Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
AZWAN Ali Rahman is ready to lead Brunei at the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup qualifier against Timor Leste on Saturday.
The 26-year-old was named the captain of the 23-player squad as they departed the country for Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Azwan, who has 11 international caps, has found the net three times for the national team with all goals coming against Timor Leste (one goal at the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup qualifier and two goals at the 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup).
Azwan Ali Rahman has been named the Wasps' captain ahead of their AFF Suzuki Cup qualifier against Timor Leste. Picture: Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh
One of the youngest but most experienced members of the squad, Azwan Ali is unfazed and focused on the task ahead.
"My goal as the captain is to get the team to bring back the win," Azwan Ali told BruSports News yesterday.
"This is a huge responsibility for me and I would like to thank coach Kwon Oh-son for his trust.
"Everyone is a leader on the pitch and there are some senior players in the squad, so we need to go out there and do what we need to do to get the win," he added.
"There is nothing more important than a win if we want to qualify. It doesn't matter how we do it, we must get the win," continued Azwan Ali, who was only four years old when the Wasps made their only appearance in the main competition back in 1996.
National football coach Kwon Oh-son. Picture: Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh
The match on Saturday will be held at the Cheras Stadium after the Dili Stadium was deemed not suitable by officials.
Brunei will then host the second leg on Sept 8 at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
The winner will advance into Group B with defending champions Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines.
