PHNOM PENH (27 Dec 2011) – The organisers of the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy 2012 have offered USD 15,500 as reward for the champions in the tournament slated for 25 February to 5 March. The runners up stand to win USD 7,700 with the team coming in third picking up USD 3,800.
The competition which is for players under the age of 21-years-old is being held only for the fourth time after 2002, 2005 and 2007. The tournament was not held in 2009 following the suspension imposed on the Brunei Amateur Football Association (BAFA) by FIFA.
The suspension was lifted in May this year and where after the formation of the new National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD), the HBT is now being re-organised.
In the meantime, Cambodia are hard at work under chief coach Lee Tae Hoon. A total of 33 players have been in training at the National Football Centre in Cheng Meng in the outskirts of Phnom Penh. The team has since been trimmed down to just 25 players before the final cut to 18.
“The South Korean coach will also make some changes following his observations during the upcoming matches of the Hun Sen Cup in Phnom Penh,” Cambodia assistant coach Ieng Saknida added.
Indonesia were the winners in 2002 while Thailand have won the title in 2005 and 2007.
