PFA face exit as Bravo 995 cruise

PFA    2-3   Bravo 995 FC

Daniel   Qayyum

PFA bowed out from the tournament as Bravo 995 FC secured their place in the semi-final thanks to a 3-2 victory on a nervy night in BSRC. It was win or bust for Bravo 995, who got off to the fast start and PFA’s defence was oftenly in danger being over-run on the flanks.

PFA knew that a draw would guarantee progression to the last four and the onus was on Bravo 995 to win the match, so they had no choice but to throw more men forward in the early period. Their efforts materialized when they managed to score two early goals which rocked down the confidence of the PFA’s players.

Daniel then gave PFA a lifeline when Ninak picked out him with a deliciously precise through ball and the striker stayed onside, kept his nerve to find a gap between the goalkeeper and the post to fire home 2-1. Momentum is sky high for PFA as they were looking for the second goal immediately.

Jafni was denied a penalty when a flick from Daniel find him through and went down after touching legs with the goalkeeper. There was a definite contact but the referee thought otherwise. Soon after, PFA suffered a heartbreak again when Bravo 995 scored their third goal of the night and it was a mountain to climb for PFA.

Knowing they were likely to need two goals to give them a chance of reaching the last four, PFA made a brighter start to the second half as Duan replaced Fizu. Ali and Saiful were replaced by Nameng and Ipin to add more pace and creativity in the team as the clock ran down. Ninak wasn’t able to complete the match as he was unfit and had been replaced by Jul.

15 minutes from time, the introduction of PFA’s No.7 Bebek lent some urgency to the PFA’s attack, winning a free-kick outside the box leading to the second goal for PFA as Qayyum hammered an unstoppable shot into the net. Bravo 995 FC were losing their discipline and Qayyum was the victim of a crude challenge by the Bravo's fullback who was red-carded soon after.

The opportunity to play against 10-man Bravo was squandered when Jul had to stretched off due to ankle injury and PFA had already used all their subs. The red-card now did not turned out to be on PFA's favour as the game went on 10 against 10 for the final ten minutes.

Qayyum went within inches of putting PFA into semi-final when Bebek’s clever flick set up a chance for Qayyum but his shot grazed the outside of the left-hand post with the goalkeeper beaten. That was agonizingly close and the crowds were shaken by the near-miss. Only two minutes of injury time was quite a bit of surprised from the officials considering how the game went on.

It was too little too late for PFA as the referee blowed the final whistle and Bravo 995 FC booked their semifinal date next week. PFA would like to thank the PBDB’s committee led by Hj Salleh Bostaman for putting such a great efforts to get this tournament running so proficiently.

Last but not least, PFA players would like to express gratitude to PFA Management for giving us the chance to play in this tournament and we are regretful of not paying the tremendous efforts from you guys to reach the semi-final. As we all may know, they have continuously demonstrate commitment and responsibility into the team ever since it was founded.

JJ, Dillah, Aziz, Boy Habs…we are proud of you! Well done!

1st half:

Hj Kaharoul, Saiful, JJ, Alai, David, Ali, Ninak, Jafni, Qayum, Fizu, Daniel

Subs: Aqil, Nameng, Ipin, Jul, Duan, Bebek

2nd half:

Hj Kaharoul, Saiful (Nameng), JJ, Alai, David (Aqil), Ali (Ipin), Ninak (Jul), Jafni, Qayum, Fizu (Duan), Daniel (Bebek)

Subbed out: Saiful, David, Ali, Ninak, Fizu, Daniel

PFA vs Imfera Utd: In Pictures

How PFA can progress into semi

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
Hoist FT	3	2	1	0	7	3	4	9
Bravo 995 FC	2	1	0	1	3	2	1	3
PFA	2	1	0	1	5	4	1	3
Imfera Utd	3	0	1	2	3	9	-6	1

Head-to-Head:

∙ PFA scored more goals than Bravo 995 FC.

∙ PFA conceded more goals than Bravo 995 FC.

∙ Both teams are leveled on points (3 pts).

∙ Both teams are leveled on goal difference (+1).

∙ A winner of PFA vs Bravo 995 FC match will progress into semi-final.

∙ A full-time draw will be decided by the PBDB's commitee on whether should the match continue into extra-time.

PFA pegged back by Hoist

PFA    2-3   Hoist FT

Alfi   Daniel

Hoist’s late goal gave their side 6 points of the tournament and ensured a place in the semi-final leaving PFA needed to win their last game against Bravo 995 in 11 days time. A draw wouldn’t be enough but surely PFA must have what it takes to win their last game to advance.

PFA made just one change from Friday’s 3-1 win against Imfera as Alai started on the left of the back four. The first goal came when a corner kick from Qayyum as he lifted the ball into the box to pick out Alfi, completely ummarked, cooly slotted home.

Hoist’s then managed to equalize as Madeli thought he’d been pushed but the referee waved to play on and they scored. Both teams had chances to score the second in the first period but they head to half-time 1-1.

Daniel then put PFA the lead early in the second half, despite there were few bodies around him, he’s completely on his own and gave the goalkeeper no chance as he blasted home from point-blank range. PFA then were comfortable with the ball and keeping up possession until in what looked like a soft penalty given against PFA.

The referee made up his mind and Hoist’s are leveled again 2-2. PFA then made several changes as some players are starting to tire having to play 2 games in 4 days. The goal blitz had squeezed the contest completely out of shape. With the game heading for a draw, Hoist’s late short range strike gave their side a dramatic come back victory.

 1st half:

Udin, Saiful, JJ, Madeli, Alai, Qayyum, Jafni, Alfi, Ali, Duan, Daniel

Subs: Hj Kaharoul, David, Jul, Bebek, Nameng, Fizu

2nd half:

Udin, Saiful (Nameng), JJ, Madeli, Alai (David), Qayyum (Bebek), Jafni, Ali, Duan (Fizu), Daniel

Subbed out: Saiful, Alai, Qayyum, Duan 

PFA fought back with a 3-1 win

PFA    3-1   Imfera Utd

Alfi   Ali  Ali

PFA began their quest with a 3-1 win against Imfera Utd thanks to goals from Alfi and a brace from Ali. Duan was given an opportunity to stake a claim for a first-team place ahead of Nameng and Bebek. PFA opted to utilize him as a support striker to Daniel.

Things did not seems to go as planned as PFA started the game slowly, unable to keep possession for certain times. Imfera made an immediate impact as they opened the scoring within ten minutes, lashing a stunning shot just outside the box past the helpless PFA goalkeeper.

A shock seemed on the cards but PFA hit back with an exquisite free-kick from Alfi to level the scoreline 1-1. That goal sparked PFA into life as they were much in control with possession afterwards. There were moments of promise from the offensive midfielder Duan as he combined a neat one-two with Daniel, whose strike would surely have gone in had it not been straight at the Imfera goalkeeper.

PFA then started brightly in the second period as they were keeping the ball more often and Ali produced an expert finish with a superb volley to put his side ahead. With 15minutes from time, an incisive perfect through-ball from Daniel presented a wonderful opportunity for Ali to burst forward before slotting past the goalkeeper thus established their two goals cushion.

Impressive PFA’s back four managed to snuff out the rest of Imfera’s attacking attempt to salvage their hopes of getting into game and the referee made the final whistle as the game ended 3-1 win to PFA. PFA's next match will be on Monday, 18/06/2012 against Hoist FT.

1st half:

Udin, Saiful, JJ (C), Madeli, David, Qayyum, Jafni, Alfi, Ali, Duan, Daniel

Subs: Hj Kaharoul, Aqil, Nameng, Fizu, Bebek

2nd half:

Udin, Saiful (Nameng), JJ (C), Madeli, David, Qayyum (Bebek), Jafni, Alfi (Aqil), Duan (Fizu), Daniel

Subbed out: Saiful, Qayyum, Alfi, Duan

p/s: Huge credits and kudos to PFA backroom staff who helped not only their team but to the opponent as an acting medic team. That was a tremendous effort from the boys (Aziz, Dillah, Boy Habs, Boy B). All the preparations for the pre-game was absolutely fantastic!