BY James Kon & Fadhil Yunus

Brunei Darussalam’s football team is ready to take on Timor Leste in the qualifying rounds of the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022 (AMEC 2022), held in two legs at the Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex, Berakas.

The first leg will be held on November 5 with the match scheduled to kick-off at 3.45pm while the second leg, slated for November 8, at 2.30pm.

The winning team will compete in the AMEC2022 Group Stage set to run from December 20 to January 16, 2023.

Brunei’s’ National Head Coach Mario Rivera Campesino in a press conference on Monday shared, “We are ready to face Timor Leste in this big tournament at our home ground. We will give all our best to try to win.”

On the preparation of the team, he said, “Our preparation could be better. The COVID-19 situation has impacted the players’ fitness and is not the best, however, I felt that the team still has enough fitness level to compete.”

He also said some players are injured and some have contracted COVID-19 and the final selected full team list is still being finalised.

Mario Rivera Campesino also touched on the opponent, saying, “Timor Leste has been playing well and has improved. Some of their young players are good, however, may lack experience.”

Meanwhile, Executive Committee members of FABD Morni Zakaria spoke on Brunei’s preparation in hosting the qualifying rounds of the AMEC 2022. “Preparation has been done. We are only waiting for officials from AFF to arrive.

“I hope that our team will win their matches in home ground and local football fans are welcome to watch and support our national team in action.”

EXCO member Bujang bin Haji Japar, FABD Media Standing Committee Deputy Chairman Haji Johari bin Haji Awang Achee and Technical Director Paul Christopher Munster were also present.

Tickets for the matches will be on sale from November 3 at the FABD House and on match days at the venue itself, with the first 200 buyers to earn FABD merchandise.

Fans are urged to adhere with the government regulations and advice of healthcare.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin