Caption: National under-18 football team Takao Fujiwara is not getting carried away by their opening win against the Philippines. Picture: Courtesy of Myanmar Football Federation
Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
NATIONAL under-18 football coach Takao Fujiwara is staying grounded ahead of their Group B match against Vietnam at the AFF (ASEAN Football Federation) Under-18 Championship in Yangon, Myanmar tomorrow (4.30pm Brunei time).
Brunei opened their campaign with a 3-2 win over the Philippines, who Fujiwara felt had better technical abilities, and placed them top of Group B on better goal difference from Indonesia, who edged hosts Myanmar 2-1 in the other game yesterday.
Fujiwara feels that being top of the group for the time being is no reason for his players to be overconfident going into the next match.
“We can’t think too much about us topping the group now because this has only been one game,” said Fujiwara in a press release from NFABD.
“About the game against Vietnam, I cannot tell you my plan… But against the Philippines, I am proud of the players for winning the game and working hard.
“They played good but were very tired after the game, so recovery is important,” added the Japanese.
“Not many asked about us during the pre-tournament press conference, so I was kind of disappointed with that,” continued Fujiwara
“So I want this win to demonstrate to Bruneians that if we work hard, we can get something – and I am not just talking about results,” he stressed.
Indonesia will take on the Philippines in the other Group B game tomorrow.
The Sultanate will play hosts Myanmar on Saturday and end their group stage play against Indonesia on Wednesday.
