Muara Vella players in nat'l teams

SIX Muara Vella FC players have done the club proud they have been chosen to represent the Sultanate in two regional tournaments in the coming months.

The first to leave will be on Tuesday, part of the squad for the Asian Schools Under-18 Football Tournament.

Then five of their players will fly off to Thailand for the Under-12 edition of the Asean Schools Football Tournament later this year.

The news was revealed by coach Muhammad Hj Tunjang after Muara Vella held a breaking of fast gathering at Asma Hotel in Jerudong yesterday.

Attended by club committees, players and their families, the guest of honour at the ceremony was the club's vice-president, Pg Hj Mohd Ariff Pg Maharaja Anakanda Pg Hj Ahmad.

"Muara Vella is not simply a football club. In the month of Ramadhan we are holding at least three activities to nurture the spirit of community building among our players," said coach Muhammad Hj Tunjang.

"Last week we had a cemetery clean-up activity while today's (Saturday) event is to show our appreciation to the players that will be leaving for competitions abroad," added Muhammad.

Brunei's 1999 Malaysia Cup winners Liew Chuan Fue and Hj Md Rosanan Abdullah Samak, who were also present yesterday, will be leading the youngsters to the U-18 competition in South Korea.

Having coached the team since mid-February, ex-national team captain Liew shifted training hours to after the daily terawih prayers to accommodate the fasting month of Ramadhan to get the team in tip-top shape.

The U-12 team who are leaving for Thailand in November will be carrying the national flag under the Co-Curriculum Education Department.

Next in line for Muara Vella is to hold a similar ceremony for it's Under-16 players.

The 'Red Giants of Brunei' lost 5-2 on aggregate against eventual champions Projek Ikan Pusu (PIP) in the semi-finals of the Under-16 National Football League in March.

In this year's edition of the Under-14 National Football League, Muara Vella are once again one of the favourites to lift the cup.

One of the clubs praised by the Football Federation of Brunei Darussalam (FFBD) secretariat Johari Hj Bungsu for having a proper grassroots programme, Muara Vella ended the group stage at the top of Group B.

They advanced to the next round with a four-match undefeated streak. The only dent to their record was perhaps the 3-3 draw against second-place Sports School, with whom they are levelled with on 10 points.

Yet due to their better goal difference (24 goals) compared to 11 for the Sports School, Muara Vella are sitting pretty at the summit.

Defending champions PIP finished at the top of Group A and will battle Sports School in the semi-finals.

Muara Vella will first have to take down Tutong Co-curriculum Department football scheme (JPKK Tutong) for a replay of last year's final.

In the inaugural season, Muara Vella advanced with a 3-1 win on aggregate against JPKK Tutong.

Billed as the clash of the titans, PIP emerged victorious in the final with a 2-0 scoreline to take home the silverware at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.

The defeated finalists will resume training on Sept 20 and with the league set to resume on Oct 1, no doubt Muhammad will do his utmost to prevent history from repeating itself.The Brunei Times