Kilanas FC's Muhammad U'zaiz Zaini (L) tackles QAF FC captain Riwandi Wahit in their DST Super League match at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas last season. BT file
QAF FC are ready to face Jerudong FC in tonight's DST Super League opener at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex at 8pm.
"We are ready for the match tomorrow (tonight)," said QAF FC manager Rahim Hj Daud in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.
"All the players are looking forward to this tournament (and) this is going to be very interesting as all teams have improved over the year," he added.
QAF will once again be skippered by their captain Riwandi Hj Abd Wahit, a seasoned player for the club who is also a former national striker.
One of the most gifted players in the league, Riwandi can also play in any positions at the back four.
His direction and organisational abilities in the heart of the defence should be able to cancel out any threat that Jerudong players might pose.
Twin brothers Hardi Bujang and Mardi Mirza Bujang Abdullah are also going to be instrumental in securing a win for QAF FC tonight as they have been a very important part of the squad over the past few years.
"All key players are available for this match and we also added a number of new players too for this season," continued Rahim.
"I am looking for another great season, and I hope that we will be able to do much better than last season," he added.
Finishing fourth last season with 16 points, only six points behind champions Indera Sports Club, QAF should be enough to intimidate any team in the national elite league.
But Jerudong are not ones to back down so easily - evident by the fact they were the only team in the bottom-half of the league to record a positive goal difference last season.
"Most of the players are retained from last season, with some addition of new young players," said Jerudong manager Hj Md Jalaluddin Hj Ghazali yesterday.
"We have been preparing for the tournament over the past few weeks and we organised some friendly matches to sort out the squad and get their fitness ready for the tournament," he added.
A win against QAF would be a dream start for Jerudong as they are aiming for a top-three finish this year - and Hj Md Jalaluddin is confident that his men can pull off an upset.
"Of course QAF are always going to be the favourites to win, but we have got a very good squad too - so we'll see," he added.
This season's DST Super League will see 10 teams; MS ABDB, Indera, Royal Brunei Police Forces Sports Council (MS PDB), QAF FC, Majra United, Kilanas FC, Jerudong, Wijaya FC, Najip FC and Liang Lumut Recreational Club (LLRC) FC fighting for top honours.
The action will continue on Saturday with Majra going up against Kilanas.
