Brunei Darussalam’s national football team arrived home to a heroes’ welcome and a rousing applause yesterday following their heroic 3-2 victory against Vanuatu during a FIFA Series 2024 international match.
Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD) President Haji Feisal bin Haji Eusoff Patail said, “We are finding a way to overcome the challenges in football and Insya Allah, we will prove to the nation.”
The president shared they had meetings with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) adding that they had provided a positive input. He added SAFF, FIFA and Asian Football Confederation is providing support to football-related matters and that the FABD will monitor any issues pertaining to football.
Meanwhile, national head coach Mario Rivera Campesino said, “Hopefully, the young players can get the support they deserve and they can play for the next 13-14 years. If they can get 10-12 international games every year, maybe in two to three years the performances of the national team will be very different.”
Mario praised national star Hakeme Yazid Said who contributed with all three goals including his 93rd minute match-winner.
“Hakeme is very important and he is young. He still have to learn but his skills and ability with the ball are amazing and also his effort. He can play in different positions,” he said.
The head coach also revealed that the forward can pursue a professional career overseas.
Mario also pointed the understanding between Hakeme Yazid and his current teammates especially during their time with the national youth teams adding that they form a good base for the future.
He added, “We hope to keep going and with more support, we will have a better level in the future.
“The new generation is very good. They have very good tactical play, good passes and they love to play. They overcome all the problems and they try to learn and listen,” he said. “It is not easy because in 2023, we have to change one of the best generations of Brunei.” – Fadhil Yunus
