| Fadhil Yunus |
BRUNEI Darussalam Under-22 national team will start their SEA Games campaign against Malaysia in their own backyard in the Group ‘A’ opener at the Shah Alam Stadium on August 14.
The youthful Wasps fell to a 2-0 defeat to this year’s host during their previous meeting in Singapore which saw the heavily-fancied young Harimau Muda surprisingly knocked out in the group stage.
But they will face a Malaysia side eager not only for an improved performance but also to reach the final in front of their home crowd.
The squad list has already been released with a number of players featured in the 28th SEA Games returning to the competition.
Brunei Darussalam’s most high-profile player Faiq Jefri Bolkiah, who was rated by well-known football online portal FourFourTwo as one of the hot prospects in Southeast Asia, has been selected in the squad.
The squad also included DPMM FC players Awangku Yura Indera Putera bin Pengiran Yunos, Md Hanif Hamir and Azim Izamuddin bin Haji Suhaimi.
Meanwhile, the trio of Md Asnawi Syazni bin Abdul Aziz, Md Shafie bin Haji Md Effendy and Suhaimi Anak Sulau will be returning to the SEA Games after making appearances in Singapore in 2015.
The team coach Kwon Oh-son recently led his charges in the AFC Under-23 Championship qualifiers.
Brunei will then face Myanmar before resuming their rivalry with Laos in what would be their fourth consecutive meeting at the region’s most prestigious multi-sporting competition.
Brunei will play Myanmar at the UiTM Stadium on August 18 and are scheduled to play Laos at the UM Arena Stadium on August 21.
The youthful Wasps will conclude their group stage against Singapore at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur on August 23.
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