Jerudong FC have a mission: From 4th to 3rd

A BREAKTHROUGH into the Top Three is Jerudong FC's main target for the 2011 DST Group Brunei Premier League (BPL) I."For two consecutive seasons we had to settle for fourth. This time we want to finish in the Top Three," said Jerudong FC head coach Julkifli Hj Hitam, during the team's training session at Jerudong Primary School football field on Wednesday.Jerudong FC wrapped up the 2009/10 season with 29 points to sit at fourth of 10 teams, 13 points adrift of third place AM Gunners FC.The head coach believes this season could be the right time to achieve the target, taking into account the 'ban' on import players which has yet to be confirmed by organisers the Football Federation of Brunei Darussalam (FFBD)."It (the ban) will have no effect on us and it will definitely level the playing field. Viban (Francis Bayong of QAF FC) had always been the gamechanger, scoring the late goals,"said Julkifli, who started off as Jerudong FC's assistant coach in 2001 before taking charge in 2005.In both their BPL I matches against QAF FC last season, Cameroonian Bayong was instrumental in Jerudong FC's losses. He netted both goals in Jerudong FC's 2-1 loss in their first encounter of the season, before nodding the winner (3-2) in stoppage time over 10-man Jerudong FC as a substitute.However, Jerudong FC have another problem at hand, struggling in a race against time to regain match fitness and get the team together. Like other clubs competing in the BPL, Jerudong FC started training late because there was no news of the league until the FFBD officially made the announcement on Jan 28."Actually we were already playing in friendlies a month after Hari Raya to prepare for the league. We kept waiting for the news (on the league) but it never came up, so eventually we stopped playing for a while. It was hard to arrange training that way because we didn't want the players to get bored from waiting, so we had quite a late start," said the head coach.But, Jerudong FC were given a boost recently, when they were invited to compete in the Four Corners Tournament organised by Brunei Youth Team (BYT).The tournament is to help teams prepare for the BPL I kick-off on March 8.Cited by Julkifli to be their biggest preparation to date, Jerudong FC fell 2-1 against the hosts in their first test at the Berakas Sports Complex on Friday. Nonetheless, the head coach was not too fazed by the defeat against BYT, who fielded three former DPMM FC players that will lace up for the BPL II side throughout the duration of the competition."We took the opportunity to field all the players in the match and, to be fair, we had around six good chances. It just showed that we were made to pay for having started training late. We need to focus on improving our stamina and chemistry," said the head coach.They will continue the fight against Brunei Shell FT at Brunei Shell Recreation Club today, before rounding up the group-stage against the Royal Brunei Armed Forces' Sports Council at Penanjong Camp, Tutong, on Sunday.Julkifli also stated that six players will be promoted from the Under-16 scheme to lace up for Jerudong FC this season.He added that two players might also make it into the first eleven, though he refused to mention any names.The U-16 scheme is one of Jerudong FC's initiatives to give youth the opportunity to focus on sports rather than anti-social activities.Schemes for Under-10, Under-12 and Under-14 are also available. Those interested to participate in the schemes can contact Jerudong FC manager Hj Kharul Azmi Hj Lakat (8666631).The Brunei Times

FOUR Team Tornament

JFC, MS ABDB, Brunei Youth, anf BSFT will be joining the four team tournament which will be held on 11th Feb 2011. So guys, be prepared.