The National Football Association
of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD)
Under-15 team posing for a group
photo after their practice match
against their Under-18 counterparts
last night.Picture: BT/ Yee Chun
Leong
There is still plenty of work to be done for the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) Under-15 team.
They had their first training session together last night and played out to a 2-2 draw against the Under-18 national side in a friendly at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
The Under-15 squad could have ended on the winning end but saw their counterparts score in the last minute in the friendly.
Head coach, Liew Chuan Fue, was satisfied with the showing of his charges but knows there is still a lot of work to do in preparations for the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM)-Frenz Under-15 ASEAN Champions Trophy.
"We will need to work on our midfield and obviously there is a lack of gelling. We will need to play more games first," said Liew in an interview with The Brunei Times last night.
"The fitness level can be improved as well but overall I thought we did alright for our first game," he added.
"We focused more on defending and the players did well. Playing out to a 2-2 draw was a good result especially since we scored against a team that have been training together longer than us," continued the 1999 Malaysia Cup winning captain.
The NFABD Under-15 team will have only two days to prepare for their opener against Frenz Indonesia in Group B at home on Saturday.
"I believe we will have to do a lot of defending against them. We will work on our set pieces and be prepared," said Liew.
The team management also went on to thank Brunei Darussalam Sports School Council (MSSSBD), Brunei Sports School, Projek Ikan Pusu (PIP), Muara Vella and Al-Idrus for allowing their players to join the squad.
Meanwhile, the players on the team are grateful to be selected to represent the Sultanate in the inaugural competition.
Narsul Wafiy Hj Hassan, who laces up for PIP, is thankful to be given such a chance.
"I feel very happy to be picked for the team. This is a good opportunity for me and I'm looking to produce some goals during the tournament," said the 14-year-old attacking midfielder.
Muhd Syahmi Rashid of MSSSBD has had more experience under his belt after representing Brunei for the AFC Under-14 and ASEAN School Games.
"I'm looking to contribute as much as possible for my team. I'm also hoping to score a couple of goals," said the striker.
Myanmar Mandalay Academy, Lao Toyota Academy, Philippines Global FC Under-15, and Frenz Malaysia B are the other teams in Group B.
Group A is made up of Frenz Malaysia A, Singapore NFA, Vietnam PVF Academy, Phnom Penh Crown Academy, Thailand Chonburi Academy and Timor Leste U-15s.
