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KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Brunei has withdrawn from Asia's premier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.