Brunei Darussalam's men national team produced a gargantuan effort but succumbed to a 3-0 defeat to Hong Kong on the second day of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Hockey World League Round 1 at Sengkang Hockey Stadium in Singapore.

The best chance for the Bruneians fell during a counterattack as Abdoel Razali initiated the swift move with a great pass for Yudy Manaf who outsmarted a rival before applying the final pass to Mohammad Morshidi Yusop.

Brunei Darussalam could not be any unluckier after Morshidi missed the target by inches with the goalkeeper already accepting the inevitable which was a certain goal.

The miss from Mohammad Morshidi was perhaps attributed by a lack of experience with most of the players competing for the first time at a major tournament, according to Brunei national coach Shaiful Azli bin Abdul Rahman Brunei national coach Shaiful Azli Abdul Rahman felt his brave charges did not deserve to be beaten 3-0 adding that there was little difference between both teams.

Even though he admitted they were beaten by the better team, he was proud of his charges who have shown they are moving forward despite little to show for.

"I am very satisfied with the performances both men's and women's and from what I've seen today there is a potential to progress forward," Shaiful Azli said in an interview with the Bulletin after the match.

The ladies' national team fell to a 7-0 defeat in a repeat of the Bangkok tournament last December but Shaiful Azli felt there were positives to take from the defeat.

Shaiful Azli also shared that a few main players in the ladies' game were plagued by injuries though it could have probably be little consequence to stop the Thai onslaught in full fitness.

Despite the huge defeat, Shaiful Azli noted the positive showing compared to their last outing in the Women Asia Challenge Trophy in Bangkok, Thailand last December.

"In Bangkok we were constantly defending and we cannot come out of the 25-yard area. But now after the game they can come out from the 25-yard area and enjoyed a few attacks," he concluded.

The national coach has not specified any targets for the qualifying tournament but he believes their performances suggested the potential to perform well in next year's Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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