{{Short description|Bruneian football club}} {{Infobox football club | clubname = Kota Ranger | image = Kota Ranger FC logo.png | upright = 0.7 | fullname = Kota Ranger Football Club<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weltfussballarchiv.com/club-profile/brunei-darussalam/kota-ranger-fc/22249/|title=Kota Ranger FC – Brunei Darussalam – Kelab Bola Sepak Kota Ranger – Club Profile, Club History, Club Badge, Results, Fixtures, Historical Logos, Statistics|author=|date=|website=www.weltfussballarchiv.com|accessdate=18 December 2018|archive-date=3 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203181054/http://www.weltfussballarchiv.com/club-profile/brunei-darussalam/kota-ranger-fc/22249/|url-status=dead}}</ref> | founded = {{Start date and age|1978}} | short name = KRFC | stadium = Berakas Sports Complex | capacity = 500 | owner = Abdul Razak Ibrahim | mgrtitle = Head coach | manager = Syarafuddin Hamdi Talip | league = Brunei Super League | season = 2025–26 | position = 3rd | pattern_la1 = | pattern_b1 = _blackrightsash | pattern_ra1 = | pattern_sh1 = | pattern_so1 = | leftarm1 = 000000 | body1 = FF5400 | rightarm1 = 000000 | shorts1 = 000000 | socks1 = 000000 | pattern_la2 = | pattern_b2 = _inter199798 | pattern_ra2 = | pattern_sh2 = | pattern_so2 = | leftarm2 = 000000 | body2 = 000000 | rightarm2 = 000000 | shorts2 = 000000 | socks2 = 000000 | website = }}
'''Kota Ranger Football Club''' ({{Langx|ms|Kelab Bola Sepak Kota Ranger}}; abbrev: KRFC), formerly '''Perkota''',<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Kota Ranger FC |url=https://the-fabd.com/team/kota-ranger-fc/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210082730/https://the-fabd.com/team/kota-ranger-fc/ |url-status=live }}</ref> is a Bruneian football club, playing in the Brunei Super League. It was formed in 1978 and was successful in the late eighties and early nineties, winning the national championships twice.<ref name=rs>{{cite web|title=Brunei - List of Champions|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/bruneichamp.html|date=23 June 2021|publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|accessdate=22 May 2021|archive-date=6 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206033813/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesb/bruneichamp.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Kota Ranger directly translates to City Ranger in English.
Having won two national championship playoffs, a competition that pitted the four district champions against one another; in 1987 and 1993, Kota Ranger is regarded as one of the most successful clubs from that era.<ref name=":0" /> Kota Ranger FC, a dominant force in Brunei football in the 1980s and 1990s, and AM Gunners FC are two club names that may hint at some British influence on the local game.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Laycock |first1=Stuart |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IBWMEAAAQBAJ&dq=kota+ranger+fc&pg=PT53 |title=How Britain Brought Football to the World |last2=Laycock |first2=Philip |date=2022-10-13 |publisher=History Press |isbn=978-1-80399-221-1 |language=en |access-date=2023-01-29 |archive-date=2023-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511114856/https://books.google.com/books?id=IBWMEAAAQBAJ&dq=kota+ranger+fc&pg=PT53 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==History== ===Early days=== In the 1970s, Perkota was created by Alidon Laidin and his siblings of Kota Batu on the outskirts of Bandar Seri Begawan, overlooking the Brunei Bay.<ref name="fa">{{cite web |date=19 February 2021 |title=Club Profiles: Kota Ranger FC |url=https://www.nfabd.org/team/kota-ranger-fc/ |accessdate=23 July 2021 |publisher=Football Association of Brunei Darussalam |archive-date=23 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723024600/https://www.nfabd.org/team/kota-ranger-fc/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Before focusing on football and changing their name to Kota Ranger FC in 1978, the main sports were perahu racing, badminton, and sepak takraw. This was a result of their accepting players from outside the Kota Batu region as well.<ref name=":0" /> They participated in the national championships run by the Brunei Football Association and claimed silverware first in 1987,<ref name="rs" /> then secondly in a league championship in 1992.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|title=Kota Ranger raih $4 ribu|url=http://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1992/Pelita%20Brunei%2019%20Februari%201992.pdf%26page%3D18|date=19 February 1992|publisher=Pelita Brunei|accessdate=23 July 2021|archive-date=23 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723024557/http://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1992/Pelita%20Brunei%2019%20Februari%201992.pdf%26page%3D18|url-status=live}}</ref>
Regionally, they participated in the 1987 Asian Club Championship and the 1992 Borneo Inter-Club Cup, winning the latter outright.<ref name=":2">{{cite web|title=Kejohanan Bolasepak Antara Kelab-kelab Borneo: Kota Ranger Juara|url=http://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1992/Pelita%20Brunei%2011%20Mac%201992.pdf#page=18|date=11 March 1992|publisher=Pelita Brunei|accessdate=22 July 2021|archive-date=22 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722033016/http://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1992/Pelita%20Brunei%2011%20Mac%201992.pdf#page=18|url-status=live}}</ref> A penalty scored by Momin Ahmad on the 22nd minute of the match between Kota Ranger and Persiba Balikpapan, brought the club to victory.<ref name=":0" /> They failed to qualify for the 1992–93 edition of the Asian Club Championship, despite having beaten PKNK F.C. from Malaysia in the first round.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportimes.my/the-lost-tale-of-pknk-fc/|title=The lost tale of PKNK FC|publisher=Sportimes|date=|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424052004/http://www.sportimes.my/the-lost-tale-of-pknk-fc/|archivedate=24 April 2020|accessdate=23 July 2021}}</ref> A few national players, including Liew Chuan Fue and Rosanan Samak of the 1999 Malaysia Cup team, were from Kota Ranger.<ref name=":0" />
===Decline=== Kota Ranger was one of the founding clubs of the B-League in 2002.<ref>{{cite web |title=TINGKATKAN MUTU BOLA SEPAK NEGARA|url=http://www.brunet.bn:80/news/pelita/10julai/sukan.htm|date=10 July 2002|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020918053621/http://www.brunet.bn:80/news/pelita/10julai/sukan.htm|archivedate=18 September 2002|publisher=Pelita Brunei|accessdate=23 July 2021}}</ref> They were relegated after being in the last place with only one win during the 2004 Premier League,<ref>{{cite web|title=Sengkurong FC & Kota Ranger relegated|url=http://brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/Jan09/15/nite36.htm|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|date=16 October 2004|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061202165041/http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/Oct04/161004/bb_sports02.htm|archivedate=2 December 2006|accessdate=27 May 2021}}</ref> and spent time in the second tier of Brunei football until 2015, when they became league champions and promoted to the Brunei Super League.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |url=http://borneobulletin.com.bn/kota-ranger-bag-dst-premier-league-title/ |title=Kota Ranger bag DST Premier League title |access-date=2017-02-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222054613/http://borneobulletin.com.bn/kota-ranger-bag-dst-premier-league-title/ |archive-date=2017-02-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Norsillmy Taha scored the winning penalty which resulted in a 1–0 victory over Tabuan Muda.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-09-23 |title=Kota Ranger FC crowned DST Premier League champions {{!}} The Brunei Times |url=http://www.bt.com.bn/sports-national/2015/08/13/kota-ranger-fc-crowned-dst-premier-league-champions |access-date=2022-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923234241/http://www.bt.com.bn/sports-national/2015/08/13/kota-ranger-fc-crowned-dst-premier-league-champions |archive-date=2015-09-23 }}</ref> [[File:DPMM-Kota Ranger 27 November 2022 24.jpg|thumb|Clashes between Kota Ranger and DPMM FC players during the 2022 FA Cup.]]
===Revival=== Currently their best record in the competition is in the 2017–18 season when they finished runners-up to MS ABDB.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfabd.org/press-release/2018021001.htm|title=MS ABDB win third straight DST Super League|publisher=National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam|date=|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613131550/http://www.nfabd.org/press-release/2018021001.htm|archivedate=13 June 2018|accessdate=23 July 2021}}</ref> In 2019, Kota Ranger claimed their first ever FA Cup triumph, beating MS PDB 2–1, the winner coming in the 89th minute via Nur Asyraffahmi Norsamri after Amir Bujang for the policemen cancelled out an earlier Amalul Said goal.<ref>{{cite web|title=KOTA RANGER CROWNED DST FA CUP CHAMPIONS|url=https://www.brusports.com/2019/04/23/kota-ranger-crowned-dst-fa-cup-champions/|date=23 April 2019|publisher=BruSports News|accessdate=23 July 2021|archive-date=23 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723031603/https://www.brusports.com/2019/04/23/kota-ranger-crowned-dst-fa-cup-champions/|url-status=live}}</ref> During the 2020 Super Cup, the club went as far as winning the final match 3–1 against MS ABDB at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium. Adi Said's debut followed by him scoring a hat-trick; on the 3rd, 44th and 90th minutes of the match.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Kota Ranger FC Juara Piala Sumbangsih 2020 {{!}} Brunei's No.1 News Website |url=https://www.brudirect.com/news.php?id=86729 |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=www.brudirect.com |archive-date=2022-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210082726/https://www.brudirect.com/news.php?id=86729 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The club was leading 1st place in the 2020 Super League when it was unexpectedly postponed and eventually cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the country, ending the tournament with only two matches completed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-03-14 |title=NFABD calls of Brunei Super League due to COVID-19 » Borneo Bulletin Online |url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/nfabd-calls-of-brunei-super-league-due-to-covid-19/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=NFABD calls of Brunei Super League due to COVID-19 |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210071757/https://borneobulletin.com.bn/nfabd-calls-of-brunei-super-league-due-to-covid-19/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-30 |title=Brunei Super League 2021 called off » Borneo Bulletin Online |url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/brunei-super-league-2021-called-off-2/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Brunei Super League 2021 called off |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210071801/https://borneobulletin.com.bn/brunei-super-league-2021-called-off-2/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> That following year, the restrictions were lifted and the club would participate in the 2022 FA Cup,<ref name="bb12">{{cite web |date=8 June 2022 |title=FA Cup to kick off on August 6 |url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/fa-cup-to-kick-off-on-august-6-2/ |accessdate=24 June 2022 |publisher=Borneo Bulletin |archive-date=24 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624075549/https://borneobulletin.com.bn/fa-cup-to-kick-off-on-august-6-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Kota Ranger made it into the semi finals of the 2022 FA Cup after winning against KB FC in the quarter-finals. However, they would be defeated by DPMM FC with an aggregated score of 3–0.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-28 |title=DPMM FC beat Kota Ranger FC » Borneo Bulletin Online |url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/dpmm-fc-beat-kota-ranger-fc-2/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=DPMM FC beat Kota Ranger FC |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210082709/https://borneobulletin.com.bn/dpmm-fc-beat-kota-ranger-fc-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Current squad== {{updated|13 January 2026}}
{{Fs start}} {{Fs player|no=1|nat=Brunei|pos=GK|name=Hendra Putera Idris}} {{Fs player|no=2|nat=Brunei|pos=DF|name=Hanif Omar Ali}} {{Fs player|no=3|nat=Brunei|pos=DF|name=Kasyfil Anuar Zamain}} {{Fs player|no=4|nat=Brunei|pos=DF|name=Abdul Aziz Tamit |other=Captain}} {{Fs player|no=6|nat=Brunei|pos=DF|name=Esmendy Brahim}} {{Fs player|no=7|nat=Brunei|pos=FW|name=Azreen Eskander Sa'oda}} {{Fs player|no=8|nat=Brunei|pos=MF|name=Amirul Zafrey Norshaney}} {{Fs player|no=9|nat=Brunei|pos=MF|name=Hazmi Salleh}} {{Fs player|no=10|nat=Brunei|pos=MF|name=Asnawi Syazni Abdul Aziz}} {{Fs player|no=11|nat=Brunei|pos=FW|name=Sahfiq Hidayat Sahrizam}} {{Fs player|no=13|nat=Brunei|pos=DF|name=Hirzi Zulfaqar Mahzan}} {{Fs player|no=14|nat=Brunei|pos=MF|name=Hafis Mahari}} {{Fs player|no=15|nat=Brunei|pos=FW|name=Syazwan Sahrin}} {{Fs mid}} {{Fs player|no=16|nat=Brunei|pos=MF|name=Azim Izamuddin Suhaimi}} {{Fs player|no=17|nat=Brunei|pos=DF|name=Aman Abdul Rahim}} {{Fs player|no=18|nat=Brunei|pos=MF|name=Zainul Ariffin Mahdinee}} {{Fs player|no=19|nat=Brunei|pos=DF|name=Alin Syahmi Hossaini}} {{Fs player|no=20|nat=Brunei|pos=DF|name=Syaherrul Affendy Syahmirul Nizam}} {{Fs player|no=21|nat=Brunei|pos=MF|name=Abdul Afiq Roslan}} {{Fs player|no=23|nat=Brunei|pos=DF|name=Danish Danial Alfian}} {{Fs player|no=24|nat=Brunei|pos=DF|name=Syam Sulaimi Jamahat}} {{Fs player|no=25|nat=Brunei|pos=GK|name=Izhar Imran}} {{Fs player|no=26|nat=Brunei|pos=MF|name=Sholihuddin Jamaluddin}} {{Fs player|no=27|nat=Nigeria|pos=FW|name=Muhammed Sa'ad}} {{Fs player|no=30|nat=Brunei|pos=GK|name=Abdul Rashid Ibrahim}} {{Fs end}}
==Club officials== {| class="wikitable" !Position !Staff |- |Owner |{{flagicon|BRU}} Abdul Razak Ibrahim<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2020-02-28 |title=Kota Ranger FC ready for new season's challenges » Borneo Bulletin Online |url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/kota-ranger-fc-ready-new-seasons-challenges/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Kota Ranger FC ready for new season’s challenges |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210134124/https://borneobulletin.com.bn/kota-ranger-fc-ready-new-seasons-challenges/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- |Team manager |{{flagicon|BRU}} Zulkefly Duraman |- |Head coach |{{flagicon|BRU}} Syarafuddin Hamdi Talip |- |Assistant coaches |{{flagicon|BRU}} Eirwan Rais<br>{{flagicon|BRU}} Hardi Bujang<br>{{flagicon|BRU}} Sharazri Azamain<br>{{flagicon|BRU}} Wahyuny Mustapa |- |Kitman |{{flagicon|BRU}} Asmadi Jalil |- |Medic |{{flagicon|BRU}} Shahrani Abdul Rahim |- |}
==Continental record== {| class="wikitable" ! Season ! Competition ! Round ! Club ! Home ! Away ! Aggregate |- |rowspan="3"|1987 |rowspan="9"|Asian Club Championship |rowspan="3"|Group Stage |{{flagicon|IDN}} Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian |colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|5–1 |rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|4th |- |{{flagicon|MAS}} Federal Territory |colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|1–8 |- |{{flagicon|SGP}} Tiong Bahru CSC |colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|3–2 |- |- |rowspan="2"|1992–93 |First Round |{{flagicon|MAS}} PKNK |style="text-align:center;"|1–1 |style="text-align:center;"|5–1 |style="text-align:center;"|6–2 |- |Second Round |{{flagicon|IDN}} Arseto Solo |style="text-align:center;"|1–1 |style="text-align:center;"|1–2 |style="text-align:center;"|2–3 |- |rowspan="3"|1994–95 |rowspan="2"|Preliminary Round |{{flagicon|Macau|municipal}} Negro Rubro |rowspan="2" colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|advanced |- |{{flagicon|PHI}} Davao City |- |First Round |{{flagicon|Hong Kong|colonial}} Eastern AA |style="text-align:center;"|1–6 |style="text-align:center;"|1–6 |style="text-align:center;"|2–12 |}
==Honours== * Brunei Premier League ** Champions (1): 2015<ref name=":3" /> * Brunei Super League ** Runners-up (1): 2017–2018 * National Championship play-off ** Champions (2): 1987, 1993 * Brunei FA Cup ** Champions (1): 2018–2019<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-04-23 |title=Kota Ranger capture maiden DST FA Cup title » Borneo Bulletin Online |url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/kota-ranger-capture-maiden-dst-fa-cup-title-2/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Kota Ranger capture maiden DST FA Cup title |language=en-US |archive-date=2019-04-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427135804/https://borneobulletin.com.bn/kota-ranger-capture-maiden-dst-fa-cup-title-2/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> ** Runners-up (1): 2003<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brunei 2003 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/brunei03.html |access-date=2022-12-28 |website=RSSSF |archive-date=2022-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905025807/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/brunei03.html |url-status=live }}</ref> * Piala Sumbangsih ** Champions (1): 2020<ref name=":4" /> * Brunei National Championship ** Champions (1): 1987<ref name="rs" /> * Jasra Trophy League ** Champions (1): 1988–89<ref>{{cite web |date=14 April 2022 |title=Brunei 1988/89 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/brunei89.html |accessdate=23 August 2022 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |archive-date=23 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823050844/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/brunei89.html |url-status=live }}</ref> * BAFA-Standard Chartered Football League ** Champions (1): 1992<ref name=":1" /> * Borneo Inter-Club Cup ** Champions (1): 1992<ref name=":2" /> * Piza Cup ** Champions (1): 2005<ref name="pz">{{cite web|title=Kota Rangers Win Piza Cup Charity Shield|url=http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/Feb06/210206/nite35.htm|publisher=Borneo Bulletin|date=21 February 2006|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061202203903/http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/Feb06/210206/nite35.htm|archivedate=2 December 2006|accessdate=23 January 2024}}</ref> * Piza Cup Charity Shield ** Champions (1): 2006<ref name="pz" /> * Joint Cup Championship ** Champions (1): 2019<ref>{{cite web |date=11 December 2019 |title=Kota Ranger 'Joint Cup' champions |url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/kota-ranger-joint-cup-champions/ |accessdate=11 December 2019 |publisher=Borneo Bulletin |archive-date=27 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727042509/https://borneobulletin.com.bn/kota-ranger-joint-cup-champions/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Instagram|kota.rangerfc}}
{{Kota Ranger squad}} {{Brunei Super League teamlist}}
Category:Football in Brunei Category:Football clubs in Brunei Category:Association football clubs established in 1978 Category:1978 establishments in Brunei Category:Sport in Bandar Seri Begawan