The Brunei Darussalam national football team will begin their quest to reach the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024 when they face Timor-Leste in a two-legged qualification round tie next week.
The Wasps will host the first leg at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium on October 8 with the reverse leg set to be staged at the Chonburi Stadium in Mueang Chonburi, Thailand on October 15.
Current DPMM FC coach Jamie McAllister has overseen training as they seek to reach the group stage phase of the competition for a second consecutive edition.
The country marked a milestone when they advanced to the group stage phase during the previous edition for the first time since 1996 – their sole appearance.
During the last qualifying, Brunei put one foot on the main draw after blowing away Timor-Leste 6-2 in the first leg and ultimately sealed their progress despite a 1-0 loss in the second leg.
The national team will head into the tie with a five-game unbeaten run having enjoyed victories over Vanuatu, twice against Sri Lanka and Macau during the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualification playoff round.
Brunei’s sole defeat in an official international match this year only came in a 2-0 defeat against Bermuda last March in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Under the guidance of then interim head coach Rui Capela Batista and Jamie McAllister, the ASEAN Football Federation minnows have enjoyed a clean sheet in the last four matches.
The Wasps’ current form have allowed them to climb seven places in the FIFA rankings- the most improved nation in the latest rankings- to 183rd. – Fadhil Yunus
