NEARLY 30 school kids are training under the watchful eyes of ex-national team captain Liew Chuan Fue with hopes of representing Brunei at the Asean Schools Under-15 football tournament in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Though not all of them were at yesterday’s session at Berakas Secondary School because of an inter-school football competition, the coach said the team would be back to full strength soon.
National players train for the Asean Schools Under-15 football tournament in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. (Above) ex-national team captain Liew Chuan Fue. Pictures: BT/ Jefrisalas
The squad will be trimmed down to 20 players a few weeks before the tournament starts in July so the boys know that now is the perfect time to prove their worth.
Despite winning the 1999 Malaysia Cup, Liew remains humble and prefers to let his assistant do the talking.
“The boys have been training since Feb 17 and we have been working on their passing and fitness,” said Tajul Ariffin Sumpong.
“We sourced the players from the National Under-14 Football League organised by the Football Federation of Brunei Darussalam (FFBD) and also from various schools in the country.
“We always go to the league matches to look for players.
“Many of the boys are from Projek Ikan Pusu (the national grassroots football team) and Muara Vella FC Academy,” he added.
Tajul also said that the players would train twice a day heading into the tournament, which will be the fifth time Brunei are competing in.
Friendly matches with teams such as Brunei Youth (Under-16) are also in the works.
Brunei reached the quarter-finals of last year’s tournament in Sabah, Malaysia, losing out for a place in the last four after falling 2-1 to Vietnam in the 10-team competition.
Indonesia edged Thailand 1-0 in last year’s final and the assistant coach maintains they are still the teams to beat.
“Indonesia and Thailand, they are always the favourites,” said Tajul.
“Our boys are full of confidence since they will be playing for the country,” he added.
Both Liew and Tajul are employed by the Department of Co-Curriculum Education.
According to Liew, Brunei will be hosting the 2011 edition of the Asean Schools Under-18 tournament.
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