Mohammad Helmi bin Haji Zambin is a Bruneian footballer who plays as a right-sided full-back or midfielder for Kasuka FC of the Brunei Super League.

Helmi Zambin
Helmi with Kasuka in 2024
Personal information
Full name Mohammad Helmi bin Haji Zambin
Date of birth (1987-03-30) 30 March 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth Brunei
Height 1.64 m (5 ft 5 in)
Position(s) Midfielder, Right-back
Team information
Current team
Kasuka FC
Number 30
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2008 AH United
2009–2024 DPMM 176 (4)
2010–2012Indera (loan)
2024– Kasuka 1 (0)
International career
2007 Brunei U21 2 (0)
2008 Brunei U23
2008–2022 Brunei 17 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 October 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10 October 2024

Club career

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Helmi began his career with AH United from 2004 to 2008.[1][2] The following year he was selected to play for Brunei's sole professional club, DPMM FC.[3] He went to Indera SC on loan for the two seasons the FIFA ban on Brunei was in effect.[4]

After the appointment of Steve Kean, Helmi only made 5 appearances in the 2014 S.League. Kean converted him to a right-sided full-back in the following season to help him gain more playing time. He made 15 appearances as DPMM won their first S.League title.[5]

With Rene Weber at the helm, Helmi established himself as the first-choice right-back for the club in the 2018 season. He scored his first league goal in five years slotting a rebound against Geylang International in a 2–6 victory on 10 June.[6] With DPMM dominating the competition wherever they play, Helmi won the 2019 Singapore Premier League as well as the 2022 Brunei FA Cup playing for the royalty-owned club.[7][8] He was released from the club on 7 February 2024, bringing an end to a 15-year affiliation.[9]

Helmi subsequently signed for Kasuka FC who gained entry to the preliminary stage of the 2024–25 Shopee Cup as Bruneian league champions. He made his debut on 24 July 2024 as a substitute in the play-offs second leg against Shan United of Myanmar where the Bruneian club succumbed to a 3–1 defeat.[10]

International career

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Youth

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Helmi was selected for the Brunei under-21 team that competed in the 2007 Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy.[11] He was a starter for the host's first match which was a 2–2 draw against Cambodia on 3 March 2007.[12] Two days later against the Philippines, Helmi scored six minutes from time to spark a comeback for the Young Wasps and win the match 2–3 from 2–0 down after an equaliser from Abdul Hafiz Ahad and a winner through Kamarul Ariffin Ramlee just a minute into injury time.[13]

Helmi made appearances for Brunei under-23 at the 2008 Sukma Games football tournament, netting the first goal in a 3–1 win against Sarawak.[14]

Senior

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Helmi made his full international debut for the Wasps in a 0–1 loss against the Philippines on 13 May 2008 at the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup qualification.[15] He scored his first international goal against Cambodia in the group stage of the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup qualification.

Helmi was a late addition to the Brunei national team squad for the 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup held in Kuching, Malaysia.[16] He started the first match at right-back in a 4–0 win over Timor-Leste.[17] He kept his place for the rest of the tournament, playing four games.

Helmi's consistent club form led to an international callup for the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup qualification matches against Timor-Leste in early September.[18] He started the first leg in Kuala Lumpur which was a 3–1 defeat to the Wasps.[19] He kept his place at right-back seven days later in a 1–0 victory for Brunei, unfortunately the score was not enough for the Wasps to qualify for the Suzuki Cup tournament proper.[20]

Helmi accepted another callup in June 2019 for the two-legged 2022 World Cup qualification matches against Mongolia, despite several of his teammates pulling out at late notice.[21] He played at right-back for both matches, which resulted in a 2-3 aggregate loss and early elimination for Brunei.[22]

His last involvement for the Wasps was in March 2022 for a friendly away against Laos where he was an unused substitute.[23]

International goals

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Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 9 October 2012 Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, Myanmar   Cambodia 2–1 3–2 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup qualification

Honours

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Indera

DPMM

References

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  1. ^ "Shell Helix B-League 2004". Information Department, Prime Minister's Office of Brunei. Archived from the original on 9 June 2004. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  2. ^ "AH United back in business". The Brunei Times. 4 December 2007. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  3. ^ "Under-strength DPMM FC fall again". The Brunei Times. 7 July 2009. Archived from the original on 22 April 2015. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  4. ^ "Indera rely on DPMM FC connection". The Brunei Times. 2 April 2010. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  5. ^ "Sergio Stars To Help Wasps Clinch First-Ever Title". S.League. 22 November 2015. Archived from the original on 23 November 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ^ "Goals galore as Brunei DPMM claim victory over Geylang at Bedok". Fox Sports Asia. 10 June 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  7. ^ "DPMM FC CLINCH SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE". BruSports News. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  8. ^ "DPMM FC sink Kasuka FC to win Brunei FA Cup". Borneo Bulletin. 5 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  9. ^ "DPMM FC releases 6 players". DPMM FC. 7 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Shan United vs Kasuka FC live score, H2H and lineups Sofascore". Sofascore. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  11. ^ "Brunei Darussalam". Information Department, Prime Minister's Office of Brunei. 7 February 2007. Archived from the original on 3 November 2007. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  12. ^ "PREVIOUS MATCHES". Information Department, Prime Minister's Office of Brunei. 7 February 2007. Archived from the original on 8 March 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  13. ^ "Late goals lift Brunei past Pinoys". The Visayan Daily Star. 8 March 2007. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  14. ^ "Brunei Out Of Sukma Football". Borneo Bulletin. 2 June 2008. Archived from the original on 5 June 2008. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  15. ^ "MATCH SUMMARY:BRUNEI DARUSSALAM 0 - 1 PHILIPPINES" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation. 13 May 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  16. ^ "Helmi, Azwan join team for AFC Solidarity Cup". The Brunei Times. 1 November 2016. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  17. ^ "Brunei beat Timor Leste". The Brunei Times. 3 November 2016. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  18. ^ "Minister urges national team to make impact at AFF Suzuki Cup qualifier". Borneo Bulletin. 30 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.[permanent dead link]
  19. ^ "Timor Leste a step closer to reaching AFF Suzuki Cup". Fox Sports Asia. 2 September 2018. Archived from the original on 2 September 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  20. ^ "Brunei win 1-0 against Timor Leste but miss out on AFF final round". Borneo Bulletin. 9 September 2018. Archived from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  21. ^ "Brunei national team set to miss nine key players". Borneo Bulletin. 4 June 2019. Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  22. ^ "Brunei snatch 2-1 home win but miss out on second round of World Cup". Borneo Bulletin. 12 June 2019. Archived from the original on 16 June 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  23. ^ "FABD announces Brunei squad for Laos friendly". Borneo Bulletin. 24 March 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
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