BY Fadhil Yunus

The senior national football team were able to learn from the quality of football demonstrated by their opposition at the continental level following their training camp in Dammam, Saudi Arabia recently.

Brunei Darussalam national head coach Rosanan Samak shared lessons that had been learnt following their return to the Sultanate last night.

Earlier this month, he oversaw his charges spar against clubs Al-Qadsiah FC, Ettifaq FC and Galaxy FC in friendly matches. The series of matches also helped the players get much-needed game time.

The head coach said, “One of the lessons that were taken during our trip is the quality of the opposing players in terms of their individual performances. There are many lessons that we can learn well from our experiences in Saudi Arabia.”

He added, “Their playing level is quite high. When we played against them, their level of football at times seems to be more advanced.”

“But it signals progress for us and we slowly adapt to their playing style until our last game.”

Having only resumed international football since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rosanan added that the team played defensively especially in friendly matches against Laos and Malaysia earlier this year.

He further added that their main players were not available during friendly matches against Laos, Malaysia and the Saudi Arabian clubs.

Rosanan, who is also a former Brunei international, also revealed that these key players in question are still in the squad citing unforeseen circumstances behind their absence from international duty.

The head coach believes that his charges will adapt to matches against their regional counterparts specifically in terms of fitness and tactics adding efforts to enhance the understanding and chemistry of players in the immediate future.

Asked on any plans to playing any international friendly matches, Rosanan said that his role is to prepare the national team to play against any teams that are arranged by the relevant members in the Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD).

Rosanan shared the team’s progress since assuming the head coach role earlier this year and took notice on the performances of versatile player Alinur Rashimy Jufri.

“I’m very happy with his game. He was from the under-23 team and he can play in a lot of positions. He can play anywhere,” he said.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin