POSER OVER BRUNEI’S PARTICIPATION IN AFF FUTSAL

The Brunei side surprised everyone by qualifying for the semi-finals after thrashing the much-fancied Laos side 6-1, but were denied a place in the final after losing to Indonesia 8-1 in the semis.

They completed the tournament as the fourth best team after losing to Malaysia in the battle for bronze at the event held in Bangkok last August.

But this time round, the Brunei lads are not even sure if they will be going to this year’s tournament in Vietnam because of the complexities which have arisen over the deregistration of Brunei Darussalam Football Association (Bafa) and the status of the Football Federation of Brunei Darussalam (FFBD) which has yet to be recognised by FIFA.

The Ho Chi Minh City-based Thanh Long Sports Centre will host this year’s AFF Futsal Championships from 8-14 June and Brunei have been placed in Group B alongside hosts Vietnam, East Timor and the Philippines.

It has been understood that Bafa has been given until the end of this month to get reinstated by the Registrar of Societies or risk plunging Brunei football into a world of international isolation.

Because of the sensitivity of the matter, Futsal officials in the know have been hesitant to disclose any information regarding the team’s participation in this year’s premier regional Futsal meet.

However, one of the officials, who was a part of the team last year, is willing to reveal that the side are practising hard for the tournament.

“We are not sure if we can participate or not because of the situation with Bafa,” said the official who wished to remain anonymous.

The official said that it would be a pity if the Sultanate could not compete in Vietnam as it was a safe bet that they would advance to the semi-finals because of the lack of quality opponents in their group.

Group A pits powerhouses Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar.