| Fadhil Yunus |
BRUNEI Darussalam coach Mike Wong is confident that his team stand a chance of beating Laos if they replicate their second half display in the Cambodia loss in their final group match in the AFF Suzuki Cup qualifiers at the RSN Stadium in Phnom Penh today.
Wong, who famously guided the national team to a historic first ever win in a World Cup qualifying match last year against Chinese Taipei, has indicated that they managed to shrug off a shaky start in the first half.
“I thought in the first half (against Cambodia) we were a bit shaky. We tried a new formation and it did not work and we lost two goals too early,” Wong was quoted as saying to the AFF Suzuki Cup website.
Defender Asnawi Syazni Aziz made his international debut and helped shore the defence in the second half after making way for Shafie Effendy.
“In the second half, we did better. If we carry that second half into the next game (against Laos) we can win. I definitely think we will win,” asserted the coach.
Brunei’s Rosmin Kamis (right) and Cambodia’s Tith Dina vie for the ball.
Brunei Darussalam, who will start the tie in third place, have their odds stacked against them needing to win by four goals without reply while hoping that Timor Leste do them a huge favour by beating Cambodia by three clear goals.
Laos, who are in a slightly better position, also carry a glimmer of hope but need to win by two clear goals assuming that already eliminated Timor Leste end their group with a three-goal winning margin.
The Singaporean insisted that they are not poles apart from the teams chasing for the sole qualifying berth.
“If you look at the four teams, we’re all at a similar level. Of course Cambodia has the home advantage but Timor Leste are still strong.
“We did ourselves proud and I’m proud of the boys. We kept a clean sheet in the second half which was a positive,” he added.
Defender Yura Indera Putera will be suspended for the clash following his dismissal in the Cambodia game.
Cambodia are in pole position of securing a spot to the main tournament at co-hosts Myanmar next month needing only a draw to be assured of qualification.
Meanwhile, Brunei Darussalam have been drawn in Group ‘A’ alongside Nepal and Timor Leste in the AFC Solidarity Cup which will be held next month in Malaysia.
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