BY Fadhil Yunus

Brunei Darussalam national under-20 team left the country on Wednesday to take part in the upcoming Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers Uzbekistan 2023 from September 14 to 18.

The Young Wasps were drawn in Group ‘J’ alongside United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran and designated hosts Kyrgyzstan, with matches set to be staged at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek.

The Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD) recently announced a 23-member strong squad for the qualifier.

The goalkeepers in the squad are DPMM FC’s Mohd Riyan Aiman bin Jali; Kasuka FC’s Muhammad Ammar Rawi bin Abdul Suwardy; and Mohd Danish Aiman bin Mardiani.

The defenders are dominated by a contingent from Almerez FT including Mohammad Naqiuddin bin Abdullah; Abdul Hafiy bin Herman; Mohd Hadif Mansur bin Haji Zulkarman; and Md Syaherrul Affendy Md Syahmirul Nizam. Indera SC’s duo Maverick Lim Soon Heng and Mohammad Hirman bin Haji Abdul Latip; and Kota Ranger sole representative Awangku Shad Maymoun Jamalillail bin Pengiran Haji Jaafar also made the squad.

The midfielders are DPMM FC quartet Muhd Wafiq Danish Mohd Hasimulabdillah, Muhd Danisyh Syariee Mohd Masrazni; Muhd Hakeme Yazid bin Said; and Awangku Muhd Ali Munawwar bin Pengiran Abd Rahman; Kasuka FC’s trio Mohd Eddy Shahrol Izzat bin Haji Omar; Awangku Md Idzzaham Aleshahmezan Pengiran Metali; and Ahmad Danish Joini; KB FC’s Muhd Syafiq bin Abdullah Mohd Ghazali; IKLAS – MB5 FC’s Muhammad Haziq Naqiuddin bin Syamra; and Almerez FT’s Awangku Hadi Ihsan bin Pengiran Hamizal.

Meanwhile, the forwards comprise Kasuka FC’s duo Muhammad Bazli bin Aminuddin; Mohd Azhari Danial bin Haji Mohd Yusra; and DPMM FC’s Muhd Baihaqi Yusop bin Arabimulfhasal.

The delegation will be led by Team Manager Mohammad Nazib bin Awang Haji Ali with Haji Faizalani bin Haji Abdul Ghani serving as Head Coach and includes Assistant Coach David Lee Keen Lam; Fitness Coach Haji Ameer Aziz Hakim bin Haji Abd Lani; Goalkeeper Coach Pengiran Omar Nur Aqamaddin bin Pengiran Haji Sallehuddin; Kitman Officer Roney bin Morni; and COVID-19 Liaison Officer Mohd Hasimulabdillah bin Hussin.

The Young Wasps will take on UAE on September 14, Iran two days later and Kyrgyzstan on September 18.

FABD President Pengiran Matusin bin Pengiran Haji Matasan along with Executive Committee members sent the team off at the Brunei International Airport.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin