Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Brunei won their first international game in over three years after holding on for a 1-0 win over Laos in their Tri-Nations friendly game on Tuesday.
Naziruddin Ismail's goal in the first half separated the two sides at the Balapan Track & Field in Berakas.
The Wasps' last win was a 2-1 victory over Mongolia on June 11, 2019 during the World Cup qualifiers.
The hosts saw more of the ball in the early going and came close to the opener just 12 minutes in.
Azizi Ali Rahman rose highest for a header only to see it go just wide.
Brunei broke the deadlock in the 26th minute after Azizi blocked Laos goalkeeper Phounin Xayyasone's clearance.
The ball then fell for Naziruddin to fire past the Laos custodian.
Azizi then dispossessed Anantaza Siphonghan five minutes later before unleashing a long range effort.
However, Phounin was to his equal to claim the ball.
Laos were on the ascendency in the last 10 minutes of the opening half.
The Brunei backline stood their ground and Haimie Anal Nyaring had a good game to thwart every effort on goal.
Laos went in chase for an equaliser right from the start of the second half.
The Wasps were not helped by giving the ball away cheaply several times.
The visitors almost levelled in the 65th minute after Chony Wenspaserth cut back only for Bounphachan Bounkong to blast it over.
Brunei could have added a second late in the game after Hakeme Said laid off the ball for Md Nur Asyraffahmi Norsamri but he powered it just wide.
It didn't matter in the end as the Wasps successfully held on to the delight of the home fans.
