Singapore's Ali Hudzaifi Mohd Yusof (R) and Myanmar's Kaung Sithu chase the ball during their group stage game at the 2012 Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy. BTfile
The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) yesterday confirmed they will be sending a team to compete at this week's Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy in Brunei.
"FAS is pleased to announce that a team will be participating in the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy, an Under-21 youth football competition for teams in South East Asia," said FAS in a press release yesterday.
An 18-man squad, including four overage players, will be travelling to Bandar Seri Begawan for the August 9-23 tournament.. Tournament rules allow for five overage players to be registered, with only three overage players allowed to play at any one time.
"The Hassanal Bolkiah Cup is an important competition for our players as we can compete against our ASEAN Under-21 counterparts," said head coach Richard Bok, who will lead the team in Brunei. "We will be able to see where we stand following this competition, and it is also good for the players' long term development. The boys will give their best for Singapore," he added in the press release.
Singapore has been grouped with Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia in Group B. The team start their campaign against Vietnam on Saturday - the day also marking Singapore's National Day. Singapore will then face Cambodia on August 11 and Brunei on August 13.
Singapore played one friendly match, a 2-0 win against the Philippines at the Yishun Stadium in Singapore two weeks ago, in their lead up to the HBT. The team is expected to arrive tomorrow. Former Warriors FC trainer Bok is the most successful Singapore League (S-League) coach having led his team to four straight S-League from 2006 to 2010.
He also won the Singapore Cup three times.