BY Fadhil Yunus

The Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD) has called local futsal clubs to be prepared ahead of the Brunei Futsal Cup 2022 next month.

In his welcoming remarks during a draw ceremony at the Multipurpose Hall, FABD House last night, FABD President Pengiran Haji Matusin bin Pengiran Haji Matasan said, “Futsal competitions had to be cancelled last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Nevertheless, we recognise that futsal represents one of the tournaments that will be organised by the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) and subsequently the Asian Football Confederation (AFC),” Pengiran Haji Matusin said.

“Accordingly, FABD has made appropriate and tidy preparations. The committee has convened and made preparations to organise the futsal competition simply to see how far the preparedness of our local teams before facing competitions at the international level.”

The winners of the Brunei Futsal Cup will act as the country’s representative in the upcoming AFF Futsal Club Championship which will be hosted by Thailand.

“AFF will be organising the AFF Futsal Club Championship. The Brunei Futsal Cup will serve as preparation with the intention of choosing the winning club which will represent the country. It is more important for teams to make tidy preparations to represent FABD and directly represent Brunei Darussalam.”

He added FABD also expressed hopes that the participating teams will give their full focus towards their fight and produce a showing which can be proud of.

Sixteen teams will be divided into four groups of four with the top two teams from each group advancing into the knock-out stage starting with the quarterfinals.

Participating teams learnt their group allocations after a draw was conducted last night.

Group ‘A’ comprise MS ABDB, Shah United, GG FT and Creativol while Group ‘B’ include BIBD, Kasuka/Ar Rawda, RS FT and DDT FT.

Kota Ranger, Almerez, Silveredz FT and PES occupy Group ‘C’ while Arbisyam FC, Street United, Syahkampong FT and Qahar FT complete Group ‘D’.

The much-anticipated tournament will kick off on July 2 and is set to conclude on July 19.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin