Under-16 players competing in
an earlier edition of the
national league. Brunei is
set to compete at the ASEAN
Football Federation (AFF)
Under-16 Championship in
Napyidaw, Myanmar, from
August 22 to September 2.
Picture: BT file
Football fans in the Sultanate will be treated to plenty of football action as the country prepares to participate in this month's ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Under-16 Championship in Napyidaw, Myanmar.
According to AFF's official website, the 10 competing countries will be divided into two group of five at the August 22 to September 2 tournament.
Brunei were drawn in Group A alongside two-time champions Vietnam, Myanmar, Australia and Cambodia.
Meanwhile, Singapore, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines have been pooled in Group B.
Brunei will kick off their campaign against Cambodia on August 22 before playing Australia two days later.
The national team will face hosts Myanmar on August 26 before finishing their group stage match against Vietnam on August 28.
The draw ceremony for the championship was held in February at the AFF Competitions Committee meeting in Timor Leste.
When contacted by The Brunei Times yesterday, the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) said that they have prepared the team but the association declined to comment on who will be managing and coaching the players.
In a previous report in The Brunei Times, the country will also be sending two separate teams to compete at the AFF Under-19 Youth Championships in Indonesia next month and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-19 tournament in Thailand in October.
The Under-19 teams have been undergoing intensive training at the Balapan Track and Field Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas five times a week under manager Mohammad Hj Tunjang.
Unlike in previous years where invitational teams such as Japan took part, this year's edition of the AFF tournament is restricted only to Southeast Asian countries, with the exception of Australia.
Japan are the defending champions in the AFF tournament after defeating Australia 3-1 in last year's final in Laos.
Since its introduction in 2002, Myanmar have won the tournament twice in 2002 and 2005.
Thailand and Vietnam are also two-time winners.
Thailand clinched the tournament in 2007 and 2011 while Vietnam won it in 2006 and 2010.
