Brunei Darussalam’s national football team will enter the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against heavy favourites Indonesia at a worst possible form after they were handed a 10-0 defeat by Hong Kong in a friendly match at the Hong Kong Stadium on Monday.
The previous occasion when the senior team lost by double-digits was in April 2001 when they were romped 12-0 by the United Arab Emirates during a FIFA World Cup qualifier at home at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.
After they were convincingly beaten by Malaysia Super League outfit Sabah FC on home soil last Wednesday, it was perhaps best that the home fans were spared first hand on witnessing the team’s showing in what was a first meeting in the international scene in 38 years.
The latest setback represents a cause of concern especially when their Southeast Asian neighbours enjoyed positive results in their international friendlies including Malaysia holding much-fancied China – who are ranked 56 places above them – to a 1-1 draw.
Hong Kong – who are a spot ahead of Indonesia in the FIFA rankings – stormed ahead in the 12th minute after Everton Camargo curled home a fine finish following good service from Michael Udebuluzor.
The hosts intensified the heat as Tan Chun Lok fired a fierce low shot from outside the box after being set up by Yue Tze Nam in the 20th minute, before veteran player Helio opened his international account in his 31st appearance with a firm header four minutes before the break.
Fernando, one of the naturalised players in the squad, joined fellow Brazil-born teammates Helio and Camargo on the scoresheet with a superb strike into the roof of the net following wonderful play by the excellent Michael Udebuluzor.
It seemed that every attacker wanted a piece of the action as Wong Wai converted from close range with Everton providing the assist, before the latter himself bagged a brace having easily skipped past a Brunei marker.
Of all the players that crowded the Brunei’s box, Philip Chan Siu-kwan appeared to show the most interest as he connected a teammate’s cross with a fine header.
The Tai Po midfielder got his second of the game after finding the far corner having accepted Sun Ming Him’s cross into the box.
After being introduced as a substitute, Poon Pui-hin applied an instinctive finish which was made possible after his teammate showed workhorse traits running up the flanks and outmuscling the defence.
The Kitchee forward ensured his side hit double digits three minutes from time connecting from a delivery from fellow substitute Ju Yingzhi. – Fadhil Yunus
