Fadhil Yunus
Brunei Darussalam winger Faiq Jefri Bolkiah (pic right) came off the bench to help Chonburi FC close in the match in a 3-2 victory against Port FC in the Hilux Revo Thai League 1 at the Chonburi Stadium last weekend.
The national forward made a fourth league appearance since joining the Thai outfit during the transfer window last December when he replaced Chitsanupong Choti in the 86th minute.
Since making a move from CS Maritimo in Portugal, Faiq has made an immediate impact after registering two assists and was named man of the match during the previous league clash against Khon Kaen United.
The Brunei international contributed with two important passes and nearly registered a third assist in as many matches when he attempted a cross to striker Yoo Byung-soo.
However, Khon Kaen United goalkeeper Yotsapon Teangdar made a point blank save to deny the in-form South Korean from another headed goal.
Faiq, who made history as the first Bruneian to play in the Thai professional league, will set his sights on a league meeting against Chiangrai United next at the Leo Chiangrai Stadium in Chiangrai, Thailand on February 6.
The 23-year-old told the club’s website, “I’m happy with Chonburi. The goal is to help the Sharks to win every game.”
He concluded, “As for the adjustment to life in Thailand, I like Thailand very much and the Thai people are very friendly to me. My real goal is to help Chonburi win every game as much as I can.”
A quick-fire double from Yoo Byung-soo put the hosts in control of the tie before setting up Dennis Murillo for the winner to lift the Sharks to second place in the league table.
The visitors had earlier clawed their way back into the game following second-half goals from Nurul Sriyankem and Phillip Roller.
Meanwhile, former DPMM FC defender Charlie Clough was sent off for the first time in Nakhon Ratchasima colours during a 3-2 defeat against Prachuap FC at the 80th Anniversary Stadium.
The defender was initially showed a yellow card for his challenge on Patrick Reichelt but the referee upgraded it to a red following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check.
The game ended with 10 men in each side after Chinnawat Wongchai was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence deep into stoppage time at the end of the second half.
