MinDef And MoH Fight To A 2-2 Draw

MinDef's goalie Pg Hamzah Pg Hj Abd Rahman shows some impressive hard work in the match against MoH yesterday

Bandar Seri Begawan - Arima Marali's 90th minute equaliser for the Ministry of Defence denied the Ministry of Health a dream start in the 'Piala Keputeraan' Football championship 2011 when the match ended 2-2 at the Berakas Sports Complex yesterday.

The Ministry of Defence (MinDef) who are one of the favourites to go further in the tournament, however, showed a below par performance in the first half of the game with some frustrated display especially with their finishing upfront.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) did not waste any chances when unmarked Azriel Sabtu made a brilliant short pass to Ak Mohd Sukri Pg Hj Jaludin who then blasted the ball in the 45th minute for a 1-0 lead before the half-time whistle.

Under pressure, MinDet were back in the game in the second half by showing some acceptable teamwork and their efforts paid off seven minutes after the whistle.

MoH's Jeffery Hj Tabit's mistake inside the 18-yard box seemed very costly when his error was taken full advantage by MinDeF's striker Ampuan Rahim Ampuan Sabli to level the score in the 52nd minute.

However, the celebration for MinDef did not last long when MoH's Edi Ruslan Abd Samad headed in his teammate's Mohammad Iqbal Hj Ahad's freekick in the 66th minute to bring his team back into the lead again.

Confident of collecting the first three points in their opening match, MoH were punished few seconds before the final whistle when MinDef's Arima Marali's struck the equaliser in the 90th minute following a fine cross by MinDef's left winger Ak Kamarul Zaman Pg Kamaluddin to earn his team a point from the match. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin