BIBD FT withstood Kilanas FC's barrage of attacks to escape with a point during their DST Group Brunei Premier League II match at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas yesterday.
The match was Kilanas FC's lost after they failed to capitalise on their numerous chances and in the end had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate.
Shaiful Mohammad salvaged a point for BIBD FT with a miraculous goal early in the second half after Kilanas FC's Kurmin Hj Bini's effort left them in the backfoot.
Enjoying most of the possession early in the match, the forward gave Kilanas FC a well-deserved lead when he beat the defence and shot past BIBD FT goalkeeper Ak Ahmad Fitri Pg Hj Momin in the 22nd minute.
Kilanas FC's Md Ehsan Hj Moksin had two chances to widen the lead against their opponents but both his shots went wide.
BIBD FT replied with skipper Shaiful wrongfooting Kilanas FC defender Md Nazirul Azim Hj Annuar and taking aim at the bottom corner of the near post but goalkeeper Abdul Hafiz Ahmad parried the ball.
Shaiful collected the rebound and played it to Mohd Shukor Hj Abd Ghani who blasted the ball wide.
The last notable action of the first half was when Ak Azwandy Pg Hj Othman delivered a splendid ball into BIBD FT's box from a corner kick but Kilanas FC captain Md Alikhan Hj Md Yakop was unable to direct the ball goalwards.
BIBD FT returned with much vigour after the break and it paid off when they won a corner. Ak Mohd Asrin Pg Hj Mohammadin's kick drifted to the far edge of the box, where Shaiful met the ball with a header that lobbed beyond the Kilanas FC goalkeeper's reach in the 49th minute to level the scoreline.
The goal sparked BIBD FT's charge forward for an end-to-end battle but it was still Kilanas FC that had the better chances.
Kurmin picked up on Md Khairul Hj Abd Halim's over-the-head pass to slice through the BIBD FT defence. He passed the ball to Ak Azwandy but the BIBD FT goalkeeper Ak Ahmad Fitri denied him a goal with an excellent save.
Midfielder Md Ehsan led a counter into opponent territory and had BIBD FT defender Amp Md Badaruddin Asri Amp Hj Said beaten to freely rifle the ball goalwards. Yet Ak Ahmad Fitri came to BIBD FT's rescue again when he managed to put a hand to the ball to keep his side in the game.
Then Mohd Saidy Hj Abd Rahman and Kilanas FC goalkeeper Abdul Hafiz collided when attempting to intercept Md Salihen Suhaimi's cross from the left flank. Substitute Ak Md Fakhrul Hibatullah Pg Hamzah buried the loose ball into the back of Kilanas FC's net but the goal was ruled out as the linesman had his flag up.
Meanwhile substitute Ak Mohd Sukri Pg Hj Jaluddin wasted two golden opportunities to give Kilanas FC the advantage late in the match.
First, the 24-year-old missed the gaping goalmouth from pointblank after Zulhilmy Majid provided the opportunity. The second time was when BIBD FT goalkeeper Ak Ahmad Fitri fumbled the ball while attempting to save Md Razi Hj Tamit's tame freekick. Ak Mohd Sukri latched onto the ball but the shot was well off-course.
