Caption: The national under-16 football team starting XI against Laos in their Group B match at the AFF Under-16 Championship in Indonesia. Picture: Courtesy of NFABD
Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
THE national under-16 football team were edged 3-2 by Laos in their Group B opener at the AFF Under-16 Football Championship in Indonesia.
Brunei got off to a perfect start as they grabbed the lead just 50 seconds into the encounter at the Joko Samudro Stadium after Mohd Idzzaham Metali connected on Mohammad Eddy Shahrol Omar’s cross from the right.
Laos grabbed the equaliser in the 12th minute after Anantaza Siphongphan headed home Soubanh Keopheth’s cross.
They went in front for the first time just nine minutes later through Lekto Aphay netting from point blank range.
Brunei ensured that they entered the interval level after Muhammad Hakeme Yazid Said headed home two minutes before the halftime whistle.
The game could have gone either way but it was Laos who struck again just eight minutes into the second half.
Laos skipper Chony Wenpaserth weaved his way past the Brunei backline to score in what proved to be the winner between the two sides.
National under-16 football coach Stephen Ng Heng Seng was pleased with the showing of his charges despite the setback.
“The boys played with discipline and determination as we could match the Laos players in every department especially in all 1v1 situations during the game,” said Ng in a press statement from NFABD.
“The second half was a very tight game with each team limited to a few chances but the better exposure of the Laos players showed with the only goal they scored after an individual brilliant solo goal by the Laos striker,” he added.
“We lost the game but take the positives with the strong performance by our younger players that travelled for this tournament,” concluded Ng.
Brunei will next face Thailand on Wednesday followed by a meeting against Malaysia two days later.
They will then complete group stage play against Singapore next Tuesday.
