BY Fadhil Yunus

A total of 32 teams, comprising 15 from the Brunei Super League (Division I) and 17 from district leagues (Division II), will participate in the latest instalment of the FA Cup, said the Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD) on Tuesday.

The FA Cup, which has not been held since Kota Rangers were crowned champions in 2019, will start on August 6 and is expected to conclude on November 27.

Chairman of the Standing Football Competition Committee Morni bin Zakaria said, “As what we have been informed, the Brunei Super League (BSL) was abandoned following the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Alhamdulillah, starting from June 1, the authorities have allowed sports activities including football,” he added.

The FABD through the Competition Committee has taken the initiative to hold the FA Cup for 2022 as the BSL season could not be completed.

Morni said the winners of the FA Cup will be eligible to represent the country in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup 2023, which spot is usually filled by the winner of the domestic league.

The chairman said, “Through the initiative from FABD and AFC, we are able to send a FA Cup winner as a representative in the AFC Cup 2023.”

The competition will initially be contested in a group stage format with four teams divided into eight groups. Each team will play a minimum of three matches.

The quarterfinals and semi-finals will be contested in a home and away format excluding the final.

Morni also said that spectators must comply with standard operating procedures (SOPs) including wearing face masks and taking an antigen rapid test before entering the match venues.

The chairman added that they had informed teams to prepare in advance which will also give them time to recruit new players.

The team draw is expected to be held on June 20.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin