BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (24 July 2014) – Kwon Oh-son, the head coach of Brunei, was satisfied with the official draw for the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy 2014, when they were drawn in Group B of the biennial championship.
Defending champions Brunei have been drawn in Group B against Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.
Group A are Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Timor Leste and two-time champions Thailand.
“Both groups are very tough but I think it is a very good draw for Brunei,” said Oh-son. “Vietnam and Singapore are strong and we have not heard much from Cambodia, but they can be a surprise too.”
Along the same breath, Oh-son pointed out that twice champions Thailand (2005 and 2007) and also Myanmar would be the top contenders to win the title this year.
“I see Thailand and Myanmar as the top contenders in this tournament, so it is good that they are in the other group,” he quipped.
HASSANAL BOLKIAH TROPHY 2014 Groupings
GROUP A: Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Timor Leste, Thailand
GROUP B: Indonesia, Brunei, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam
PREVIOUS CHAMPIONS
2002: Indonesia
2005: Thailand
2007: Thailand
2012: Brunei
