Caption: Azim Izamuddin Suhaimi netted for Brunei in the defeat to Singapore. Picture: Courtesy of AFC
Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
THE national under-23 football team ended their AFC Under-23 Championship Group F qualifying campaign in Myanmar without a win after losing 4-1 to Singapore at Thuwaunna Stadium in Yangon yesterday.
Brunei had already been eliminated from the tournament after losing to Australia and hosts Myanmar in their other group matches.
Head coach Kwon Oh-son was disappointed with his charges performances and vowed to come back stronger for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
"I’m very disappointed with our performance and results but we’ll rectify our weaknesses… and we will be back with a better performance in the SEA Games," said Kwon during the post match conference as quoted on the AFC website.
"In this competition, I was testing my players. I will make some changes for the SEA Games," added the South Korean.
Md Shafie Hj Md Effendy in action against Singapore. PIcture: Courtesy of AFC
Singapore got their opening goal in the 14th minute after striker Ikhsan Fandi Ahmad surprised the goalkeeper from the left in what was Singapore's first goal of the competition.
Mohamad Hanafi Mohd Akbar hit the second goal in the 38th minute but Brunei pulled one back when midfielder Azim Izamuddin Suhaimi gave his side hope just before the half time whistle.
Singapore remained on top when play resumed and Taufik Suparno and Ikhsan ensured they finished on a high by scoring in the 87th and 90th minutes respectively to complete the victory.
Australia topped the group table with a maximum nine points after beating Myanmar 3-0 earlier yesterday.
