Brunei football player Faiq Jefri Bolkiah returned to competitive football after a year-long layoff due to injury after appearing for Ratchaburi FC in a 4-1 win over Rayong FC in the Thai League 1 recently.
The Brunei Darussalam international was introduced in the 84th minute as a substitute replacing Pedro Tanausu, ending a long-term injury spell which cost him to miss the rest of last season and the first half of this season.
He last featured for the Thai league outfit during a 1-0 win against Police Tero in February 17 last year.
The 26-year-old’s comeback was also unnoticed by the club, which posted a tribute video on its official Facebook page accompanied by a heartwarming greeting: ‘Welcome back, Faiq.’
The simple but thoughtful caption was also followed by an orange heart and dragon emoji symbolising the club’s traditional colours and logo.
The post has stirred an overwhelming response among the club’s faithful with several fans showing their delight on his much-awaited return.
The player also posted a short clip on his Instagram account with the caption reading ‘Almost one year since my injury. Feels great to be back out there.’
Faiq, who joined the Dragons in June 2023, has been lined up for a return after being named in the bench against Lamphun Warrior FC on February 1.
Despite being an unused substitute, he was in Ratchaburi FC’s Head Coach Worrawoot Srimaka’s plans in the next game against Nakhon Ratchasima.
While his availability in the team suggested nearing a return to playing, the services of the former Arsenal and Chelsea youth player was not needed during the game.
But, his long wait was finally over as he made his first appearance of the season against Rayong and helped his side to fifth in the table.
He also came on as a substitute in his most recent appearance during a 1-0 win against Rayong in the Thai League Cup, with the Dragons progressing into the last eight of the competition.
The former Brunei captain first enjoyed a taste of a professional career in 2022 after representing Chonburi FC in the Thai top flight, where he scored twice and made numerous assists.
Faiq’s debut appearance for the Sharks cemented his place in the record books as the first Bruneian to play in an overseas top league division. – Fadhil Yunus
