The first team line-up last night. Image courtesy of Fazizul Haqimie.

Close but no cigar. Brunei was pretty close. Well, result based yes but performance wise, Brunei still have more rooms for improvement. As Mike Wong, interim head coach of Brunei Darussalam, said that Brunei need more international matches even friendly ones. Last night Brunei failed to capitalize on their home soil advantage as they went down to Chinese Taipei 2-0 and lost out on aggregate 2-1. Brunei Darussalam initially had a slim away lead after winning 1-0 in Chinese Taipei, giving our country a much needed hope to qualify for the next round of the qualifying group stage for the World Cup 2018.

Brunei Darussalam started pretty well and it was the influence of Ak Fakharazzi that create Brunei earlier chances. But Brunei’s shape changed and their performance dipped as a whole when he was taken off early in the game due to a back injury. Brunei’s attacking force was then depleted with Azwan Ali not being featured due to injury as well. It was a performance below average from Brunei and let this be a good lesson for Brunei and also NFABD that more international matches would have benefited the team’s performance.

Chinese Taipei were more composed of the two teams and they didn’t seem troubled by the huge turnout (more than 10,000 spectators). They played a possession game and controlled the match in different patches and looked more solid as a team whereas Brunei struggled to get 5 to 6 passes together. The visitors could have bagged in more goals if it wasn’t for the heroics of Wardun Yussof in goal. He kept the scoreline more respectable and he did the best he could for the team.

Mike Wong didn’t want to fault his players individually and he was happy with the team as a whole with the short given time to gel as a unit. He shared how Chinese Taipei were more experienced and they had more matches and hence looked more composed than Brunei. The bright point for the two performances from Brunei is that the head coach saw the level increased from the team as compared to five years ago. He advised that Brunei should move forward and see the development in the next six months for the national team and sought for long term goals.

Chinese Taipei head coach Chen Kuei-Jen looked happier during the press conference and he was confident that his team can beat Brunei at their own soil ground. He was disappointed that his team couldn’t muster any goals despite dominating in the first leg. He wasn’t surprised when Brunei opted for a defensive approach to shield Brunei’s one goal lead. On a good note, he was impressed with Brunei’s progress in the football scene and it was his first taste of what Brunei is capable of.

Goals by Wang Ruei and Turkish born Chun En-Le sealed the victory for the visitors while Brunei will have to wait till 2019 for another opportunity for a pre-World Cup qualifying spot. Nonetheless it was a great experience for Brunei national team and also the spectators. We are still 100% behind you.

Adi Said couldn’t make an impact last night. Image courtesy of Fazizul Haqimie.

A minor scuffle. Image courtesy of Fazizul Haqimie.

Brunei Darussalam vs Chinese Taipei. Image courtesy of Fazizul Haqimie.

Brunei Darussalam vs Chinese Taipei. Image courtesy of Fazizul Haqimie.

I saw my friends from a distance

Players not happy with a referee decision

Wardun kicking a souvenir ball to a spectator after the final whistle

Hello my friend 😀

Chinese Taipei head coach lifted by his players. Image courtesy of Fazizul Haqimie.

Chinese Taipei head coach in jubilant mood during the post match interview

Mike Wong, interim head coach, wished for more friendly international matches for more experience