The Timor-Leste under-19 football team came in third place at the Asian Football Federation competition in September, but Members of National Parliament consider the players were not given enough support. 
The Timor-Leste team came third behind Indonesia and Vietnam in the competition, held in Indonesia.
The President of Parliamentary Commission F (for education, health, sport and gender equality), MP Virgilio Hornai said the Timor-Leste team were good but not yet at their best.
According to his observations of the game, there were no family members on stage to give them support.
“When they go to play football, their parents or family should accompany them to give them moral support,” said MP Hornai.
He said when games are played in neighbouring countries, the state should give money to help player’s families buy plane tickets so they could participate, but currently this doesn’t happen.
MP Hornai suggested for the future the state should build a boarding house for the team to facilitate their studies because the players are still young.
Meanwhile, MP Osorio Florindo raised concerns as the team carried the flag of Timor-Leste and sang the national anthem abroad, but the state gave them no support.
He said Timor should be proud of coming in third place, as other nations would share the name Timor-Leste across the world.
“I accompanied our younger brothers in the under 19 team and even though we were defeated, we at least came in third place.”
On the other hand, the Vice President of National Parliament Adriano do Nascimento congratulated the team on behalf of the National Parliament for their huge effort competing in the international event.
“We do appreciate the efforts of the players competing in this international event,” said Nascimento.
Therefore, he asked everyone to encourage the players to bring the nation forward.
