BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
BRUNEI will now have an easier route to qualify for the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup.
The Wasps will only have to play Timor Leste in a two-legged qualifier - home and away - slated to be held during the FIFA calendar week from Sept 3-11 next year to make it into the main competition.
The winner will join nine other teams, where they will then be separated into two groups of five, for the main competition from Nov 8 - Dec 15.
The change of format to the tournament was announced during the 12th AFF Council Meeting in Bali, Indonesia on Sept 23.
The sultanate previously had to battle other lower ranked teams in the region for a spot in the tournament proper, where their only appearance remains that in 1996 when they competed in the inaugural edition.
Previous editions saw teams based in two countries (co-hosts) but the new format will see them play in a home and away basis.
Brunei vs Timor Leste Previous Results
| Date | Competition | Location | Score |
| Nov 12, 2006 | 2007 AFF Championship qualifiers | Philippines | 3-2 |
| Oct 21, 2008 | 2008 AFF Championship qualifiers | Cambodia | 4-1 |
| Oct 9, 2012 | 2012 AFF Championship qualifiers | Myanmar | 2-1 |
| Oct 12, 2014 | 2014 AFF Championship qualifiers | Laos | 2-4 |
| Oct 15, 2016 | 2016 AFF Championship qualifiers | Cambodia | 2-1 |
| Nov 2, 2016 | AFC Solidarity Cup | Malaysia | 4-0 |
