Brunei Darussalam national football team ushered a new era under the tutelage of newly-appointed head coach Vinícius Eutrópio with a 11-0 defeat by Russia in an international friendly match at the Krasnodar Stadium in Krasnodar, Russia last Thursday.
The friendly match, which marks Vinicius’ first match in charge, represents a significant moment in the national team’s history following their first meeting against a Europe-based opponent.
For Russia, it is their biggest-ever victory in their history, surpassing a 9-0 win against San Marino which was achieved during the European qualifiers in 2019.
The Wasps, who gained much-needed experience against quality European opposition, sensed the inevitable of an onslaught as Ivan Oblyakov netted in the opening minute from close proximity.
The midfielder started the move with a pass to unlock the defence as Andrei Mostovoi made a cutback into the middle before the former poked the ball home.
The home side demonstrated pace and precision in the build-up to the second goal after Mostovoi released an inch-perfect pass to enable Danil Krugovoi a clear passage who made an overlapping run to set up a cross.
Unfortunately for Brunei, Nurikhwan Othman could only stick a foot on the ball towards goal with some power as his side went further behind in the seventh minute.
In what proved to be a tough test against the one-time European winners, Evgenii Morozov struck the third goal for the trigger-friendly Russians after a loose ball was unable to be cleared from a corner.
The beleaguered visitors managed to keep their far superior opponent – ranked 34th in the world – on bay for 19 minutes as they shut down a flurry of attacks.
However, their nightmare continued as a beaming Oblyakov made it 4-0 with the clock yet to hit the half-hour mark.
The Bruneians’ backline were ripped apart as Nikita Krivtsov sprayed an incisive pass to Krugovoi who then subsequently found Fedor Chalov.
Chalov cleverly set up Mostovoi who returned the favour with the former in a better scoring position before the PAOK forward struck against the crossbar.
With the Bruneian defence attempting in vain to stop Chalov, it freed up space for Oblyakov who had a simple task of heading the ball home from close range.
Just three minutes after the break, the home side continued where they left off as Lechi Sadulayev, who was introduced in the second half, buried his header home.
It was another team goal that called for appreciation as Mostovoi picked off Krugovoi who was running down the channel and losing his marker with ease.
The CSKA Moscow defender made a perfectly timed cross as Sadulayev picked his spot to beat Brunei stand-in goalkeeper Jefri Ishak.
While it has been painful to watch the national players spectating the brilliance of their opponents, Brunei’s Syafiq Safiuddin Abdul Shariff left the field requiring a stretcher due to a suspected injury.
Sadulayev was again involved as he expertly navigated his way past the Bruneian defence following a back-heel by Mostovoi before teeing up Krivstsov who then aimed the ball low into the net.
Russia captain Aleksandr Chernikov played a pass that beat the offside trap and substitute Tamerlan Musayev rifled the ball high into the net leaving Brunei goalkeeper Jefri no chance.
The productive Mostovoi scored a much-deserved goal in the 67th minute as he powered home a stunning effort from the edge of the box via a deflection.
It was a captain’s goal for Chernikov as he planted his header on the near post, equaling their record with the biggest win.
Brunei finally registered their first shot on target in the 73rd minute as Hakeme’s ambitious drive from the halfway line forced Russia to substitute goalkeeper Stanislav Agkatsev to tip the ball for a corner.
Nevertheless, Russia made it double digits leaving substitute Aleksey Batrakov the honours of completing the biggest win record with a fine finish to the bottom corner on his debut in the 79th minute.
The hosts compounded Brunei’s misery as another substitute Arsen Adamov slotted his downward header with Krugovoi credited with an assist. – FADHIL YUNUS
