Kasuka Ar-Rawda seized the top position of the Brunei Elite Futsal League (BEFL) after receiving fierce competition in a 15-goal thriller against Shah United at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex on Sunday.
In what appeared to be an all-time classic, the match between the two opponents’ bursts into life in the opening minute when Iranian import Mohammad Reza Rahmania tore the Shah United goal with a strike.
Shah United equalised in the 13th minute from an import player of their own in Thailand’s Faisol Muso, but four minutes later Mohammad Reza Rahmania went one better to double his individual and team tally before Haji Mohammad Fardi Farhan extended Kasuka’s lead even further.
Mohammad Reza completed his hat-trick in the 22nd minute but the tie was far from over as the fans in attendance were treated to a true futsal spectacle.
The match heated up with the rise of the Shah United players as every touch turned to goal starting with a fine drive from Ridwan Awaebuesa in the 25th minute and two goals from Muhammad Fithrahtul Rahman Ratano in consecutive minutes.
From out of nowhere, Shah United captured the lead as Pengiran Muhd Jamil bin Pengiran Haji Jaludin made it 5-4.
So often Kasuka’s saviour, Mohammad Nor Azizam bin Roslan halted their opponent’s resurgence in the 27th minute, potentially avoiding a late catastrophic episode which could cost ramifications in the table.
Though, Shah United retook the lead through Ridwan Awaebuesa in the 30th minute, there was all to play for both sides to take the all-important victory.
The back-and-forth drama continued as the teams changed leads with Kasuka stepping up through a fourth Mohammad Reza Rahmania’s goal of the night a minute later, with further goals from Abi Syarilizam and Azim Boll Hassan ensuring control of their team.
Despite Faisal Muso pulling one back a minute before time, there was not to be a final twist as Kasuka Ar-Rawda left the court in celebration with an 8-7 victory, potentially drawing a step closer towards retaining the title. – Fadhil Yunus
