THE National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) will be organising its second-ever Under-12 tournament at NFABD House’s Artificial Field on October 1.
The half-day tournament, which comes on the back of the success of the first tournament on September 5, will see several changes made to the rules to align them with that used in Europe and other continents to develop players’ passing game and improve their quality of football.
The changes were discussed during the tournament draw and managers meeting at NFABD House today.
As opposed to the seven-minute halves in the first tournament, games will be played over two six-minute halves on October 1.
The upcoming tournament is limited to players born in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Players who have given copies of their birth certificate during the first tournament will receive a playing card and do not have to register with their birth certificates.
Among other changes include amendments to throw-ins and goalkeeping – both made in order to encourage the players to pass the ball more.
Throw-ins will be played with the foot, and with the ball placed on the line, the player can pass or dribble but cannot score a goal directly from the throw-in.
Goalkeepers who have the ball in their hand cannot kick the ball, and all clearances by hand and goal-kicks by goalkeepers cannot exceed the middle of the field. The goalkeeper has five seconds to play the ball.
As in the first tournament, the offside rule will remain.
A calling zone – an area outside the pitch – has now been created, allowing the teams which are to play next to assemble two minutes before their game – thus making it easier for them to enter the pitch when it is their turn to play and ensure that the tournament runs on schedule.
In an effort to promote fair play, the teammembers will shake hands with each other and the referee both before and after the match – with the officials on both benches doing the same.
As in the first tournament, the 16 participating teams have been divided into four groups of four and each team will play each other once in the first round.
In the second round, the four teams finishing first will play in one group, and likewise for the teams finishing second, third and fourth.
The champion will be the team which wins the first group.
NFABD also encourages teams to participate with young referees (12- to 20-year) in the tournament. This will serve as a learning process for the young referees and help them get involved in youth competitions and activities.
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