Brunei withdraws from Tiger Cup

Brunei withdraws from Tiger Cup

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Brunei has withdrawn from Asia's premier football tournament, the Tiger Cup, being held in Thailand between Nov. 4 and 18, the Asean Football Federation (AFF) said Wednesday.

"It is unfortunate that Brunei will not be competing in this tournament," said AFF secretary Paul Mony Samuel in a statement.

The AFF said it was informed by the Football Association of Brunei in a letter of its intention to withdraw "due to unforeseen circumstances".

Paul said any changes to Group A, in which Brunei was due to compete, would only be decided in Bangkok on Oct. 8.

Brunei had been drawn alongside Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar and the Philippines. The defending champion Singapore is in Group B along with Vietnam, Malaysia, Laos and Cambodia.

Brunei's withdrawal means only nine teams would contest the Tiger Cup for the first time since 1996.

The Tiger Cup, which usually features the ten countries of South East Asia, is played every two years. The 2002 tournament has been awarded to Indonesia and Cambodia is scheduled to play host in 2004.