BYT force draw
BYT's Abdul Al-Wardy Abdul Hamid (Orange) hustling for the ball against a Kilanas FC player during yesterday's game.Picture: BT/ Raul Padernal
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Denying Kilanas the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table, the striker tapped in from close range after the ever-reliable Kilanas' goalkeeper Abdul Hafiz Ahmad botched a save.
Looking his usual dangerous self all afternoon long, BYT captain Md Azwan Ali Rahman sent in a low cross that caught the entire Kilanas rear-guard napping.
Abdul Hafiz boxed the ball out but only to the feet of Md Nur Ikhmal, who fired home to give BYT a share of the points at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
Instantly running together to celebrate as a group, it was obvious how much the draw which maintained their unbeaten run in the league along with Kilanas meant to BYT.
The side made up of Under-18 players continue to trail Kilanas by two points but Hj Md Rosanan Abdullah Samak was more than encouraged by their performance.
"The boys played well but they just didn't take their chances," said the BYT coach, who saw Md Azwan's first-half penalty saved by Abdul Hafiz.
"As long as they work hard I'm happy, and it was some good football by both sides," added the ex-national player.
Kilanas coach Sidik Eya was surprisingly pleased with the stalemate and felt his men did well to withstand a late offensive salvo by BYT which has been grooming players for the national team since last year.
"They used a 3-5-2 formation in the end and we had to defend," said Sidik.
"I didn't really see the goal but I'm happy with the draw," added the coach, who went on to pick out his goalkeeper for special praise.
Ak Azwandy Pg Hj Othman opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with an exquisitely taken goal, cutting in from the left and nutmegging his defender before unleashing a curler to the right.
BYT almost equalised five minutes later when Abdul Al-Wardy Abdul Hamid sent in a cross to the left. It was expertly headed back across the face of goal by Md Azwan but Abdul Al-Wardy's header produced a fine save point-blank save by Abdul Hafiz.
The shotstopper would continue to enjoy adulations after diving to his right to keep out Md Azwan's penalty in the 40th minute when Md Nazirul Zulhilmi Hj Annuar handled the ball in the area.
Minutes later BYT's Md Safwan Amaluddin beat Izzul Wazzien Osman with a strong run into the box only to see his shot scamper wide of the left post.
It was a much more open game in the second half, with the best chance falling to Syazwan Azizi Hj Md Taib, who evaded defender Md Nur Azees Awang Ali but not Md Ashanudin Hj Md Dani in between the BYT goal who was earning a rare start ahead of Ron Junior Philip.
Md Aminuddin Zakwan Tahir forced Abdul Hafiz to tip the ball over the bar for a corner 15 minutes into the half and Md Ashanudin was called into action moments later when he saved a dipping free-kick from Md Nazirul.
Md Nur Azees' through ball carved open space for Md Nur Ikhmal Othman in the box, but continuing BYT's poor form in front of the goal, he fired wide despite catching Abdul Hafiz out of his line.
Syazwan Azizi should have made it 2-0 mid-way through the half when he stole the ball from a careless Ak Dinnie Hafizan Pg Azman at the edge of the BYT area. However, his shot missed the target much to the dismay of the Kilanas faithful.
As fatigue set in, BYT looked destined to be sentenced for their poor finishing with their first loss of the league.
But invigorated after the goal which launched a shouting war between the two sets of fans BYT embarked on a series of attacks, which unfortunately was too little too late.
BPL II action continues tomorrow with four games held across three districts.
The Brunei Times
No comments:
Post a Comment