BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (26 Sept 2012) – Brunei’s recent optimism were served with a dose of reality tonight when they were overwhelmed 5-0 by Indonesia in a friendly that was played at the Hassanl Bolkiah Stadium.
The Sultanate side who were swayed to form a team based on their Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy winning side, could not find the answer against the squad led by Nil Maizar as striker Irfan Bachdim nailed his first international hat-trick.
Irfan opened account on 25 minute off a penalty as Indonesia then ended the first half 2-0 up off a strike from Vendry Mofu just before the break.
Just five minutes into the second half, Irfan then added his second goal of the evening as Hendra Bayauw made it 4-0 in the 63rd minute. Irfan (pix) then completed his hat-trick for Indonesia’s fifth goal on 72 minute to complete the rout.
“They played to instruction and that was important,” said Fabio Oliveira, the assistant coach of Indonesia. “That allowed the team to play out the tactics that has been set.”
While Indonesia are already in the main draw of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012, Brunei will be playing in the qualifying round of the championship in Yangon next month on 5-13 October 2012.
They will be fighting for only two available slots against hosts Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Timor Leste.
