BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (7 March 2012) – Hosts Brunei created history when they edged 2007 runners-up Myanmar 3-2 to carve their place in the final of the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy 2012 which will be played out in two days at the Hasannal Bolkiah Stadium.
What made the win over Myanmar in the semi-final more significant was the fact that the hosts had to come back from a goal down off a 31st minute strike from Mai Ah Naing for the win.
Following the 1-0 advantage to Myanmar in the first half, the Sultanate side was quick to find the equalizer when Mohd Nurikhwan Othman slotted home in the 56th minute. The hosts then took the lead for the first time in the game when Mohd Azwan Ali Rahman scored four minutes later.
And in front of more than 25,000 fans, Brunei showed their dominance with the third goal of the game off striker Adi Said in the 79th minute. And while Myanmar did pull a goal back off a converted penalty towards the tail end of the game, there was no denying Brunei the celebration and their place in the final.
In the meantime Indonesia, the 2002 inaugural champions, blanked out Vietnam 2-0 in the first semi-final that was played earlier.
Against the speedy Vietnamese, the Indonesian side was more patient before scoring the first goal of the game in the 36th minute off Miko Ardiyanto before captain Andik Vermansyah then made it 2-0 with a second strike late in the second half.
Pix courtesy of Hj Mohd Taha Hj Mohd Tahir
