Just to set the record straight ...
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Q: You ended the 2006/07 season as MSL's joint top scorer tied with Perak's Keita Mandjou at 21 goals. However, the second goal you scored in DPMM's 4-1 win over Melaka Telekom on Jan 10 was wrongly awarded to Ito Dan. That goal would have made you the season's top scorer with 22 goals. Can you explain what happened that night?
A: I was in the box when I received a cross from Hardi Bujang. I was at the near post, but I headed the ball past the goalkeeper to the far post. I ran to the left to celebrate, but Ito was at the far post on the right and the cameraman saw him celebrating and thought that he scored. It was my goal, even the stadium announcer said so.
I didn't think much about it until the next match in Penang when I was told that I only had one goal to my name (in the previous match). I talked to the management and asked them to approach the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and look at the referee's report, but it was to no use.
That goal would have made me the top scorer, which would have been a great honour for me and the people of Brunei.
Q: Have you received your Golden Boot yet?
A: No, I haven't actually. I heard that Mandjou got his though, so I am anxious to find out what happened to mine. There is also some prize money involved, though the award is more important to me because it will always serve as a precious reminder of my achievement.
DPMM FC are also supposed to get some cash for finishing the season third, but we have yet to hear from the FAM about it.
Q: On a Radio Television Brunei show called 'Go Go Brunei' last Friday, a caller asked if you would be rewarded by the Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (Bafa) or DPMM since you finished the season as joint top-scorer. In response assistant coach Pg Serfuddin Pg Salleh said that you shouldn't be given a reward as you are still young and being rewarded might get to your head or affect your motivation. Do you agree with his opinion?
A: No, I don't. I have worked hard to become the MSL's top scorer and I didn't get here by luck. If any party were to give me a present or an award, I do not think it will make me lose my motivation or jeopardise my career. Instead, I think it will convince me that my hard work has paid off and it will only encourage me to train harder. A coach's job is to always motivate his players and that comment did not help.
Q: What are you doing now that the team are not training during the off-season?
A: I spend a lot of time with my wife and son and I try to keep fit by playing futsal which is useful because it helps maintain my stamina. I hear that DPMM will be going to Italy to compete in friendlies, but that is only planned for after Hari Raya.
Q: How does playing futsal help a footballer?
A: Futsal involves a lot of skill and close control, and it can help develop your stamina as you are constantly running unlike in football. It also teaches you how to move off the ball, helps improve your short passing and numerous other things.
A lot of professional footballers started by playing futsal, with (Brazil and Barcelona star) Ronaldinho being a good example. In my opinion if you want to play football, it is better if you learn how to play futsal first.
Q: Have you always been interested in futsal and what do you think about the state of futsal in the country?
A: Not really ... in fact the first time I played futsal was in 2005 when I was chosen to represent Brunei in the Asean Futsal Championships in Thailand. I told the coach I didn't have any experience playing futsal, but once I got on the court I found out that I got used to it pretty quickly and I started to have fun.
There are a lot of talented futsal players in the country, but the main problem is the lack of exposure. There are also not enough futsal courts in Brunei.
Q: You were part of the national Under-21 team that participated in the 2005 Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy for Asean Youth Football Championship. This year's competition in March was the third time in as many attempts that Brunei had failed to progress past the second round. What do you attribute this to?
A: Firstly, they trained for only two months, which is definitely not enough. The group of core players from the inaugural tournament in 2002 did not return in 2005 and the same is to be said of the 2005 players who didn't return this year. Bafa should form specific teams for specific age-groups or competitions ... this way the Under-21 team would be constantly replenished with new talent, which rises from the other age-group teams.
Q: What about the Department of Youth and Sports? Are they doing enough to help develop football in the country?
A: They are doing a good job of providing venues and organising competitions, but their development scheme has a long way to go. I used to play under this development scheme and training was irregular. My brother is under the same scheme now and he tells me the same thing. They need to train frequently and keep the team together. They should also organise more matches to help players gain more experience and exposure.
Q: During your travels across Malaysia playing in the Malaysian Premier League and then in the Malaysian Super League, which fans do you think are the best? Also, what is your favourite stadium?
A: I like the fans in Perak because they are a merry bunch who never fail to fill the stadium. They also like to play drums and other instruments during games and they will do everything they can to encourage their players. I hope Brunei fans will be like that someday.
As for my favourite stadium, I have always liked playing in the Shah Alam Stadium because of its size as well as the good pitch and first class facilities.
Q: As a striker it is important to be able to break down a team's defence. What goes through your head during a one-on-one situation with an opposing defender or goalkeeper?
A: I always feel the pressure, of course. You need a plan before you try to go past your opponent and for me I like to use my pace during a one-on-one situation. I am always happy when I get past a player, but the job is not done until I score and that is the next thing on my mind after I dribble past an opposing player.
Q: What is your long-term objective as a footballer?
A: My dream has always been to play in Europe, especially in the English Premier League. I would jump at the chance to go to a training academy at one of the top clubs in England and since I am a Manchester United fan that would be my first choice. But, of course, I know how difficult it is to play in Europe. Apart from the physical difference, there are a lot of other differences such as the players' fitness, stamina and mentality which have to be looked at. Even if a club from a lower division wanted to give me a chance I would grab it. I don't care where it is, as long as it is in Europe.
Q: Is there anything you would like to add?
A: I would like to thank the chairman of DPMM FC, His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Mutadee Billah, for providing us with all that we need to practise and train. He shows that he really cares about the club by coming to our training sessions everyday and I dedicate my Golden Boot award to His Royal Highness. The Brunei Times
A: I was in the box when I received a cross from Hardi Bujang. I was at the near post, but I headed the ball past the goalkeeper to the far post. I ran to the left to celebrate, but Ito was at the far post on the right and the cameraman saw him celebrating and thought that he scored. It was my goal, even the stadium announcer said so.
I didn't think much about it until the next match in Penang when I was told that I only had one goal to my name (in the previous match). I talked to the management and asked them to approach the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and look at the referee's report, but it was to no use.
That goal would have made me the top scorer, which would have been a great honour for me and the people of Brunei.
Q: Have you received your Golden Boot yet?
A: No, I haven't actually. I heard that Mandjou got his though, so I am anxious to find out what happened to mine. There is also some prize money involved, though the award is more important to me because it will always serve as a precious reminder of my achievement.
DPMM FC are also supposed to get some cash for finishing the season third, but we have yet to hear from the FAM about it.
Q: On a Radio Television Brunei show called 'Go Go Brunei' last Friday, a caller asked if you would be rewarded by the Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (Bafa) or DPMM since you finished the season as joint top-scorer. In response assistant coach Pg Serfuddin Pg Salleh said that you shouldn't be given a reward as you are still young and being rewarded might get to your head or affect your motivation. Do you agree with his opinion?
A: No, I don't. I have worked hard to become the MSL's top scorer and I didn't get here by luck. If any party were to give me a present or an award, I do not think it will make me lose my motivation or jeopardise my career. Instead, I think it will convince me that my hard work has paid off and it will only encourage me to train harder. A coach's job is to always motivate his players and that comment did not help.
Q: What are you doing now that the team are not training during the off-season?
A: I spend a lot of time with my wife and son and I try to keep fit by playing futsal which is useful because it helps maintain my stamina. I hear that DPMM will be going to Italy to compete in friendlies, but that is only planned for after Hari Raya.
Q: How does playing futsal help a footballer?
A: Futsal involves a lot of skill and close control, and it can help develop your stamina as you are constantly running unlike in football. It also teaches you how to move off the ball, helps improve your short passing and numerous other things.
A lot of professional footballers started by playing futsal, with (Brazil and Barcelona star) Ronaldinho being a good example. In my opinion if you want to play football, it is better if you learn how to play futsal first.
Q: Have you always been interested in futsal and what do you think about the state of futsal in the country?
A: Not really ... in fact the first time I played futsal was in 2005 when I was chosen to represent Brunei in the Asean Futsal Championships in Thailand. I told the coach I didn't have any experience playing futsal, but once I got on the court I found out that I got used to it pretty quickly and I started to have fun.
There are a lot of talented futsal players in the country, but the main problem is the lack of exposure. There are also not enough futsal courts in Brunei.
Q: You were part of the national Under-21 team that participated in the 2005 Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy for Asean Youth Football Championship. This year's competition in March was the third time in as many attempts that Brunei had failed to progress past the second round. What do you attribute this to?
A: Firstly, they trained for only two months, which is definitely not enough. The group of core players from the inaugural tournament in 2002 did not return in 2005 and the same is to be said of the 2005 players who didn't return this year. Bafa should form specific teams for specific age-groups or competitions ... this way the Under-21 team would be constantly replenished with new talent, which rises from the other age-group teams.
Q: What about the Department of Youth and Sports? Are they doing enough to help develop football in the country?
A: They are doing a good job of providing venues and organising competitions, but their development scheme has a long way to go. I used to play under this development scheme and training was irregular. My brother is under the same scheme now and he tells me the same thing. They need to train frequently and keep the team together. They should also organise more matches to help players gain more experience and exposure.
Q: During your travels across Malaysia playing in the Malaysian Premier League and then in the Malaysian Super League, which fans do you think are the best? Also, what is your favourite stadium?
A: I like the fans in Perak because they are a merry bunch who never fail to fill the stadium. They also like to play drums and other instruments during games and they will do everything they can to encourage their players. I hope Brunei fans will be like that someday.
As for my favourite stadium, I have always liked playing in the Shah Alam Stadium because of its size as well as the good pitch and first class facilities.
Q: As a striker it is important to be able to break down a team's defence. What goes through your head during a one-on-one situation with an opposing defender or goalkeeper?
A: I always feel the pressure, of course. You need a plan before you try to go past your opponent and for me I like to use my pace during a one-on-one situation. I am always happy when I get past a player, but the job is not done until I score and that is the next thing on my mind after I dribble past an opposing player.
Q: What is your long-term objective as a footballer?
A: My dream has always been to play in Europe, especially in the English Premier League. I would jump at the chance to go to a training academy at one of the top clubs in England and since I am a Manchester United fan that would be my first choice. But, of course, I know how difficult it is to play in Europe. Apart from the physical difference, there are a lot of other differences such as the players' fitness, stamina and mentality which have to be looked at. Even if a club from a lower division wanted to give me a chance I would grab it. I don't care where it is, as long as it is in Europe.
Q: Is there anything you would like to add?
A: I would like to thank the chairman of DPMM FC, His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Mutadee Billah, for providing us with all that we need to practise and train. He shows that he really cares about the club by coming to our training sessions everyday and I dedicate my Golden Boot award to His Royal Highness. The Brunei Times
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