The Brunei Easter Games is held annualy in Nottingham by the BruNotts society and is considered to be one of the biggest event amongst Bruneians in the UK. On 22 March 2009, 24 teams competed in the Football tournament, 14 teams in Netball and 32 players in Badminton. BruManch only participated in Football and Netball. Although the day of the tournament started with a hiccup, it ended with a big smile for BruManch. Here is the story for the BruManch Football team.
The BruManch Football Team
Azrul - GK
Zukri - DF
Izzul - DF
Diwas - DF
Kher Wee - FW
Zainal - FW
Mali - FW
Toby - FW
In this tournament, BruManch deployed the square formation which explains why the team does have any wingers. The square formation is one of the most popular and traditional strategic systems in 5 a side with equally strong attack and defense. However, the way BruManch uses this strategy was to defend and counter. Our mentality for the tournament was set to chase down every ball and shoot at every oppurtunity or as the team calls it 'Heart and Soul'. The BruManch team played to their strengths (teamwork, endurance). By giving our opponents no time on the ball, any lack of technical ability from the opposing team will be exposed and punished with a quick counter and overwhelm them.
Group Stage : BruManch vs Football is Dead (Leeds)
BruManch has the reputation of losing their first game at any tournament. Having experienced numerous early defeats at almsot every tournament, nerves were showing on the field. As the game kickoff, BruManch were always second to the ball. The Leeds team had a good striker upfront who had the ability to hold the ball and beat players. Football is Dead revolved around him and he was the key to their play. It was not surprising that the striker caused alot of problems with good individual skill on the flanks and this lead to a few dangerous shots straight to the keeper. With the BruManch mentality to chase down every ball, the team had very little possession. Eventually, the leeds striker received the ball outside the keepers circle, curled the ball pass the defender and surprised the BruManch goalkeeper as the ball whizzed past his left. The goal woke the team up. After the goal, BruManch started to go for the attack. Although messy at times, BruManch surged forward and fought for the ball. A penalty was awarded to BruManch after one of the leeds defender stepped inside the penalty area. It was a gift for BruManch to equalise before halftime. Unfortunately, the penalty was saved by the Leeds keeper as he jumped correctly to his right. The second half started with BruManch once again looking for the equaliser. However, the Leeds team were not sitting back either and tried to push for the second goal. Halfway through the second half, a BruManch defender struck an amazing shot from behind the halfway line, only to be denied by the post. By the time anyone realised it, the game ended. BruManch once again loses the first match of their tournament.
Group Stage : BruManch vs Bernazzz
This game was a must win for BruManch to stand any chance of progressing to the Quarterfinals. Bernazzz are one of the favourites to go through the group stages. Knowing their key players gave us the tactical strategy to close down their defenders who has the ability for long range shot. Besides that, the striker was powerful and the BruManch defenders had to be aware of it. The game started evenly with both sides struggling to have a shot at goal. Both teams were strong defensively and the team were battling it out in midfield. The highlight of the first half came was a wild shot from midfield by BruManch. The shot flew to the right of the Bernazzz goalpost and the keeper jumped to save it. The ball went past the keeper, hit the wall behind him, bounce back towards the jumping keeper and off the keepers back into the goal! A series of fortunate events! BruManch held their lead as the second half start. The second half was no different than the first half and the only highlight from the game was a mistake from the BruManch keeper. The keeper threw a foul ball and the refereee gave Bernazz a freekick just a few inches away from the keepers circle. Fortunately, the freekick was stopped by the wall and the game ended one nil. It was trully a team effort that lead us to a victory in this match, running endlessly throughout the game. With the team's 'Heart and Soul' effort, this was the start of the tournament for BruManch.
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P.S: The editor of the article is also busy with work. Any update to the story happens only whenever the editor is free unless a BruManch team member wants to contribute as well. Please feel free to write up BruManch's remaining games. Also, if the netball team wants to contribute an article about their team, feel free to email it. Thanks! :)
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