Wasps win but World Cup qualifying campaign comes to an end

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Pictures: Infofoto

BRUNEI were sent packing from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers despite winning 2-1 against Mongolia in the second leg of their first round encounter last night - bowing out 3-2 on aggregate.

Razimie Ramlli scored a first half brace for the Wasps before Mongolia captain Norjmoo Tsedenbal put away a penalty early after the interval to send his country through to the next round.

Brunei needed an early goal to set the tone and got exactly that just five minutes into the game in front of the 17,210 crowd at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.

Goalkeeper Saikhanchuluun had failed to deal with Shahrazen Said’s freekick allowing Razimie to fire home on the turn from inside the six-yard box.

Muhammad Nur Asyraffahmi tried one from outside the box three minutes later only to watch it go inches wide of the right post.

Razimie got at the end of another Shahrazen freekick in the 16^th minute but couldn’t trouble the Mongolian custodian.

The hosts continued to pour forward and Adi Said had back-to-back attempts go just over.

The Wasps tied the game on aggregate in the 34^th minute after Saikhanchuluun spilled Adi’s freekick for Razimie to pounce on the rebound.

Brunei seemed to have taken the lead moments later after Mongolian defender Turbat Daginaa had put the ball into his own net. But celebrations were shortlived with the the linesman flagging Razimie for offside.

Mongolia had an opportunity just before halftime after breaking away on the counterattack but Helmi Zambin sprinted back to ensure he blocked Baljinyam Batbold’s shot.

Things took a turn for Brunei after the visitors were awarded a penalty with the referee judging Hanif Hamir to have fouled Narmandakh Artag inside the box.

Tsedenbal then made no mistake from 12 yards out despite Brunei shotstopper Haimie Anak Nyaring going the right way.

Ariunbold Batsaikhan, who came on at half time in place of Saikhanchuluun in between the Mongolia sticks, was kept busy having to push the ball wide in the 66^th minute and having to keep out Adi’s attempt two minutes later.

He came to the rescue of Mongolia again after going full stretch to keep out Adi’s freekick into the top corner four minutes from time.

Mongolia almost added icing on the cake but Naranbold Nyam-Osor could only put his shot wide just before the final whistle.