Leaving Brunei
In the aftermath of Grilled International's promotion, two of their trainees would leave the club on free transfers. Mohd Wardun bin Emran was initially set to accompany his Busy Bees junior Mustafa bin Halim to newly-formed Greek Division Five outfit Tsimpidakiakos F.C., but would eventually jump ship to Czech sixth division champions FK Kelt, after they made a late offer.
FC Kelt had achieved their title feat with only homegrown players, and head coach Antonín Salava admitted that recruiting from outside was something new to him. Mohd Wardun, a day shy of his nineteenth birthday, would be just his fourth signing, after which Salava swooped for the pair of Benjamín Kauza and Modest Dashkovskiy from Italy's Astianatte FC.
A dedicated centreback who had been rejected by the youth sides of the Brunei Bears and Wild Viking II before landing at Grilled International, Mohd Wardun felt that sacrifices had to be made in pursuing a professional career. "It might have been easier on both of us, had I gone with Mustafa to Greece too. But we all have our own roads to walk, at the end."
Mustafa bin Halim wasn't dwelling too much on the change of plans, as the 17 year-old utility man considered his own future. His trainers had noted his inventiveness both in attack and defence, but considered him relatively unpolished. "Had he worked harder and been more decisive about his best role, he'd be in a far better position now." assistant coach Hafiz bin Hj Lamat lamented. "We can only hope that his raw talent will be enough to carry him through."
