Brunei to defend title for ASEAN Youth Football Championship

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Xinhua) - Brunei begins its defense of the 2014 Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT), which will be held from August 9 to 23.

Brunei has been drawn into the so called Group of Death 'Group B' alongside ASEAN football powerhouse Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore in the bi-annual tournament.

Meanwhile, Timor Leste, Laos, the Philippines, Myanmar and Thailand are in Group A. Only top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.

Brunei beat arch rival Indonesia 2-0 in the 2012 final to clinch the title. Indonesia, however, did not send a team to participate in this tournament due to the start of their local Under 21 league in the country.

The tournament is organized by the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports (MCYS) in collaboration with the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam.

The Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy for ASEAN Youth Football Championship, is the tournament for youth players in South East Asia. It was opened to football players from ASEAN member states under the age of 21 years old. The tournament is initiated by His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah back in 1997 and the first tournament was won by Indonesia in 2002.

Present as the guest of honour to grace the draw ceremony on Saturday was the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) President, His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah and his son YAM Pg Muda 'Abdul 'Aleem. Also present in the ceremony was the Minister of Culture Youth and Sports, Pehin Dato Hj Hazair.