Azwan Saleh

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Azwan Saleh

| fullname = Azwan bin Muhamad Saleh

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1988|01|06}}

| birth_place = Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

| currentclub = DPMM FC

| clubnumber = 6

| position = Midfield

| height = {{height|m=1.68}}

| years1 = 2004–2005

| clubs1 = Brunei Shell

| caps1 =

| goals1 =

| years2 = 2005–2006

| clubs2 = QAF

| caps2 =

| goals2 =

| years3 = 2007–

| clubs3 = DPMM

| caps3 = 198+

| goals3 = 12

| years4 = 2010–2011

| clubs4 = → Indera (loan)

| caps4 =

| goals4 =

| nationalyears1 = 2007

| nationalteam1 = Brunei U21

| nationalcaps1 = 3

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2008–2011

| nationalteam2 = Brunei U23

| nationalcaps2 = 4

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 2006–

| nationalteam3 = Brunei

| nationalcaps3 = 36

| nationalgoals3 = 3

| pcupdate = 30 April 2025

| ntupdate = 27 March 2025

| image = Azwan Saleh - 54248281709.jpg

| caption = Azwan with DPMM in 2025

}}

Azwan bin Muhamad Saleh (born 6 January 1988) is a Bruneian professional footballer who plays for DPMM FC as a midfielder.{{cite web |title=Azwan, Shahrazen adjusts to life on the bench|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/sports-national/2014/03/07/azwan-shahrazen-adjusts-life-bench|date=7 March 2014|publisher=The Brunei Times|accessdate=6 April 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50688248/team-owned-by-brunei-crown-prince-splits-cambodia-pre-season-tour|title=Team owned by Brunei Crown Prince splits Cambodia pre-season tour|publisher=Khmer Times|date=7 February 2020|accessdate=10 February 2020}} His patronym is oftentimes erroneously written as Salleh. He is currently the player with the most international appearances for the Brunei national football team with 36 caps.

Club career

Azwan first played club football with Brunei Shell FT of the second division of the Brunei Premier League.{{cite web|title=Bandaran KB Loses Bid To Top In Shell Helix|url=http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/Aug04/070804/nite20.htm|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|date=7 August 2004|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041030103036/http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/Aug04/070804/nite20.htm|archivedate=30 October 2004|accessdate=11 April 2025}}{{cite web|title=DPMM FC Storm Into Quarterfinals|url=http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/Oct05/011005/nite29.htm|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|date=1 October 2005|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061117010537/http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/Oct05/011005/nite29.htm|archivedate=17 November 2006|accessdate=8 April 2025}} He then moved to QAF FC of the B-League Premier I, gaining his first international appearances while his team was sent to represent the national team for regional qualifying tournaments of the likes of AFC Challenge Cup and the AFF Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/Nov06/101106/nite26.htm|title=QAF FC For AFF Challenge |publisher=Borneo Bulletin|date=7 February 2007|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201161623/http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/Nov06/101106/nite26.htm|archivedate=1 December 2008|accessdate=26 April 2016}} He transferred to the under-21 team of DPMM in 2007, initially playing as a striker.{{cite web|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/classification/sport/2007/03/10/tricky_trip_for_injury_plagued_dpmm|title=Tricky trip for injury-plagued DPMM|publisher=The Brunei Times|date=10 March 2007|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828064803/http://www.bt.com.bn/classification/sport/2007/03/10/tricky_trip_for_injury_plagued_dpmm|archivedate=28 August 2012|accessdate=26 June 2024}} He played deeper in midfield as the 2007-08 season progressed, which would be the final season DPMM played in Malaysia.{{cite web |title=Penang force DPMM draw |url=http://www.bt.com.bn/local_sport/2008/04/06/penang_force_dpmm_draw|date=6 April 2008|publisher=The Brunei Times|accessdate=25 April 2016}} Moving to the Singaporean S.League in 2009 with his club, he was a key player for Vjeran Simunić who deployed him on the left side of DPMM's midfield.{{cite web |title=DPMM FC out to maul Lions |url=http://www.bt.com.bn/local_sport/2009/05/16/dpmm_fc_out_to_maul_lions|date=16 May 2009|publisher=The Brunei Times|accessdate=25 April 2016}} Their season was ended abruptly due to FIFA's suspension of Brunei, but not before winning the League Cup.{{cite web |title=Wardun saves the day as DPMM FC win League Cup|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/local_sport/2009/06/20/wardun_saves_the_day_as_dpmm_fc_win_league_cup|date=20 June 2009|publisher=The Brunei Times|accessdate=25 April 2016}}

Azwan was loaned to Indera SC in 2010 while his parent club were barred from playing in the S.League.{{cite web |title=Indera rely on DPMM FC connection|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/sport-national/2010/04/02/indera-rely-dpmm-fc-connection|date=2 April 2010|publisher=The Brunei Times|accessdate=6 April 2015}} The ban was lifted in 2012 and DPMM retained Azwan who started in their first game back against Tampines Rovers.{{cite web |title=DPMM FC vs 'Barca'|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/sports-national/2012/02/12/dpmm-fc-vs-barca|date=12 February 2012|publisher=The Brunei Times|accessdate=25 April 2016}} They replicated their League Cup success that year, with Azwan scoring a direct free-kick in the final.{{cite web |title=Azwan Salleh - Brunei's own free-kick specialist|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/sports-national/2012/08/13/azwan-salleh-bruneis-own-free-kick-specialist|date=13 August 2012|publisher=The Brunei Times|accessdate=25 April 2016}}

Due to the emergence of namesake Azwan Ali Rahman from 2014, Azwan switched to a more defensive role, surrendering the number 7 shirt in 2015. He played in 15 games, half of them substitute appearances as DPMM won their first S.League title. He scored his first league goal in 3 years against Geylang International on 5 August via a long-distance shot with his weaker right foot.{{cite web |title=DPMM FC top table|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/sports-national/2015/08/06/dpmm-fc-top-table|date=6 August 2015|publisher=The Brunei Times|accessdate=25 April 2016}}

In 2022, Azwan added the Brunei FA Cup winner's medal to his collection by winning the trophy on 4 December against Kasuka FC 2–1 in the final on 4 December.{{cite web |title=Crown Prince joins group photo session with DPMM FC|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/crown-prince-joins-group-photo-session-with-dpmm-fc/|date=6 December 2022|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=6 December 2022}}

On 22 September 2024, Azwan was given a rare start in place of the unavailable Azwan Ali Rahman by head coach Jamie McAllister against title contenders BG Tampines Rovers who were unbeaten in the league at that point. Playing his namesake and club captain's central midfield role, he lasted the whole match in a remarkable 3–2 victory for DPMM who recorded their first win at their Bandar Seri Begawan home ground of the season.{{cite web|url=https://spl.sg/2024-25-singapore-premier-league-matchweek-17-roundup/|title=2024/25 Singapore Premier League Matchweek 17: Roundup|publisher=Football Association of Singapore|date=23 September 2024|accessdate=24 September 2024}} He would not make another appearance in the first eleven until 2 November against Albirex Niigata (S) where in the fifth minute of stoppage time, he gathered the ball just outside of the penalty box and released a strike from range that beat Hassan Sunny to win the match 2–3 to the away side.{{cite web |url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/dpmm-fc-secure-3-2-win-against-albirex/|title=DPMM FC secure 3-2 win against Albirex|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|date=3 November 2024|accessdate=3 November 2024}}

International career

Azwan was a member of the Brunei Under-21s for the 2007 Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy held in his home country.{{cite web|url=http://www.hassanalbolkiahtrophy.com.bn/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=29|title=TEAM MEMBERS|publisher=Information Department, Prime Minister's Office of Brunei|date=6 February 2007|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103190917/http://www.hassanalbolkiahtrophy.com.bn/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=29|archivedate=3 November 2007|accessdate=27 July 2022}} He also played for the Under-23s at the 2008 Sukma Games in Malaysia and captained the side at the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia.{{cite web|title=Sukma: Brunei Football Upbeat|url=http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/May08/220508/nite36.htm|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|date=22 May 2008|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531025527/http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/May08/220508/nite36.htm|archivedate=31 May 2008|accessdate=27 July 2022}}{{cite web |title=SEA GAMES 2011: BRUNEI HOPE TO CREATE MORE THAN JUST HISTORY|url=https://www.aseanfootball.org/v3/sea-games-2011-brunei-hope-to-create-more-than-just-history/|date=4 November 2011|publisher=ASEAN Football Federation|accessdate=27 July 2022}}

Azwan holds the record number of appearances for Brunei, with 36 caps to his name. His debut came in the 2006 AFC Challenge Cup in a 0–1 loss against Sri Lanka in Bangladesh. He scored on two occasions in AFF Suzuki Cup qualifying, one against Timor-Leste in 2008, the other against Cambodia in 2012.

Azwan was appointed captain of the national team for the two-legged 2018 World Cup qualifier against Chinese Taipei.{{cite web |title='Biggest game of my life'|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/sports-national/2015/03/17/%E2%80%98biggest-game-my-life%E2%80%99|date=17 March 2015|publisher=The Brunei Times|accessdate=6 April 2015}} The team went down 0–2 at home after an encouraging 1–0 win at Kaohsiung.{{cite web |title=Brunei make history|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/frontpage-sports-national/2015/03/13/brunei-make-history|date=13 March 2015|publisher=The Brunei Times|accessdate=6 April 2015}}{{cite web |title=World Cup dreams over|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/sports-national/2015/03/18/world-cup-dreams-over|date=18 March 2015|publisher=The Brunei Times|accessdate=6 April 2015}} Azwan joined up with the Wasps for the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup qualification held in Cambodia in October 2016. With Najib Tarif injured since the first game, he was placed at left-back in the third game against Laos which ended in a 4–3 loss.{{cite web |title=Brunei put up strong fight|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/sports-national/2016/10/22/brunei-put-strong-fight|date=22 October 2016|publisher=The Brunei Times|accessdate=24 October 2016}}

Azwan started the first match of the 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup in central midfield against Timor-Leste in Kuching, Malaysia. The match ended 4–0 to the Wasps in their biggest victory of date.{{cite web |title=Brunei beat Timor Leste|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/sports-national/2016/11/03/brunei-beat-timor-leste|date=3 November 2016|publisher=The Brunei Times|accessdate=3 November 2016}} He played a total of four games for the Wasps at central midfield in the tournament.

Azwan was in line for an international recall in June 2019 for the 2022 World Cup qualification matches against Mongolia, but made himself unavailable due to unspecified reasons.{{cite web |title=Brunei national team set to miss nine key players|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/brunei-national-team-set-to-miss-nine-key-players/|date=4 June 2019|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=18 June 2019}} Three years later, he made his 27th international appearance against Malaysia away in Kuala Lumpur as a substitute in a 4–0 loss on 27 May.{{cite web |title=Match Report of Malaysia vs Brunei Darussalam - 2022-05-27 - FIFA Friendlies|url=https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2022-05-27/malaysia-vs-brunei-darussalam/2683579/|date=|publisher=Data Sports Group|accessdate=1 June 2022}} In the same year, he clocked another appearance from the bench against Laos in a 1–0 win at Bandar Seri Begawan on 27 September.{{cite web |title=Brunei beat Laos 1-0|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/brunei-beat-laos-1-0/|date=28 September 2022|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=28 September 2022}}

On 5 November 2022, Azwan scored the fourth goal against Timor-Leste in a 6–2 win for the Wasps at home in the 2022 AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup qualifying first leg match.{{cite web |title=Brunei take huge step for place in AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022|url=https://www.aseanfootball.org/v3/brunei-take-huge-step-for-place-in-aff-mitsubishi-electric-cup-2022/|date=5 November 2022|publisher=ASEAN Football Federation|accessdate=11 November 2022}} He also made a substitute appearance at the return leg three days later, helping Brunei qualify for the tournament after last competing in 1996.{{cite web |title=Brunei secure berth in AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup group stage|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/brunei-secure-berth-in-aff-mitsubishi-electric-cup-group-stage/|date=16 June 2019|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=11 November 2022}} He made three appearances in the group stage, including one from the starting lineup against the Philippines in a 5–1 defeat in Manila on 23 December.{{cite web |title=Brunei lose 5-1 to Philippines in AFF meet|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/brunei-lose-5-1-to-philippines-in-aff-meet/|date=24 December 2022|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|accessdate=29 December 2022}}

In June 2024, Brunei played two friendly games against Sri Lanka at their home ground, coached by DPMM's Rui Capela who selected almost the entire squad including Azwan. He gained his 34th international cap in the second game on the 11th as a substitute, where Brunei managed a 1–0 victory.{{cite web |title=Brunei beat Sri-Lanka 1-0 in international friendly|url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/brunei-beat-sri-lanka-1-0-in-international-friendly/|date=12 June 2024|publisher=DPMM FC|accessdate=12 June 2024}} Later that year, he was selected for the away friendly against Russia on 15 November, and started the game in an 11–0 defeat.{{cite web |title=Football Union of Russia vs Brunei: Friendlies - BBC Sport - BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cvgwv5jwnp0t|date=15 November 2024|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=16 November 2024}}

Azwan was given the captain's armband in place of his namesake for the first group game of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifying against Lebanon which was hosted by Qatar on 25 March 2025.{{Cite instagram |user=fa.bruneidarussalam |date=25 March 2025|postid=DHoYusuSFZu |title=Here’s the Brunei starting XI for tonight’s clash against Lebanon! Kick-off is at 2:30 AM Brunei time.|access-date=27 March 2025}} The Cedars ran out 5–0 winners at the end of the match.{{cite web |title=Group B: Lebanon 5-0 Brunei Darussalam|url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup.html/news/group-b-lebanon-5-0-brunei-darussalam|date=26 March 2025|publisher=Asian Football Confederation|accessdate=26 March 2025}}

International goals

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
class="wikitable"
1.	21 October 2008	National Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia	{{fb\|Timor-Leste}}	align=center\|3–0	align=center\| 4–1	2008 AFF Suzuki Cup qualification
2.	9 October 2012	Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, Myanmar	{{fb\|Cambodia}}	align=center\|3–1	align=center\| 3–2	2012 AFF Suzuki Cup qualification
3.	5 November 2022	Track & Field Sports Complex, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei	{{fb\|TLS}}	align=center\|4–2	align=center\| 6–2	2022 AFF Championship qualification