BY Fadhil Yunus

Indera SC continued their search for a second Brunei FA Cup title following a hard-fought 2-1 win over IKLS-MB5 FC in the first leg of the round of 16 match at the Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD) Artificial Football Field last weekend.

The 2018 winners led at the break through a Muhammad Azim Hamidon’s double but IKLS halved the deficit after Zool Hasbemi Haji Bahmin netted three minutes from time.

Three teams continued to flex their muscles in the competition after enjoying routs in their respective matches.

Kota Ranger FC, who won when the competition was last held in 2019, thrashed Rimba Star FC 8-1 while DPMM FC hammered Jerudong FC 15-0 at the Jerudong Park Mini Stadium.

Kasuka FC, widely tipped as favourites to win the major trophy, humbled Almerez FA 9-0.

Kota Ranger FC’s import Abiodun Fatai Babatunde scored a hat-trick while Muhamad Faturrahman Embran netted a brace.

Muhammad Hafis Haji Mahari, Awangku Shad Maymoun Pengiran Jaafar and Imam Mahdi Suhaimi were also on the score-sheet.

Rimba’s Muhammad Khalil Haji Ahmad Kamil scored a mere consolation and prevented Kasuka from keeping a clean sheet.

It was a family affair in DPMM FC’s double-digit win as Muhammad Shahrazen Said bagged five goals and his younger sibling Hakeme Yazid putting four past the hapless Jerudong FC backline.

Brothers Muhammad Azwan Ali Rahman and Abdul Azizi Ali Rahman were also in the score-sheet, with a brace by Azwan Salleh and strikes from Hanif Hamir and Mohd Najib bin Haji Tarif adding gloss to the win.

Elsewhere at the Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex, Kasuka’s Mohammad Alinur Rashimy Awang Haji Jufri grabbed a hat-trick.

Adi Said and Muhammad Haziq Kasyful Azim Mohammad Hasimulabdillah both netted a brace, while the other goals came from Leon Sullivan Taylor and Awangku Mohammad Idzzaham Aleshahmezan Pengiran Metali.

Meanwhile, record Brunei FA Cup winners MS ABDB edged newcomers AKSE Bersatu 1-0 through a solitary strike from Muhammad Saiful Ammar bin Haji Adis.

Panchor Murai FC have a lead to protect heading into the second leg after they emerged 3-1 winners over Hawa FC in an enterprising clash at the Berakas Sports Complex.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin