BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, January 10, 2011
A STUNNER by Indera Azam was all it took for Kota Junior to lift the Hj Awang Hj Ali 5-a-side Futsal Challenge Trophy at the Multipurpose Hall of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas last night.
Tasked against Pega Star in the final, Indera Azam fired a rocket shot from beyond the half court that escaped the Pega Star goalkeeper's hands and landed into the net.
The solitary goal in the first half was to be Pega Star's downfall, unable to break Kota Junior's watertight defence in search of the equaliser. The team eventually succumbed to a 1-0 loss.
For his winning feat, Indera Azam was named Best Player of the tournament. Meanwhile teammate Shaheman Hj Sulaiman took home the Best Goalkeeper award.
The champions netted a prize money of $1,000.
"The match was okay. The players were able to perform as I wanted them to so it was good," said Kota Junior manager Steven Yeo.
Defeated finalists Pega Star will look at the match as a learning experience after the sole mistake was all it took to concede the challenge trophy having been undefeated throughout the two-day tournament.
"It was just one mistake. The match was balanced from start to finish. Unfortunately, luck was just not on our side," said Pega Star coach Nordin Tujoh. They were awarded $800 for reaching the final.
Third place went to Shah United and Red Butterfly captured fourth place. The teams were handed $300 and $200 respectively.
Guest of honour Hj Awang Hj Ali, the executive chairman of Belait Shipping Company, was present to award the winners last night.
A total of 48 teams took part in the second edition of the competition which kicked off on Jan 2.
Besides being an annual activity of the company, the tournament was held to give future district and national young talented players an opportunity to show their skills.The Brunei Times
(Above) A Kota Junior player (R) holds a Pega Star player off the ball during the Hj Awang Hj Ali 5-a-side Futsal Championship final at the Multipurpose Hall of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas last night. Kota Junior won the match 1-0. (Top) The Hj Awang Hj Ali 5-a-side futsal championship trophy winners Kota Junior at the Multipurpose Hall of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas last night. Pictures: BT/ Amir Amin
