Monday, June 8, 2015
TABUAN Muda (the national under-23 football team) have one more chance to try and salvage something out of the 28th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games when they take on 2009 and 2011 winners Malaysia in their final Group B match at the Bishan Stadium today.
The Sultanate are rooted at the bottom of the group with four straight losses - conceding a total of 15 goals and finding the back of the net twice.
Malaysia haven’t been in the best form as they are already out of contention for the semi-finals with losses to Thailand and Vietnam.
Brunei are coming off a 5-0 hammering at the hands of defending champions Thailand on Saturday night but national under-23 football coach Stephen Ng remains positive and is hoping that they can bounce back strongly.
“It is disappointing not to get any points in the last four games. The team is still kept in high spirit and players are determined to do well against Malaysia,” said Ng in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.
“It was always tough and challenging to play Thailand. What is important is that we gave our best effort and we must now look at how to improve and raise our game.
“There were no differences in terms of physical presence between us and Thailand as our boys shown that we are able to compete,” he added.
“The difference is that the Thai players are better conditioned as they play in the professional league week in week out.
“Nonetheless, our players are prepared for tomorrow’s (Monday’s) game and we will do our best in the last game of this tournament. All players are also physically fit for selection,” continued the Singaporean.
Ng rested his key players - with the likes of Azwan Ali Rahman, Aminuddin Zakwan Tahir and Azri Zahari - by leaving them on the bench against the Thais.
Forward YAM Pg Muda Faiq HRH Prince Jefri Bolkiah was in the starting line up but was taken off at halftime. Kick off is at 8.30pm.
The Brunei Times
The Sultanate are rooted at the bottom of the group with four straight losses - conceding a total of 15 goals and finding the back of the net twice.
Malaysia haven’t been in the best form as they are already out of contention for the semi-finals with losses to Thailand and Vietnam.
Brunei are coming off a 5-0 hammering at the hands of defending champions Thailand on Saturday night but national under-23 football coach Stephen Ng remains positive and is hoping that they can bounce back strongly.
“It is disappointing not to get any points in the last four games. The team is still kept in high spirit and players are determined to do well against Malaysia,” said Ng in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.
“It was always tough and challenging to play Thailand. What is important is that we gave our best effort and we must now look at how to improve and raise our game.
“There were no differences in terms of physical presence between us and Thailand as our boys shown that we are able to compete,” he added.
“The difference is that the Thai players are better conditioned as they play in the professional league week in week out.
“Nonetheless, our players are prepared for tomorrow’s (Monday’s) game and we will do our best in the last game of this tournament. All players are also physically fit for selection,” continued the Singaporean.
Ng rested his key players - with the likes of Azwan Ali Rahman, Aminuddin Zakwan Tahir and Azri Zahari - by leaving them on the bench against the Thais.
Forward YAM Pg Muda Faiq HRH Prince Jefri Bolkiah was in the starting line up but was taken off at halftime. Kick off is at 8.30pm.
The Brunei Times
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