Brunei face Timor Leste in AFF qualifiers

 Fadhil Yunus

Brunei Darussalam’s football team will play Timor Leste in the qualification round of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022 following an official draw ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand yesterday.

The Wasps will host the first leg of the tie, with the dates yet to be ascertained, while Timor Leste will welcome the Bruneians for the second leg.

The winner of the two-legged tie will secure a spot in Group ‘A’ alongside defending champions Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Cambodia. Group ‘B’ comprises Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore and Laos.

Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD) President Pengiran Haji Matusin bin Pengiran Haji Matasan conducted the draw for the qualifying round.

The tournament, which will be held from December 20 to January 16, will see the return of the home and away format.

AFF President Major General Khiev Sameth said, “The AFF Championship has always been the crown jewel of football and we are delighted to see the return of the tournament this year as the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022.

“The past couple of years have been very tough for everyone in the region. But, we are emerging stronger together from these challenges and has become more united as a football community.”

The president added that they were able to host the 2020 AFF Championship successfully last year and credited the member associations, partners and stakeholders for their cooperation and support.

“We know our passionate and loyal fans are eagerly looking forward to see the teams in action again,” he said, welcoming fans from various countries to enliven the tournament.

Brunei’s only appearance in the competition’s main draw was in 1996.

Thailand won the last edition of the competition after defeating Indonesia 6-2 in aggregate during the final match at the Singapore’s National Stadium on New Years’ Day.

https://borneobulletin.com.bn/brunei-face-timor-leste-in-aff-qualifiers/

Brunei lose to Sarawak 2-0 in friendly

 Fadhil Yunus

Brunei Darussalam’s under-20 team slipped to a 2-0 loss to Sarawak under-20 team during a Tier II international friendly match at the Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD) Artificial Football Field in Berakas yesterday.

The hosts had a wonderful opportunity to take the lead after Hakeme Yazid bin Said delicately controlled a neat pass, but his shot rolled agonisingly wide.

Shortly after, Sarawak pulled ahead through Muhammad Adifbadri Ariffin in the 10th minute.

The visitors nearly doubled their lead after Alan Lagang Keryer carved open the Brunei defence but his low effort ended wide.

Hakeme, who was the country’s most influential player, was nearly rewarded with an equaliser after coming clean through but his effort went inches wide.

Brunei made the first substitution of the game with Muhammad Bazli Aminuddin replacing Awangku Md Idzzaham Aleshahmezan bin Pengiran Metali just before half-time.

The substitute got the crowd on its feet after pressuring the Sarawak’s defence early into the second half.

The Sukma-bound team eventually doubled their lead as Mohammad Faris bin Mohd Faidhillah converted a penalty in the 73rd minute.

The international friendly match provided an opportunity for local spectators to witness the national age-group team in action against foreign opposition on home soil.

Permanent Secretary (Sports) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Pengiran Mohd Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud attended the match.

FABD President Pengiran Haji Matusin bin Pengiran Haji Matasan was also present.

https://borneobulletin.com.bn/brunei-lose-to-sarawak-2-0-in-friendly/

Brunei to host international friendlies against Laos, Maldives

 Fadhil Yunus

Brunei Darussalam will host a series of international friendly matches to kick-start football activities following a lengthy absence owed to the COVID-19 pandemic, said the Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD) yesterday.

The series of international matches will begin with the national under-20 team playing against the Sarawak under-20 team, while the national ‘A’ team are expected to play friendly matches against Laos and Maldives next month.

The match between Brunei and Sarawak under-20 teams will be held at the FABD Artificial Football Field on August 28 at 4pm.

Meanwhile, the venue for the international matches involving the senior national team is yet to be confirmed amid the need to accommodate a larger attendance.

FABD President Pengiran Haji Matusin bin Pengiran Haji Matasan said, “After almost three years, FABD has not seen any international football match in Brunei Darussalam.

Alhamdulillah, the under-20 team and the ‘A’ team will play against teams that have been invited to compete in the Sultanate.”

Meanwhile, FABD Deputy President Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin expressed gratitude to be able to invite international teams for friendly matches.

“This is to provide the opportunity not only for the residents of Brunei but football fans to witness international matches that could not be viewed during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

The Sarawak under-20 team are preparing for the Malaysian Games (SUKMA), the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) said.

It will be the first international match that will be staged at the FABD Artificial Football Field, which has been certified to host international friendly matches despite housing a limited capacity for spectators.

Haji Salleh Bostaman also shared that there will be Tier 1 matches – a senior international game recognised by the International Federation and Association Football (FIFA) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) which could alter the ranking of Brunei Darussalam’s national team.

“Insya Allah, the three games with Laos and Maldives will be held in Brunei starting September 21,” he said.

“We cannot confirm the location yet but we will obtain approval from the authorities. Insya Allah, we will find a bigger venue to accommodate more fans.

“We (FABD) are excited to bring the four international matches into the country, for football fans.”

The national ‘A’ team have been scheduled to meet Maldives on September 21 and Laos on September 27.

https://borneobulletin.com.bn/brunei-to-host-international-friendlies-against-laos-maldives/

AFF Cup 2022 - Brunei in group A

 

BANGKOK (30 Aug 2022) – The Official Draw for the biggest football competition in South East Asia, the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022, concluded today, revealing the pathway to glory for the 10 participating teams.

Defending champions Thailand will face 2020 edition’s runners-up Indonesia in Group A.

The two sides last faced each other in the Finals of the 2020 tournament. Philippines, Cambodia and the winners of the qualification round matches between Brunei Darussalam and TimorLeste will join them in Group A.

The qualification round matches have been scheduled for 5 and 15 November.

2018 champions Vietnam will face 2010 winners Malaysia, four-time champions Singapore, Myanmar and Laos in Group B.

With less than four months to go until the tournament kicks off, the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) also announced that the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022 will take place from 20 December 2022 to 16 January 2023, across the 10 ASEAN cities in a full home-and-away format.

https://www.aseanfootball.org/v3/defending-champions-thailand-to-play-indonesia-in-aff-mitsubishi-electric-cup-2022-group-stage/

AFF Futsal Cup in Thailand - Perwira Fc

BANGKOK (26 Aug 2022) – It is expected to be a keen contest in the AFF Futsal Cup slated for 4-10 September 2022 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

Following the official draw of the AFF Futsal Cup this afternoon, host Hongyen Thakam will be up against Cambodia’s Down Town Sport in Group A alongside Bintang Timur Surabaya from Indonesia and Brunei DS’ Perwira FC.

Group B are Selangor MAC from Malaysia, Sahako FC from Vietnam and Timor Leste’s Remalau FC.

With just the top two teams from each group making the cut to the crossover semifinals, the contest will be keen indeed in spite of the fact that Group B will have a team less as compared to Group A.

But given that these are clubs whereby, for the most part, were either league champions or runners-up, their quality is beyond doubt.

https://www.aseanfootball.org/v3/keen-contest-in-aff-futsal-cup/

Brunei 3- Nations tournament in September ; Brunei , Laos and Maldives !

 

AFF U16 Boys Championship 2022 - Brunei U16 Squad list