BY Fadhil Yunus

Brunei Darussalam’s under-17 football team extended an unwanted run of double-digit losses following a 10-0 defeat to South Korea in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers at the Pakhtakor Central Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan last weekend.

The result marked a fifth straight defeat this year – the fourth by a margin of 10 goals or more – for the beleaguered national age group side since staging a return to competitive international football amid recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Goals have come dry too with the national junior side drawing blanks in the last five matches, while all players in the current team are yet to open their account in the international scene.

South Korea young midfielder Kang Juhyeok enjoyed a five-goal return including the opening goal of the game when he headed the ball into the back of the net.

Brunei could not clear their lines in the box and Hwang Ji-Sung doubled their lead with a cool finish after the ball fell invitingly to him four minutes later.

In a carbon copy of the opening goal, the Young Wasps were found wanting from a set-piece as Kang powered home a header to double his tally.

It was far too easy for the Young Taegeuk Warriors as Yoo Byungheon nodded home a header following an appetising cross by Oh Juan in the half an hour mark.

Kang completed his hat-trick three minutes later with a third successive header as a set-piece caused Brunei’s problems yet again.

The FC Seoul player netted his fourth goal of the game before Yoon Do-yong added his name on the score-sheet. Kim Bum-hwan converted from the spot in the 63rd minute and there was still time for Kang to add a fifth for his personal tally three minutes from time.

South Korea defender Ko Jonghyun ensured another double-digit loss for Brunei after finding the net in added time.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin