| Fadhil Yunus |
LEICESTER City winger Faiq Jefri Bolkiah reached a new milestone in his exciting career after he was ranked as the top 20 under-20 Southeast Asian players by Four Four Two.
It was the second time that the Brunei captain was recognised in the region for his footballing qualities after he was ranked 15th as Goal’s top 20 Southeast Asian rising stars four years ago when he was in the ranks of Arsenal.
Faiq made it into the list after inspiring his team to a fourth-place finish in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Solidarity Cup and within a whisker of reaching the final only losing out to Macau penalty heartbreak.
The winger even nearly scored a sensational goal when he darted past three players with the goalkeeper well beaten before Macau scored the crucial spot-kick.
The Brunei international, who have been featuring consistently in the UEFA Youth League this season, has been a joy to watch with his mazy dribbling sending tremor to the region’s defences.
Faiq has been described as an “athletically powerful, technically gifted winger or forward” which is a true embodiment of the modern footballer who is comfortable in possession, hard-working in the attacking and defensive sides and someone who not only wants but also demands to be on the ball.
The winger offers an extra dimension of carving spaces in games helped by his technical talent, a rare gem in Brunei football.
Still only 18, Faiq has a long future ahead of him and could help inspire Brunei football even more such as his impact in the game.
Faiq has been a joy to watch with his mazy dribbling.
The Los Angeles-born player first tasted European football at youth level after starring for the Leicester champions in the 2-1 defeat to Club Brugge this season.
He also made an appearance against FC Copenhagen, the corresponding fixture against Club Brugge and FC Porto in his first season with the Foxes.
The Leicester starlet first burst into the scene after featuring in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-19 Championship before catching an eye for the Arsenal Under-16 in the 2013 Lion City Cup in Singapore.
He subsequently joined Chelsea before agreeing a switch to the current English champions in March 2016.
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