Akmal hits winner for NBT FC in NBT Challenge
By Alex How

The Youth and Sports Director, Awg Japar bin Bangkol (L), presents a souvenir to a representative from a participating team in the NBT Challenge Trophy football tournament

NBT FC defeated JBS 3-2 in the thrilling opener at the 3rd NBT Challenge Trophy football tournament yesterday. The match took place at the JBS Complex in Berakas.

Mohd Nor Akmal Hayat bin Ahmad knocked in the winner at the 70th minute after JBS failed to clear the freekick from Md Aimaduddin bin Hj Ibrahim. The ball eventually fell to Nor Akmal and he wasted no time to shoot the ball in, via the left post and a leg of a JBS defender.

Arman bin Hj Serudin who opened the account for JBS in the 10th minute, slotting the ball past the NBT custodian after a fine through ball from Zulkifli bin Mohammad sliced open the opponents' defence. But NBT regained their composure, and equalised in the 23rd minute off a bizzare own-goal by JBS keeper Hamzah bin Hj Mohiddin.

A shot from NBT's Sairol bin Sahari got deflected off a JBS defender and bounced towards Hamzah, who attempted to clear the ball but only managed to put it into his own net. NBT went further ahead two minutes later when Mustafa Saibu Danpullo headed in a corner from the talismanic Sairol.

JBS began the second period with all guns blazing as they looked for the equaliser, and succeeded in tying the game on the hour. And a quarter after restart, JBS equalised the game. The game seemed destined for a draw until the Nor Akmal 70th minute winner.

Launching the competition was the Youth and Sports Director, Awg Japar bin Bangkol. Also present at the proceeding yesterday were the NBT (Brunei) Sdn Bhd managing director Ninan Chacko and the BAFA secretary general Pengiran Haji Matusin Pg Hj Matasan.

The competition continues tomorrow, with RBC playing Damit Worley and NBT XI meeting Jabatan Pentadbiran KHEU in the afternoon games, and the match-up between QAF FC and IDBB, and the DST Group-RBA encounter in the evening programme.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin