Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Muntaqim ibni Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah scored a last-gasp equaliser to help salvage the Brunei Darussalam under-21 national team to a 1-1 draw against KB All Stars FC at the Brunei Shell Recreation Club Football Field in Belait District on Saturday.
The national team attacker pulled out a moment of magic with a sumptuous free-kick two minutes from time after the local club had led the encounter through Mohd Helmi Wafi Suhaimi in the 71st minute. Brunei under-21 national team head coach Aminuddin bin Jumat said, “Overall, the players have shown an improvement in terms of confidence and cooperation in the team.
“However, the players need to work harder to improve their performance to the best level and correct their mistakes.”
He warned, “The fitness level of the players needs to be improved and we need to improve the weaknesses, especially from set-pieces.”
The head coach also reminded all players to show communication among themselves so that cooperation can be formed to achieve the best performance.
“We will continue training to improve the deficiencies in the team and we will hold friendly matches to give exposure to players both in the country and abroad,” he added.
The under-21 national team are expected to compete in the upcoming ASEAN Football Federation in Surabaya, Indonesia in July and the Asian Football Confederation under-20 qualifiers in September.
Football Association of Brunei Darussalam President Haji Feisal bin Haji Eusoff Patail, who just returned from the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok, attended the friendly match. – Fadhil Yunus
