand player Krit Aransanyalak opened the scoring for the tournament favourites before the hosts doubled the lead after Panut Kittipanuwong capped off a flowing move with a neat finish as his attacking partner was Sarawut Phalaphruek credited with an assist.
Thailand captain Kritsada Wongkaeo powered home past Brunei goalkeeper Muhammad Nabil bin Haji Maidin with a thunderous effort as Aransayalak made a first of many assists.
They found a fourth as Apiwat Chaemcharoen rounded off Muhammad Nabil and slotted home. The fifth goal of the game came via an own goal as the ball misfortunately rebounded off Brunei’s Muhd Abuld Khaaliq after Muhammad Nabil had initially made a save.
The reigning holders added a sixth as Peerapat Kaewwilai brilliantly skipped his marker Awangku Muhd Naqib bin Pengiran Timbang before finding the bottom corner.
The dangerous Thai continued their offensive threat in the restart as Ronnachai Jungwongsuk became the sixth different player in the score-sheet after a neat one-two with the excellent Krit Aransanyalak.
Thailand, whose last outing was a 3-0 victory in a friendly against Iran, found space yet again as the unmarked Kritsada Wongkaeo tapped home a pass from Aransayalak.
The ninth goal came with Muhammad Aiman Amin turning the ball into his own net as he attempted to clear a pass from Thailand forward Atsadawut Jangkot. The tournament record winners moved into double digits as Kaewillai expertly navigated his way past Brunei substitute goalkeeper Awangku Muhammad Asadullah Shafee bin Pengiran Haji Asaduzzaman.
After going the entire half surprisingly without a goal to show for, serial goal-scorer Muhammad Osamanmusa finally got his name in the score-sheet with a quick-fire double late in the match. Brunei’s best opportunity to salvage a consolation goal fell in the final two minutes, but Jumatatul Aleshahrezan Metali scuffed his shot wide.
Instead, Thailand’s captain Kritsada completed his hat-trick with just before the end of the match.
The result put Thailand top of Group ‘A’ by goal difference with three points followed by Malaysia who survived a brave display from Cambodia with a 7-6 win.
Brunei will continue their campaign against Indonesia tomorrow.
