Myanmar break Brunei’s hearts

Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh 

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

BRUNEI were knocked out of the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) following their 1-0 defeat to Myanmar at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas last night.

It was heartbreak for the national side, who only needed a point to qualify for the semifinals, after a first half goal from Zin Min Tun separated both sides.

The victory helped Myanmar finish top of group A with seven points ahead of second-placed Timor Leste, who are on four points, while Brunei ended their campaign in third place recording three points after one win and two losses.

Head coach Mario Rivera Campesino made several changes from the side that beat Thailand with Mohd Azim Izamuddin Hj Suhaimi starting in the midfield partnering Mohd Ikmal Damit.

Naziruddin Hj Ismail who scored Brunei's first goal in the competition was a notable omission, meanwhile, midfielders Salleh Abu Emzah, Amin Sisa and defender Faezuddin Mohd Haris, who featured in the previous game, were also missing in the starting lineup.

The hosts started off strong with Razimie Ramlli dispossessing Myanmar's defender off the ball to allow Faiq Bolkiah through inside the penalty box but Tan Htike Zin was quick to cut him off and clear ball of danger.

Soe Lwin Lwin was a constant threat throughout the night causing problems for the Brunei defence down the left flank.

Brunei's duo of Martin Haddy Khaliliddien and Ammar Syafie Hassanuddin also struggled to contain striker Aung Kaung Mann.

Lwin Lwin kept a loose ball alive from the line with his blistering pace to set Zin Min Run for a free header that went just inches wide but Brunei replied just minutes later with a counter attack.

Faiq set Razimie through one-on-one with goalkeeper Phone Thitsar Min but the Myanmar custodian bravely came off his line to clear the ball away to safety.

Lwin Lwin gave the home side their first scare in the match when he set an inch perfect cross for Kaung Mann to head home past Ishyra Asmin Jabidi but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Muhammad Abdul Syakir had been left woefully exposed on the left flank on the play with Myanmar exploiting the area, raking in dangerous crosses everytime.

The defending champions were finally rewarded in the 34th minute when Min Tun was the first to pounce on the rebound slamming the ball home from close range following a thunderous shot by Kaung Mann from outside the box.

Faiq went very close to equalising a few minutes after the restart when Nur Ashraffahmi Nor Samri hoisted the ball onto his path for a perfect half volley, but his effort went straight into goalkeeper Thitsar Min's arms.

Nur Ashraffahmi was brought in at the start of the second-half to replace Mohd Ikhmal who appeared to have suffered a knock leaving Brunei with no anchor in the middle of the park.

Midfield duo Muhammad Azim Izamuddin and Hariz Herman were completely overrun by their Myanmar counterparts and at times completely devoid of any responsibility, or even any interest in taking any.

Hariz was removed at the hour mark coming off for Naziruddin meanwhile Muhammad Azim was replaced by Faezuddin later in the game.

Faiq, who was arguably Brunei's best player on the night, was trying to inspire a comeback with the help of Razimie, but the forwards became too isolated upfront as the build up from midfield was too disconnected to put Myanmar under any serious threat.

Myanmar were moving the ball comfortably for the remaining minutes of the match while Brunei were getting frustrated for not being able to string their passes together enroute to their exit.

The other match saw Singapore lose 1-0 to Cambodia at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex.

The result means that Singapore still top the group on a superior goal difference with Cambodia advancing as runners-up at the expense of Laos.