| Fadhil Yunus |
BRUNEI Darussalam have been drawn in Group ‘B’ in the 2017 Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-18 Youth Championship in Myanmar from September 4-17.
The young Wasps have been drawn alongside host nation Myanmar, Vietnam, New Zealand, Indonesia and Philippines.
New Zealand have been invited in the tournament while reigning holders Australia are the only member association absent.
The Socceroos’ notable absence means that a new champion will be crowned on September 17 with regional powerhouses Thailand again installed as favourites.
Group ‘A’ see Thailand chasing for a historic fifth title, grouped with Malaysia, Timor Leste, Laos, Cambodia and Singapore.
The young Wasps will begin their campaign against Philippines on September 5 before meeting Indonesia on September 7.
Brunei take on New Zealand on September 9 before facing Vietnam two days later and will conclude their group stage with an encounter against Myanmar on September 13.
The young Wasps will be hoping to avenge their narrow 2-1 defeat against the Azkals in the 2015 edition in Vientiane.
Brunei did not participate in the last edition when it was then known as an under-19 age level and last featured in 2015 when they finished bottom of Group ‘A’ without a single point.
Meanwhile, another national youth team have been drawn in Group ‘B’ in the 2017 AFF Under-15 Youth Championship which will be held in Thailand from July 9-22.
The national youth team have been drawn alongside Vietnam, Cambodia, Timor Leste, Malaysia and Philippines.
Brunei will play their games at the Chonburi Campus Stadium and Princess Sirindhorn Stadium in Chonburi.
The young Wasps lost all their games in the previous edition failing to notch a single goal though they showed a valiant effort of losing to Thailand with the bare minimum.
Brunei will play Timor Leste on July 10, Vietnam on July 12, Malaysia on July 14 and Cambodia on July 16 before completing their group stage matches against Philippines on July 18.
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