December 1999 is likely still remembered by many, especially diehard fans of Brunei’s national football team, The Wasps (Tebuan), as a historic moment for the Sultanate’s football scene. It was then that they won their first silverware, bringing the prestigious Malaysia Cup home to Brunei.
The players’ names from that memorable final are etched in many hearts, especially Rosli Liman, who scored both goals.
The teamwork and fighting spirit of players such as Haji Rosaidi, Fadlin bin Galawat, Awangku Sallehuddin, Rosanan bin Samak, Zaini Tumih, Said Abdullah and goalkeeper Ibrahim Bakar were crucial to their triumph, embodying the soul of the team.
Equally cherished are import players Brian Bothwell and Akapo, who remain dearly held in the hearts of Bruneians for their contributions to the unforgettable victory.
Countless fans journeyed all the way to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, their voices blending into the roar of the 30,000-strong crowd at Merdeka Stadium that fateful year, passionately cheering and bolstering the team’s spirit – even though these players had long since moved abroad to advance their careers.
THE LIVES WE’VE TOUCHED
After more than two decades, I had the pleasure of reuniting with Brian – now known as Mohammed Brian Iman Abdullah Bothwell – during the recent Battle of the Legends at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, where former stars of Malaysia’s national football team squared off against our own legendary players from the Sultanate.
Brian, an old friend I met through mutual acquaintances, has grown so much over the years, yet nothing much has changed. He remained the humble, shy person that I knew, now touched with a gentle wisdom.
Before he returned for Perth we shared a thoughtful breakfast and Brian, always gracious, engaged fully in our dialogue, conscious of the deep respect his legacy commands here.
Our talk was not just a catch-up between old friends but a tender reminiscence of Brunei’s golden era in football, a time we both held dear. Brian described his return to Brunei as a homecoming, having first arrived in the Sultanate in 1995 and spending a significant part of his life here.
He spoke warmly of the people, whose kindness humbled him and expressed a heartening gratitude for the impact his team has had on the local community.
“It brings back such good memories of my life here. Getting off the plane at 1am in the morning and heading for a teh tarik along Jalan Muara on my first visit to Brunei in ’95 is one I will not forget.
“Little did I know what was to follow in the years ahead. And you wish those days never ended. It’s like another lifetime. Good memories.”
Upon arriving in Brunei, he was deeply moved by the number of fans who still remembered him, especially on match nights when fans approached him for selfies, jersey signatures and autographs.
Brian recounted a touching moment from the recent matches where a close friend brought their three children to the national stadium for the first time, all avid football fans.
The eldest was so moved that he couldn’t hold back tears when they had to leave before the match concluded.
“When you’re away from Brunei, you’re just a regular person living in Australia or Europe.
But upon returning here, you realise you’ve impacted people’s lives during those times.
“You feel their appreciation and happiness, which in turn makes you feel happy and humble. It’s a feeling of being truly loved by all the people, and I’m glad we’ve touched them in a certain way. It’s heartwarming to experience that love through football.”
BAND OF BROTHERS
Central to the glory of being a Wasp was the camaraderie and deep bonds formed between teammates. Regardless of the outcome – win, lose, or draw – these connections remained unwavering, forged through sacrifice and a shared commitment to the team’s success.
For the Scottish-born athlete, he never considered himself an import player when he arrived in Brunei; it was a term unfamiliar to him. Brian approached every player as a teammate, leading by example and pushing them to their limits.
“I was obsessed with winning, and being a team sport, I needed their help to reach my goal. They understood that I was a completely different person off the field compared to when I was playing.”
Recalling a memory from the night of the Malaysian Cup final in 1999, Brian remembered the management asking them to choose a hotel for the match. Brian and his teammates however opted for their usual accommodations.
“During our travels with the team, we stayed in some very average hotels and we just got on with it. Never a complaint.”
While there may have been some added athletes’ superstition at play, the veteran shared how they believed that any change would disrupt their chances of winning.
The final in ’99 remains deeply etched in Brian’s memory as one of his most cherished moments as a Wasp and throughout his career as one of Brunei’s top footballers.
“My relationship with the local players was quite unique, given my broken Malay and their limited English. Despite the language barrier, we shared many heartfelt laughs during our time together.
“You experienced so many emotions during those years. You’d go somewhere, get beaten, and then have to get up and take a flight back or return to the hotels. All the time spent together at the hotels, when you lose, everyone is depressed, and when you win, everyone celebrates.”
Through all these moments, one thing was abundantly clear: they all shared the same unwavering goal for Brunei football.
A MOMENT TO REMEMBER
“That ‘99 final was my last game in Brunei for a while as the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) stopped all foreigners playing in the league.
“I can see how years after the ‘99 cup win must have been tough for the youngsters coming through as so many of the veterans had retired. Their guidance would have been helpful during those transition years.”
Transitioning from a professional footballer to the real world has been challenging, Brian reflected. He recalled the incomparable feeling of adrenaline that comes with playing the game you love in front of thousands. However, he always knew this chapter would eventually close.
Brian expressed pride in his generation of football players for their determination and commitment, which transformed them from so-called “whipping boys” into a team no Malaysian state team could defeat.
“I was so happy for the boys that went through that period of having no success then to actually be playing in that final in ‘99. It was the last game for a few of them but what a way to end your career on such a high creating history for your country,” he said. – Lyna Mohammad
