Brunei, who were participating in the competition for the fist time, went ahead through Basanta Gurung’s header in the sixth minute while Santosh Shrestha double Brunei’s lead four minutes later. Brunei’s two-goal cushion barely lasted for 12 minutes as Bony brought SYC back into the game in 22nd minute and Pius levelled the scores four minutes later. Henry put SYC ahead two minutes before the half-hour mark while second-half goals from Dipesh Shrestha and Tanka Lama completed a remarkable SYC comeback.

Gurung put Brunei ahead after heading home Kiran Rai’s long ball in the sixth minute. Santosh doubled the Brunei lead slotting in Bishnu Thapa cross into the net in the 10th minute. Brunei celebrations were cut short, however, when Bonny’s powerful strike from inside the area flew into the net leaving Brunei custodian Min Raj Tamang helpless in the 22nd minute. SYC levelled the score when Pius slammed home Henry’s through ball four minutes later.

SYC dominated Brunei as Henry put SYC ahead for the first time in the game when he ended his powerful run into the box coolly guiding the ball past Brunei goalkeeper Tamang two minutes before the half-hour mark. Dipesh doubled SYC’s lead after converting Jagajeet Shrestha’s 15 minutes after the interval while Tanka Lama completed the scoring as his venomous strike from close range went through the gloves of Tamang in the 85th minute.

SYC coach Pradeep Nepal praised his side’s brilliant comeback and urged them to play with the same intensity in their quarter-final clash against Machhindra Football Club. “We made a poor start but dominated the game after scoring our first goal. This is a good start for us and I hope that the players can carry the momentum into the quarter-finals,” said Pradeep Nepal.