Caption: Brunei players celebrate scoring against Timor Leste in their Group F match at the 2018 AFC Under-19 Championship qualifiers in South Korea yesterday. Picture: Courtesy of AFC
Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
BRUNEI ended their 2018 AFC Under-19 Championship qualifiers in South Korea with a point after a 2-2 draw against Timor Leste yesterday.
Both teams finished the qualifiers with a point in the five-team table but Timor Leste placed above the Sultanate on better goal difference.
Timor Leste grabbed the lead through Danilson Conceicao Araujo in the 13th minute before Hariz Herman equalised in the 34th minute at the Puja Public Stadium.
The Sultanate went in front through Mohammad Hanif Aiman Hj Adanan 10 minutes into the second half but it was shortlived with Araujo converting a penalty two minutes later to see both teams share the spoils.
National under-18 football coach Takao Fujiwara praised his charges for their never-say-die attitude.
“It was a difficult game today (Wednesday), but the players have fighting spirit - and they fight for their country,” said the Japanese.
“It may only be one point, but it is not something small for us.
“All the players fought until the end, so I am very proud of all the players and officials,” added Fujiwara.
Brunei had started the competition with a 5-0 defeat to Indonesia on Oct 31 before falling to Asian powerhouse South Korea 11-0 in the second game last Tuesday.
They put up their best performance in their third game but eventually lost 1-0 to Malaysia.
