Kuching: Macau striker Leong Ka Hang believes Brunei Darussalam are the strongest team in the ongoing AFC Solidarity Cup Malaysia 2016 and is hoping his side will meet the ASEAN side to develop himself further as a player.
Macau and Brunei are the only sides to have qualified for the semi-finals so far, with the Macanese booking the last-four spot with a 4-1 come-from-behind win over Laos at Sarawak Stadium on Sunday.
Khamphanh Sonthanalay gave Laos the lead just three minutes into the game but goals from Lao Pak Kin and Leong put Macau in front before a double by Nicholas Tarrao secured their second win in a row.
Macau now lead Group B with six points from their opening two games and are confirmed winners of the group.
“I hope we will meet Brunei in the competition, they’re a strong and fast team and I think it will be difficult to beat them. In fact, I think it’s the strongest team in the competition.
“Playing a strong team like Brunei is good because it develops you and I hope I can improve further by taking on tough opposition.”
Scoring against Laos is like deja vu for the 26-year-old as his younger side beat the Laotians 4-3 in the AFC U-19 Championship 2010 qualifiers with Leong bagging all four goals in the match.
Scoring the goals against the ASEAN side in the match seven years also ago boosted Leong with confidence going into the Laos tie in the AFC Solidarity Cup.
“I kind of expected to win again against Laos as seven years ago we beat them in the AFC U-19 Championship 2010 qualifiers back in 2009. The goals that I made there give me a lot of confidence going into the game here in Kuching and I was looking forward to scoring again, which I did.
“And I didn’t expect us to beat Laos 4-1 tonight because they are stronger now. We were a bit slow in the first half but we made better finishing in the second half and that’s what got us the win in the game.”
