Asri pulled out a top-drawer performance to give Kroniz a share of the spoils in their Friday afternoon clash with the RBAirF Squadron One at SM PAP Masna Soccer Field, as the two teams settled for a 1-1 draw.
The result ended the Kroniz’ dismal run against the army side, who had beaten them in the last game 0-5 but found Kroniz harder to overcome this time around.
RBAirF striker gave the lead in the second half with a strike two minutes after the break, before Kroniz equalized in the dying seconds through Asri to capture a point.
The match kicked off in a slow, almost casual fashion, as both teams steadily settled into the tempo of the game. A pass from Azreen along the left flank then saw the latter running down the wing before crossing the ball to Asri, who missed the connection before goalkeeper RBAirF came out quickly to collect for safety.
A freekick was awarded to Kroniz taken by Zainal at the 15 minute which was headed on target, however just missed a few inches off target.
At the other end of the field, it was RBAirF who came close to scoring when their striker received at the edge of the box and tried to put the ball towards goal, but it was deflected for a corner instead.
Both sides put on an encouraging show of positive, passing football, but it was not until the latter part of the first half that the action was gradually brought up to a simmer.
Gnoh popped up at the other end in the 25th minute, and he managed to meet Asri corner with a powerful header that on most days might have led to a goal.
At the other end, Pg Zulkarnean responded by brilliantly tipping the effort over the bar to prevent the RBAirF from taking the lead.
It was to be the first of his Man-of-the-Match-winning saves, and his teammates did not disappoint his effort as two minutes later, Aliuddin beat the offside flag to reach Kucang’s cross from the other flank.
Trying to shoot from a tight angle, Aliuddin was unlucky to hit a RBAirF defender, and the ball was subsequently cleared for a corner.
The game continued with both sides attempting to break the deadlock. Pg Suffian passed the ball backwards to Alinordi, who curled it to Zainal and shoot fly high over the crossbar.
A miscued clearance by Jamri then gave RBAirF the opportunity to sneak in a shot, but Pg zulkarnean was up to the task again as he comfortably pushed and collected the ball.
RBAirF kicked off the second period with their characteristic short and crisp passes, and they managed to score two minutes after the restart.
Up stepped RBAirF defender to float the ball to a RBAirF striker, who pressured Shafie a kroniz defender into making a mistake and easily converted from close range leaving Kroniz keeper stranded in no man land.
Gnoh cut back to Pg Asmalee inside the penalty box, having snatched a poor clearance by RBAirF defender and tried to make amends by chasing after Pg Ariffin, only for the latter to fall.
It seemed like a plausible penalty situation; however, the referee wave it off for simulation to the disbelieve of Pg Ariffin. The furious and unhappy Pg Ariffin complained to the referee that according to FIFA rule it was a penalty, however the referee dismiss it because he didn't bring the rule book and Brunei has been de-registered as a member of FIFA.
Gnoh cut past two defenders to get in front of the net in the 42nd minute, but with only RBAirF keeper to beat, he shot directly at the latter.
RBAirF almost double the lead, but the long-range attempt was way off target.
Pg Asmalee was next to try from a tight angle on the right, and saw his effort go just past the crossbar.
RBAirF striker blasted from out of the box six minutes from time, which Kroniz number three custodian Pg Zulkarnean duly pushed away.
There was no such mistake at the other end, following a cross at the right edge of the box, Asri nicely controlled the ball and tapped it in with the slightest effort to the surprise of RBAirF goalkeeper in the dying seconds.
Despite the heroic last minute equalizer, Kroniz assistant team manager Pg Ariffin believed his team should have fared better.
“We did not play well enough. We could have kept the ball better,” he said of his team’s performance on the day.
“Kroniz pressed very well, they had more possession and clear chances. They have started to gel now after the last defeat. It was a good tactical game today.
“We were not happy with the lost in the last game. We thought we could get a win today but we knew it was going to be difficult.”
Jamri, a kroniz defender too did not seem happy to earn only a point from the game.
“We prepared an attacking side but it did not really work out as much as we had prepared,” he revealed after complaining about the restaurant where the post-mortem was held.
“The whole game was not that good. We had time to prepare after the last game, but it did not really work out to what we planned today.
“If we had won today it would be a morale boost for the players as they can move forward and do better from now on, but since we just drew maybe we have to work harder” added Pg Suffian who ordered Nasi Bryani Kambing during the post mortem.
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