| Fadhil Yunus |
BRUNEI Darussalam will be looking to correct their errors by studying video footage from their three matches in the recently concluded Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup qualifiers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The national team, who finished third in the four-team group, showed indications of progress with their competitive displays in all of the games but there is still considerable work to be done especially looking at the state of the team deprived of international experience.
Brunei Darussalam team manager Haji Mohd Noor Haji Abdul Hamid emphasised that international football is a major step-up compared to the domestic league football as they are exposed to a much higher level of playing standard.
“The players should adapt to the style of play commonly seen in international football which is vastly different than local football.
“The international players are very quick, they are known for producing good movement and are quick-thinking while we are still catching up,” said Haji Mohd Noor in an interview upon their arrival at the Brunei International Airport last Saturday.
“We will devise a new strategy focusing on tactical work and look at ways on how to correct errors with the aid of video footage,” he continued.
The Wasps were forced to rotate the squad following injuries sustained by first-team players Najib Haji Tarif and Nur Ikhmal Damit in the opening group fixture against Timor Leste.
“Because of injury, we have to involve new players though we managed to compete,” the team manager said.
The Brunei Darussalam national team in a group picture upon arrival at the Brunei International Airport on Saturday night. – FADHIL YUNUS
He admitted that they were holding on for the victory and had to overcome mental fatigue in the 2-1 win over Timor Leste.
Haji Mohd Noor said that they had to utilise three different strategies to accommodate the players stepping in with Faiq Jefri Bolkiah and Adi Said retaining their places as the focal line of attack.
“A lot of players were suffering from injuries so we had to make the changes by assembling a five-man defence in the Cambodia game.”
The team manager also revealed the team was playing in an artificial ground under the glaring lights to an extent where they could not see the ball clearly against Cambodia who were backed by vociferous home support.
Haji Mohd Noor added that continuous training will be held in preparation for the upcoming Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Solidarity Cup next month with the likelihood of bringing in fresh faces.
He also hinted that Leicester City prospect Faiq, who will be back in the East Midlands to resume the season, will not be linking up with the squad for the newly-launched competition.
Meanwhile, it is still early to bring in midfielder Azwan Ali Rahman who is side-lined by injury.
Haji Mohd Noor concluded that it will be a tough test to play against group opponents Nepal and Timor Leste in the upcoming AFC Solidarity Cup which will be contested in Malaysia.
Present to welcome the national team at the airport were Haji Madli bin Mohamad Yusuf, Acting Deputy President of the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) and Pengiran Mohd Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud, Acting General Secretary of NFABD as well as other senior members from NFABD.
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