| Fadhil Yunus |
FORMER semi-finalists Lao PDR have insisted that they are not one of the favourites to win the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy for Asean Youth Football Tournament 2018 which officially begins tonight.
Despite the absence of the established order, Lao head coach Mehmet Kale underlined the need to mount a serious tilt to their naturally strong regional rivals in the youth-level competition.
“For the Lao team, Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ doesn’t matter because we are not favourites in any way. We are here to compete but we will try to challenge as much as we can and we will do our best,” said the team head coach Mehmet Kale in an interview with the media.
He has also shared his team’s chances against his Group ‘B’ rivals adding their main attributes in the team.
“Cambodia are technically and physically very strong. They have very good young players.
“But on the other side, Singapore are very organised because they are playing in the Singapore league as Young Lions. So both teams are not easy to play.”
Asked about their strategy in leading up to their first match, he said, “In a tournament like this, the first strategy is not to lose the first game so that’s the main idea.
“In a competition like this, there is no easy match. Even in Group ‘A’, there are four teams but it will all be very difficult matches.
“As far as Group ‘B’ is concerned, of course Cambodia and Singapore are favourites but we will try to do our best,” added the Turkish whose side’s best result was reaching the last four in 2005.
The current goalkeeping coach was also part of the Lao team that reached the last four in 2005 as a player.
Timor Leste head coach Eduardo Pereira has labelled Group ‘A’ opponents Thailand as a giant and is expecting enhanced preparations for Brunei Darussalam as the host nation.
“We also have our own preparations because we have also met (Thailand) last year in the SEA Games. They are a good team but we will see how their preparations are here.
“We are focussed on defence and if there is an opportunity I will use my players for the counter-attack,” added the head coach.
The ‘Little Samba Nation’ will be competing in the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy for a third time following their participation in 2012 and 2014.
“Our league is currently ongoing for a third time and it is an opportunity to select the young players,” said Eduardo.
Most of Timor Leste’s players are aged under-19 but they already gained experience playing in Division 1 in their national league.
Timor Leste striker Henrique Wilson may have only managed one goal in the previous tournament against Lao PDR, but is hoping to be more prolific this time around.
“I am more adamant now to score more goals in the tournament,” said the striker who plays his club football with Boavista Futebol Clube.
“Of course there will be pressure from the supporters but I will work as hard as I can to achieve victory tomorrow,” he said.
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