His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Deputy Sultan attended the international tier 2 friendly match between the Brunei Darussalam national football team and Sabah FC at the Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex last night. Also in attendance was Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Muntaqim.
The national team fell to a 3-1 loss to Sabah FC in the first of two friendly matches this month.
The Malaysia Super League outfit were awarded a penalty after forward Ramon Machado de Macedo was tripped in the box before converting himself. Sabah had a chance to double the lead five minutes later but midfielder Telmo Ferreira Castanheira could not keep his shot down after reacting to a fine cross by Mohd Rizal Mohd Ghazali.
Brunei had a glimpse of goal after defender Hanif Farhan Azman produced a snapshot from range which just cleared the bar.
But it was the Rhinos who looked dangerous as defender Muhd Firdaus Jafri Chew tested Brunei goalkeeper Haimie Abdullah Nyaring with a free-kick before the subsequent rebound was ruled out for offside.
The visitors nearly paid the price for their naivety in defence following a misplaced pass to home attacker Abdul Azizi Ali Rahman but the Brunei forward swiped his shot wide.
Sabah nearly pulled further ahead but Haimie showed why he is the undisputed Brunei number one after pulling off a fine stop to deny Ramon with a point blank save.
Then, Sabah – who currently sit fourth in the ongoing Malaysia top flight- tried their luck as Miguel Angel Garrido Cifuentes saw his low shot well saved by Haimie. Ramon then tried what would have been an extraordinary strike from an unlikely angle but hit the side-netting. The Brunei goalkeeper kept his side firmly in the game as he kept out a dangerous header by Ramon with a decent save.
The visitors continued their threat in the second half as Muhd Jafri’s attempt brushed against the crossbar. The Wasps got the break they were hoping for as they found the leveller amid joyous scene among the home supporters.
Brunei looked content to play on the counter-attack and it worked with Adi Said getting the better of his marker before the substitute fired a low shot past Sabah custodian Khairol Fahmi Che Mat.
However, Sabah – coached by former Malaysia national head coach Datuk Ong Swim Kee – regained the lead through Muhd Jafri in the minute. The outstanding Haimie, who made way for Isyra Asmin Jabidi, received a warm round of applause from the home crowd.
Sabah took a two-goal cushion after substitute Mohd Sappie Ashri stole an inch from the Brunei defence to guide the ball home following a low cross from a teammate.
The Wasps will next play Hong Kong in an international friendly match at the Hong Kong Stadium in So Kon Po, Hong Kong on September 11.
The national team are currently in the midst of preparations ahead of their two-legged qualifying match against Indonesia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification -Asian Football Confederation (AFC) First Round. – Fadhil Yunus
