Playing In M-League Is Good For Brunei, Says Brunei FA President

KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 (Bernama) -- Brunei's Under-21 squad that won the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT), can improve further by playing in the Malaysian League, says Brunei National Football Association (NFABD) honorary president, Prince Sufri Bolkiah. "If we want to improve, we have to (look at playing in the Malaysian League). The more they play overseas, the better they will be," Prince Sufri was quoted by the Asean Football Federation (AFF) website. "NFABD is looking into it. We are still in the planning stages," he added. The Sultan of Brunei last week had decreed that the victorious HBT squad form the nucleus of the Brunei national football team under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. Brunei's U-21 squad won the HBT after beating Indonesia 2-0 in the fourth edition final of the biennial tournament held in Bandar Seri Begawan, last month. The Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports in January did not rule out the possibility of inviting Brunei to participate in the M-League again in an effort to strengthen ties between the two countries through sports. Its minister, Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and the NFABD could create a mechanism to enable Brunei's participation. Brunei played in the M-League (then known as Semi-Pro League) from 1989-1993 before joining the Singapore League in 2009. Brunei last won the Malaysia Cup in 1999 after beating Sarawak 2-1 at the Merdeka Stadium. -- BERNAMA