BY Fadhil Yunus

Brunei Darussalam’s under-17 football team suffered one of their heaviest defeats in their history after they were handed a 14-0 drubbing by Uzbekistan in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers at the JAR Stadium in Tashkent on Wednesday.

The result marked a fourth consecutive defeat this year – third by a double-digit margin – since their return to competitive international football amid recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Young Wasps had previously endured back-to-back 10-0 losses to Timor Leste and Laos during the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Under-16 Boys’ Championship in Indonesia.

Brunei got off to the worst possible start when Uzbekistan stormed into a two-goal lead through Ozodbek Uktamov and Amirbek Saidov inside the opening 10 minutes.

The early setback provided a preview of the Uzbekistanis’ attacking onslaught for head coach Admirulrizal Arbi’s young charges under the floodlights of the Tashkent-based stadium, as team captain Lazizbek Mirzaev netted twice.

Forward Abdulkhamid Turgunboev opened his account in the tournament before Mirzaev completed his hat-trick a minute later.

Dilshod Abdullaev bundled home from close range before Shodiyor Shodiboev closed the first half with a goal in the 44th minute.

It was a case of damage control when the second half ensued but the Young White Wolves were back in the mood as Ollabergan Karimov slotted home with much of the goal to aim for.

The Uzbekis reached double digits with nine minutes remaining as the unmarked Turgunboev coolly struck a low finish after latching an assist from substitute Zikrillokhon Mukhtorov.

It was a perfect team move orchestrated by the influential Uktamov whose lofted ball into the box key to unlocking the Brunei defence.

Kuvonchbek Abraev tapped the ball home as Zikrillokhon contributed with another assist in a classic wing play after evading the attentions of a Bruneian defender.

The 12th goal was a product made from the bench as Zikrillokhon slammed the ball into the roof after meeting a pass whipped ferociously by fellow substitute Behruz Ismatov.

Azizbek Tulkunbekov drilled a fine low finish from the edge of the box before Turgunboev completed his hat-trick in stoppage time, with Zikrillokhon registering another assist.

Following the withdrawal of Sri Lanka before the start of Group ‘J’ matches, Brunei under-17 team are scheduled to end their group stage against South Korea this Sunday.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin