BY Fadhil Yunus

Projek Ikan Pusu (PIP) ‘A’ emerged champions of the Under-12 Grassroots Football League Championship, jointly organised by Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD) and Brunei-Muara District Football Association (PBDBM), after defeating Wasan ‘B’ in penalties at the FABD Artificial Football Field on Sunday.

PIP ‘A’ took a much-deserved lead as reward for their bombardment of attacks especially through the flanks, but Wasan replied through a spectacular strike to end the first half firmly in the balance.

Neither side could muster a winner in the second half as the dreaded penalty shootout ensued.

Wasan blinked with two missed spot-kicks with the PIP goalkeeper hailed as a hero.

Earlier, PIP ‘B’ secured third place after finally breaking down the resistance of their opponents in the third place placing match.

Meanwhile, PIP ‘A’ player Mohd Shaqeel Qays Wafri bin Mohd Suhardi was awarded an individual accolade in recognition for his stellar performance.

PIP ‘A’ Head Coach Muhammad Adi Shahirol Izzat bin Haji Omar said, “The under-12 tournament is a good platform for PIP players to develop. We like to develop them from the grassroots.”

He continued, “When they get older, they will know what to do when they come through the national team.

The coach expressed satisfaction on the performance of his players and vowed to challenge his team more, adding that, “it is not all about winning but it is about development and keeping possession”.

“For my team, they were very good; they know when to pass, they know when to hold and they know where to run. We can see an improvement.”

Muhammad Adi Shahirol said the team was established some five years ago, previously coached by his father Haji Omar bin Haji Jamil.

“We always start to develop the players three to five years before bringing them to tournaments,” he added.

Ten teams divided into five groups participated in the tournament including MSN, Panchor Murai, Parma, COT JPKK and Angkasa FT.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin