QAF FC For AFF Challenge
By Dannie Abu Basrah

Bandar Seri Begawan - QAF FC will be representing Brunei in the pre-qualifying round of the 2006 Asean Football Federation (AFF) Championship in Bacolod City, Philippines from Nov 12-20.

The team selected by Brunei Football Association (BAFA) left for Manila yesterday. The President of BAFA, Pehin Dr Hj Awg Hussain, was at the airport to wish them good luck.

For the qualifying round, Brunei are grouped alongside Cambodia, Timor Leste, Laos and host, the Philippines as the top two teams will play in the finals of the 2006 AFF Championship alongside already qualified Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar, Vietnam and Indonesia with the date yet to be announced.

QAF FC-led Brunei 18-man squad players are Mohd Khairol Amin bin Haji Zainuddin, Mohammad Sahan bin Mumtaz Ali, Edi Ruslan bin Haji Samad, Christopher Anak Ambon, Mohd Azwan bin Mohd Saleh, Shahbri bin Jalil, Ak Mohd Kamarul Ariffin bin Pg Ramlee. Riwandi Wahit, Mohd Hardyman bin Abdul Lamit, Mardi Anak Bujang, Hardi Anak Bujang, Mohd Adie Arsham bin Mohd Salleh, Ratano bin Hj Tuah,

Erwan, Erwan Shah bin Mohd Salleh, Mohd Faizul bin Ambotang, Samat bin Hj Sibau, Mohd Fadzry bin Ibrahim and Mod Sabri bin Mohd Alimin.

The Philippines, as host, will kick off the tournament against Laos on Sunday, Nov 12 in the afternoon followed by the second match between Timor Leste and Brunei.

Brunei will then have a three-day break before their next match on Thursday (Nov 16) when they take on Cambodia followed two days later against Laos (Nov 18) and the final group game against host Philippines on Monday (Nov 20) which could well be the decider.

According to team coach Ali Mustafa: "We will try to do the country proud and improve on our foot balling history and achievement from our participation in this competition.

Coach Ali also expects a greater challenge in the tournament to come from the likes of Cambodia but expect the toughest to be against the Philippines who have the back-up of their home supporters as host. "Apart from their home advantage, the Philippines too have shown improvement in the game," according to the coach.

"The just-concluded DPMM FC 4-team Football Championship have definitely been beneficial to us (QAF FC) in terms of preparation and I am glad with my players. I hope they can maintain their performance when we play in the AFF," he added. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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