PETALING JAYA: Substitute Dalberto Luan scored one goal and set up another as Brunei came from a goal down to beat Negri Sembilan 3-1 in the Super League at the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium in Bandar Seri Begawan on Friday (Oct 30).
The Brazilian striker, 32, replaced Finnish midfielder Felipe Aspegren in the 74th minute and changed the game.
It was Brunei's fourth league win this season.
Australian striker Jordan Murray put the hosts ahead in the 12th minute, but Negri levelled in the 33rd. Striker Luqman Hakim Shamsudin toe-poked the ball from a tight angle past goalkeeper Haimie Nyaring.
The score stayed 1-1 until the 88th minute, when Luan struck a superb 25-metre shot past Negri goalkeeper Azri Ghani. In injury time, Guatemalan winger Oscar Santis finished off a pass from Luan to seal the win.
Brunei coach Jamie McAllister admitted his side were poor before the break.
"In possession, we gave the ball away too cheaply, and then our reaction when we gave it away, we didn't work hard enough to get it back," he said.
He considered making three or four changes at half-time but instead challenged the players.
"I just said to the boys, 'Look, we're better than that.' We've got to show the second half, the next 15 minutes, to play more on the front foot, be more aggressive, control the game a little bit more."
McAllister said his side had played at "60 percent" in the first half and were fortunate to lead.
"We were one-nil up, probably undeservedly."
According to McAllister, Luan had not trained for three days after a calf problem and was used carefully.
"He comes on and scores the second, great assist for the third. Delighted for both, Oscar and Dalberto," McAllister said.
"The group deserve it."
Negri coach Daniel Gimenez was left disappointed.
"The feeling is... It's very bad, it's sad," he said.
He felt his side were the better team in the first half but were punished after the break.
"Brunei changed some players and they really changed the game.
Negri have won only once this season and Gimenez said the league had been tougher than he had expected.
"You can keep the possession, you can play nice football, but then you don't score, you lose."
He appealed for fans to stay behind the team. "In the bad moments is when we really need the fans, the people around."
