Courtesy: Brunei Direct/The Brunei Times


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by Yee Chun Leong

Sunday, 20 February 2011

Bandar Seri Begawan - Going home with the hardware will not be of utmost importance for DPMM FC Masters as they battle for supremacy in the Telbru & B-Mobile EPL Masters Football Brunei Cup 2011.

Being the first local team to ever feature in the tournament, the Bruneian side have got `bigger' plans in store at the March 11 event, where they will be competing in a round-robin format against Liverpool Masters, Manchester United Masters and EPL All Stars, at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.

The team knows that they are swimming in uncharted waters with all the local players having no prior experience in six-a-side futsal.

"The players we are going to face are football legends! They are of world class standard and all we can do is to make it competitive at least," Hj Zainol Ariffin Hj Jumat told The Brunei Times.

"What is most important is for us to put up a good show including showing sportsmanship and produce good entertainment for the fans and spectators who will be attending," added the coach.

The main difference of six-a-side futsal from five-a-side futsal is that there are no touch lines, only walls. The ball can be played off the wall, resulting in no throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks. A size 5 ball will also be used for the competition.

The team have started training at the end of last month and is coping well going through the drills and set plays.

"We are focusing on our fitness and stamina since everyone knows how to play. We're slowly improving and we're slowly getting use to the rules and regulations of the competition," said Hj Zainol.

According to the former national goalkeeper, fan favourite Mohd Brian Iman Abdullah Bothwell will be lacing up for the local team.

"Brian will only join us on the 9th (March). He's a good player and there should be no problems for him joining the team late since he has played six-a-side futsal before."

"Adjusting to the team shouldn't be a problem as well since he's played with most of the players," he added.

Other names on the nine-man roster include former DPMM FC captain Pg Sallehuddin Pg Hj Damit, former assistant coach and current Indera FC handler Norilham Hj Jais, assistant manager Ali Hj Momin and 1999 Malaysia Cup champion Azmanuddin Hj Gillen. The trio will be joined in midfield by Khairuddin Abdullah.

Defender Shahrul Rizal Abd Rahman, goalkeeper Pg Hamzah Pg Hj Abd Rahman and striker Hj Hassan Hj Damit complete the list.

The team will be managed by ex-DPMM FC team manager Pg Hj Muhd Waslimin PSJ Pg Hj Abd Momin.


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com