Young ASEAN football players arrive Vientiane for AFF U-16 competition

VIENTIANE (5 July 2011) – Vietnam and the Malaysia were among the first teams to arrive ahead of the AFF Under-16 Championship which will be held on 7-20 July 2011.

And following their arrival this afternoon, the two teams were given the chance to get a taste of the National Stadium – the venue of the SEA Games last year.

Vietnam took to the pitch first at 3pm before the Malaysians took over an hour later and then followed by Thailand.

Defending champions Vietnam are confident of retaining the crown they won last year after beating China where this time round, they are placed in Group B against Myanmar, Singapore, Cambodia and Philippines.

The Malaysians in the meantime, spent the last week in Chonburi in Thailand where they trained and played two friendly matches.

After the arrivals of Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand, the other teams to checked in were Cambodia and Timor Leste (pix).

Singapore, Myanmar and Indonesia will arrive later tonight while the Philippines will fly in only tomorrow night.

“They’re still young, so we don’t want to burden them with the goal of winning the tournament,” said Rahim Soekasah from the PSSI Youth Committee.

“For the team, this tournament is a stepping-stone before playing on a bigger stage, the AFC Under-19 Championship, which will start in October.”

The team managers’ meeting will be held tomorrow morning.

AFF U16 CHAMPIONSHIP 2011
VIENTIANE, LAOS
7 – 20 JULY 2011

Group A
1. Laos
2.Thailand
3.Malaysia
4.Timor Leste
5.Indonesia