National Under-23 head coach Kwon Oh-son believes that the international friendly against Indonesia Under-23 on Thursday helped boost his players' confidence and team's spirit.

"I think the players' confidence is increasing after the Indonesia game... and I hope that we will be able to play in a number of friendly games before the tournament (SEA Games) starts," said Kwon in an interview with The Brunei Times upon the team's arrival at the Brunei International Airport in Berakas yesterday.

"We defended very well during the game and the players' stamina levels are also improving. Another positive thing is the squad looked very united and the team spirit is there," he said.

The national team lost 1-0 to the Indonesian side. Andi Inbo scored the only goal for the host five minutes into the second-half at the Yogyakarta's Maguwoharjo Stadium in Indonesia.

"Four of our players were injured after the friendly game, most of the players are not 100 per cent physically match ready, but they are getting there. After all it was their first international friendly match, so we need to go back to train and work very hard," added the South-Korean.

"Our team and the Indonesian team are currently (preparing) for the SEA Games in December. I think we have improved remarkably against a stronger opposition such as Indonesia.

"I also think that the addition of the three players from the DPMM FC helped us in many ways. The mood of the team was very harmonious and the players were becoming more and more confident. Being the senior players, the three players were very helpful to the rest of the team," said the coach.

"I would like to thank team manager Hj Feisal Hj Eusoff, the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) and the committee members for their help in setting up the friendly match," he added.

NFABD secretary Mohd Noor Hj Abdullah, who travelled with the national team to the friendly match, was also happy with the performance of the players in Indonesia.

"I am very proud with the performance of the players during the friendly game against Indonesia. The players put on a very good performance against the Indonesian side despite some of the players only joining the national squad days ago," he said.

"Playing away from home, in front of the 30, 000 supporters was never going to be easy for any of the players or any football team in the world, but I have to say our young footballers fought very well in the game."

Courtesy from Brunei Times