When Timor-Leste last qualified for the AFF Suzuki Cup almost half of the current squad had just started school and with that long, 14-year wait, finally over they are now preparing to prove the belong under the brightest lights on the regional stage.

Indeed, 2004 was the only previous time that the nation of barely one million people qualified for the regional showpiece and the team’s star forward, Henrique, has declared it was a dream come true as they pipped Brunei Darussalam last month to claim the tenth and final spot at the AFF Suzuki Cup.

“We are so happy and proud to be able to play at the AFF Suzuki Cup this year and you have to remember that for us this was such a long time coming.

 

“Every year we have been trying our best to qualify because it was our dream to play at the AFF Suzuki Cup.”

The 20-year-old forward has long been regarded as one of the most promising players to have emerged from the local ranks in Timor and having starred for O Sol Nascente at various youth levels he’s now ready to announce his talents on the regional platform.

“For me, this is a lifelong dream and I can now play against many great players in Asia.

“More than that though we must defend our country and you will see the best of our team at this tournament.”

Firmly pegged as underdogs by most in a tough group that contains the 2016 finalists Thailand and Indonesia as well as the Philippines and Singapore, Henrique believes that solid recent form – they drew 2-2 in Cambodia this week – means that his nation has nothing to fear.

“Through firstly qualifying and then the good result against Cambodia this week we have gained a lot of confidence.

“Of course we don’t have the same kind of experience as the other nations in the group who have played many times in the AFF Suzuki Cup but we will work hard to meet our targets.

“We know it’s not easy but we hope to be able to qualify from this group and show Southeast Asia about Timorese football.”

If they are to achieve that aim, no doubt Henrique and his regular partner up front, fellow 20-year-old Rufino Gama, will have crucial roles to play.

The pair have a long relationship through both the various youth teams and now the senior side where they have been the main source of goals and with their dynamic movement, clinical finishing and hard work off the ball they are one of the most exciting young striking duos in the region.

For Henrique, who plays his club football in the Timorese capital of Dili with Boavista FC, it’s a combination that brings out the best in both players.

“Me and my friend Rufino don’t think about individual targets in terms of how many goals each of us might score but all we think of is the team.

“Of course we hope to score goals because that will mean that we can bring our nation through to the semifinals.”