Brunei Darussalam’s under-23 team left the Sultanate to participate in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 Qualifiers in Zarqa city, Jordan from September 6 to 12.
The Young Wasps have been drawn against designated group hosts Jordan, Syria and Oman in Group A.
They will begin their campaign against Jordan tomorrow before meeting two-time quarterfinalists Syria three days later and conclude their group stage against Oman on September 12.
The participating countries in the qualifiers will battle it out for a place in the main draw in Qatar from April 15 to May 3 next year.
Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD) President Pengiran Haji Matusin bin Pengiran Haji Matasan sent the team off and gave words of wisdom at the Brunei International Airport in Berakas.
It will be the under-23 team’s final competition of the year having participated in the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Under-23 Championship in Thailand last month.
The Young Wasps endured a tough stint during the regional meet losing all their group games with Wafiq Danish Hasimulabdillah the lone goal-scorer in a 4-1 defeat against Myanmar. The delegation is led by team manager Pengiran Haji Mohd bin Pengiran Setia Jaya Pengiran Haji Abdul Momin and accompanied by Assistant Team Manager Adee Suhardee Muhidin.
The team will also be under the guidance of head coach Atsushi Hanita who will undergo his second major assignment after the AFF meet.
All group stage matches will be played at the Prince Mohammed Stadium.
Eleven group winners and four best second-placed teams will join tournament hosts Qatar in the sixth edition of the continental competition at under-23 level. – Fadhil Yunus
