AFF Suzuki Cup

[sideliner]

The draw was made today for the AFF Suzuki Cup (formerly the Tiger Cup, last year the Asean Football Championship) which will be played in December. Thailand have avoided defending champions Singapore. Group A will be played in jakarta and Group B in Bangkok (the fourth team from each group will come from a qualifying tournament in October featuring hosts Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Timor Leste and Brunei). Semis and final are home and away

Group A                     Group B
1. ____Indonesia_____ 1. __Thailand____
2. ____Singapore____ 2. ___Malaysia___
3. ____Myanmar_____ 3. ___Vietnam____
4. Qualifiers Runners-up 4. Qualifiers Winner

[druryfire]

Have they released a schedule?

[Vinnie]

The draw was made today for the AFF Suzuki Cup (formerly the Tiger Cup, last year the Asean Football Championship) which will be played in December. Thailand have avoided defending champions Singapore. Group A will be played in jakarta and Group B in Bangkok (the fourth team from each group will come from a qualifying tournament in October featuring hosts Cambodia, Laos, Brunei Timor Leste and Brunei). Semis and final are home and away

Group A                     Group B
1. ____Indonesia_____ 1. __Thailand____
2. ____Singapore____ 2. ___Malaysia___
3. ____Myanmar_____ 3. ___Vietnam____
4. Qualifiers Runners-up 4. Qualifiers Winner

Two Bruneis! I guess one of those should be the Philippines. Seriously though, I hope Brunei and Timor Leste both put up teams as it's good for ASEAN for all of the 11 nations to have active sides.

[sideliner]

You are right, I typed Brunei twice. I have amended the post.

Yes there is a schedule - I will post later.

I found this story about the draw.

JAKARTA, August 27 – Two time defending champions Singapore on Wednesday avoided the tricky hurdle of playing three-time winners Thailand in the group stage of the AFF Suzuki Cup in December.
The biennial tournament, to crown the kings of Asean football, will be co-hosted by Indonesia and Thailand following a five-team qualifying event in Cambodia in October.
Singapore will take on co-hosts Indonesia, Myanmar and one of the qualifiers in Group A as they hope to extend their fantastic unbeaten run of 15 games in the tournament.
Thailand, who have splashed out to hire former Sunderland boss Peter Reid as their new coach, were drawn in Group B alongside 2007 Asian Cup surprise packets Vietnam,  Malaysia  and a qualifier. The matches will be played in Bangkok.
Ex-Everton star Reid is expected to take up his post with Thailand on September 1.
The Lions of Singapore won the tournament for the second time with victory over Indonesia in 2004 and retained the title in a controversial two-legged final against Thailand in early 2007.
Singapore took a 2-1 lead after the first leg in a home game that was delayed for more than 10 minutes after the Thai team walked off the park to protest a penalty decision.
In the second leg in front of a capacity crowd of 30,000 at the Supachalasai Stadium in Bangkok, Pipat Thonkanya gave Thailand a ray of hope with a first half goal that took his side level on aggregate before a wonder strike from Khairul Amri in the 82nd minute sealed the issue for the titleholders.
Asean football entered an exciting new era with one of the top Japanese car manufacturers, Suzuki Motor Corporation signing up recently as title sponsor of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2008.
The group games in the AFF Suzuki Cup will be played from December 5-10, the semi-finals from December 16 to 21 with the two-legged final on December 24 and 28.


Hosts Cambodia, Brunei, Laos, the Philippines and Timor Leste will battle it out for the two remaining spots in the finals in Phnom Penh from October 17-25.
-

Group A (in Jakarta) Indonesia, Singapore, Myanmar, Runners-up Qualifier
Group B (in Bangkok) Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Winners Qualifier.

[futboler]

um........ who are the favarites to win the AFF Cup this time around........ not definitely Singapore..........it is enough for them........

[futboler]

I think Myanmar should also be part of the qualifying group members. I wonder why they are grouped in the automatic qualified group, though. what makes them think that Myanmar is strong enough to be the qualified team...........though.......

[druryfire]

I think Myanmar should also be part of the qualifying group members. I wonder why they are grouped in the automatic qualified group, though. what makes them think that Myanmar is strong enough to be the qualified team...........though.......

Myanmar did well at the last tournment i think, 3 draw if i remember correctly???

I'm sure they would be to strong for qualification, besides, we would then need 3 qualifiers, but it would give them practice.

I think Philippines will qualify along with Cambodia

[sideliner]

I think the final eight teams will be the same as the 2007 tournament with the Philippines and Laos joining the six teams that were seeded into the finals.

[druryfire]

Group A -

Indonesia, Singapore, Myanmar, 2nd Qualifier

Group B -

Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, 1st Qualifier

Fixtures

05/12 - Singapore v Q2
05/12 - Indonesia v Myanmar
06/12 - Malaysia v QI
06/12 - Thailand v Vietnam
07/12 - Singapore v Myanmar
07/12 - Indonesia v Q2
08/12 - Vietnam v Malaysia
08/12 - Thailand v Q1
09/12 - Myanmar v Q2
09/12 - Indonesia v Singapore
10/12 - Vietnam v Q1
10/12 - Thailand v Malaysia

16/12 - Runners Up A v Winner B
17/12 - Winner A v Runners Up B

20/12 - Winner B v Runners Up A
21/12 - Runners Up B v Winner A

24/12 - Final 1st Leg
28/12 - Final 2nd Leg

[charade_2010]

Wish all best luck to Thailand in AFF Suzuki Cup 2008 

[SriRachaShark]

It was good to see Sportscentre on ESPN/Star leading with this story on their early evening show last night. And, the ever wonderful, Dez Corkhill bigging up the tournament.

Well done, guys

[Vinnie]

I think Myanmar should also be part of the qualifying group members. I wonder why they are grouped in the automatic qualified group, though. what makes them think that Myanmar is strong enough to be the qualified team...........though.......

To be fair, Myanmar are currently ranked higher than Malaysia.

[charade_2010]

And Singapore ?  They have 8 naturalized players in the team   

[suria_paya]

The Malaya Tigers

[Vinnie]

And Singapore ?  They have 8 naturalized players in the team  

What's the deal with Singapore and naturalized players? Can any country do it? It seems that only certain countries, e.g Singapore and some Middle East countries, have naturalized players.

[druryfire]

And Singapore ?  They have 8 naturalized players in the team  

What's the deal with Singapore and naturalized players? Can any country do it? It seems that only certain countries, e.g Singapore and some Middle East countries, have naturalized players.

It depends on the countires Citizenship rules. Singapore glady hand it out to anyone who is half decent, same can be said for Qatar who seem to buy players.

Any nation could easily do it, but whats the point in international football if for example Singapore is represented by a bunch of Serb's and English people.

[charade_2010]

So , Thailand is a " pure " team   

[jakartacasual]

And Singapore ?  They have 8 naturalized players in the team  

What's the deal with Singapore and naturalized players? Can any country do it? It seems that only certain countries, e.g Singapore and some Middle East countries, have naturalized players.

some foreign players in indonesia could qualify but the local players wouldn t have any of it

[jonny]

Im sure that there are many Thai players all over the world who could have played for Thai national team, but Thailand FA dont seem to be interested ?

Philippines dont have naturalized players but they have players that live abroad with one or two Philippines parents.

[z]

Any countries could easily do the same as singapore! but they re not that thick faces to destroy the pride of international sports...Singapore recruit all kinds of sports talent by giving them Fast track Immigration law..they dont need to live in singapore for any certain period of time....they dont need to speak English or Singlish..dont need to know how to sing national anthem..and dont get the meaning of Majulah Singapura!!
u name it..Football,Pingpong,Badminton,Swimming and etc...any sports that Singapore got improve in terms of result in the past 5 yrs all came from naturalized alians! most of them from China...the rest from Indonesia,Serb,Croat,Bosnian and Africans
People like to compared Sing with HK in many issues but for international sports..HK using their home grown talents to represent HK eventhough they have 100% right to recruit talents from mainland China.
Pingpong's Olympic silver medal for Singapore is a joke to me coz they all chinese players..born there..grown up there.. beside they still live and train there in China...and ofcoz they got no idea what the heck is "Majulah Singapura"

[Vinnie]

Agree fully z. The policy has brought Singapore relative success but it defeats the whole point of a national team, doesn't it?

[bon-nirnam]

Agree fully z. The policy has brought Singapore relative success but it defeats the whole point of a national team, doesn't it?

Not to mention the effect it has on kids who are growing up in Singapore.
What will they now say,'I want to grow up and be like......Pierre, Perter, Pablo, Vladimir, Jose, Wolfgang, Patricio, Tyrone, when Hohammed, Anand or Ting Biu don't seem fit as local sports hero.

Having said that the 'pure' somehow has a redneck sounding in my perception.

Thailand players are already of mixed ethnics and only if you understand the language players lastname pretty much tell you of the region/ethnic they came from.

For example:
Nern____ , Non____ ,_____taeh suggesting they are of Northeastern(Loatian,Cambodian or Suay), ___thaisong are of Southern region with some whose last name are outrigght Javi. Anyone with more than four syllables surname usually are of Chinese anchestry. Thailand one had Daoyos Dara whose father was a former Vietnam International.

Personally, feel it is a great pride to see players from different region recognized from their playing merrits.
I don't have porblem with naturalized players so long as it is done due to people choice place to live.
But, if it is done for the purpose of winning a pride for the country, what pride?

[z]

Not to mention the effect it has on kids who are growing up in Singapore.
What will they now say,'I want to grow up and be like......Pierre, Perter, Pablo, Vladimir, Jose, Wolfgang, Patricio, Tyrone, when Hohammed, Anand or Ting Biu don't seem fit as local sports hero.

Having said that the 'pure' somehow has a redneck sounding in my perception.

Thailand players are already of mixed ethnics and only if you understand the language players lastname pretty much tell you of the region/ethnic they came from.

For example:
Nern____ , Non____ ,_____taeh suggesting they are of Northeastern(Loatian,Cambodian or Suay), ___thaisong are of Southern region with some whose last name are outrigght Javi. Anyone with more than four syllables surname usually are of Chinese anchestry. Thailand one had Daoyos Dara whose father was a former Vietnam International.

Personally, feel it is a great pride to see players from different region recognized from their playing merrits.
I don't have porblem with naturalized players so long as it is done due to people choice place to live.
But, if it is done for the purpose of winning a pride for the country, what pride?

bon-nirnam...every countries have mixed ethnics minority...and that totally different issue as Singapore's naturalized alians for their national representation!
-Zedane and many more of France are ethnic minority but they born or grown up in France!
-Few (brazillian-born) of Japan team also lived in Japan since childhood and speak japanese fluently!
-Tennis legend Matina Navatilova immigrated from Czech to USA while she was world no.1 for many years but she cant played for USA till she took her time by US law for 7 yrs till she got US citizen then she represented US in Olympic and Fed cup........That's correct ways of naturalized player
    Most of the countries in the world (include Sing)if we want to be their citizen...we got to resided in their country for certain time(5-7 yrs) before we bcome citizen and get their passport. but singapore recently found the short cut to improved their sports result internationaly by introducing Fast track immigration law..and they really used it aggressively in every sports...that's why i think it's thick face policy and it's shame for their youth development programs in sports.

[bon-nirnam]

Not to mention the effect it has on kids who are growing up in Singapore.
What will they now say,'I want to grow up and be like......Pierre, Perter, Pablo, Vladimir, Jose, Wolfgang, Patricio, Tyrone, when Hohammed, Anand or Ting Biu don't seem fit as local sports hero.

Having said that the 'pure' somehow has a redneck sounding in my perception.

Thailand players are already of mixed ethnics and only if you understand the language players lastname pretty much tell you of the region/ethnic they came from.

For example:
Nern____ , Non____ ,_____taeh suggesting they are of Northeastern(Loatian,Cambodian or Suay), ___thaisong are of Southern region with some whose last name are outrigght Javi. Anyone with more than four syllables surname usually are of Chinese anchestry. Thailand one had Daoyos Dara whose father was a former Vietnam International.

Personally, feel it is a great pride to see players from different region recognized from their playing merrits.
I don't have porblem with naturalized players so long as it is done due to people choice place to live.
But, if it is done for the purpose of winning a pride for the country, what pride?

bon-nirnam...every countries have mixed ethnics minority...and that totally different issue as Singapore's naturalized alians for their national representation!
-Zedane and many more of France are ethnic minority but they born or grown up in France!
-Few (brazillian-born) of Japan team also lived in Japan since childhood and speak japanese fluently!
-Tennis legend Matina Navatilova immigrated from Czech to USA while she was world no.1 for many years but she cant played for USA till she took her time by US law for 7 yrs till she got US citizen then she represented US in Olympic and Fed cup........That's correct ways of naturalized player
    Most of the countries in the world (include Sing)if we want to be their citizen...we got to resided in their country for certain time(5-7 yrs) before we bcome citizen and get their passport. but singapore recently found the short cut to improved their sports result internationaly by introducing Fast track immigration law..and they really used it aggressively in every sports...that's why i think it's thick face policy and it's shame for their youth development programs in sports.

Thanks z...
I am well aware of the US immigration policy.
Interestingly in the case of Navratilova and other pro-athletes who have migrated to the US, there are other hidden issues involved.

US H1 Visa issued to Scientaist and Pro-athletes are also a fast tract as they are considered most desireable(boo...)
Most of these millionaire athtletes (golfers included) chose to reside in Florida because tax advantage. Florida no income tax policy was initially created for American Retirees(Hmmm....)

As for Brazilian-Japan the tie between the two countries had long been established like you mention. It is not easy to be a true gai-jin in Japan with only few exception (Agnes Chan etc.,).

However, Singapore will always be an exception in her own way so long as rules and regulation permit.
As for the Singapore fast track immigration law for the purpose of a fast track WIN, yes, it's a shameful thing indeed.

[sideliner]

Another sponsor for the Asean football event at the end of the year (see article below). Good to see some of the big companies getting behind the tournament.

 Caltex, one of Asia’s leading energy brands, announced today that it will sponsor the AFF Suzuki Cup 2008.

Formerly known as the Asean Football Championships, the tournament is the biggest and most prestigious football competition in the Asean region for over ten years.

And this year, the event will be co-hosted by Thailand and Indonesia in December, following a five-team qualifying tournament in Cambodia in October.

The AFF Suzuki Cup sponsorship reinforces Caltex’s brand platform of ‘What Drives You’.

The competition is about high performance, resilience, stamina, strength of character and integrity, which are values embraced by Caltex and its employees.

“We are excited to kick off our sponsorship of the AFF Suzuki Cup,” said Brian Fisher, Integrated Marketing Manager, Asia Pacific, Chevron International Pte Ltd.

“We know how proud and enthusiastic the communities in which we serve are when it comes to the tournament. We can’t wait to help fuel this passion through the support of our network of Caltex stations regionally, as well through as our lubricants brands, Havoline and Delo.

“This is another great development for the AFF Suzuki Cup,” said Asean Football Federation President, HE Tengku Tan Sri Dato' Seri Ahmad Rithauddeen.

“Caltex is a well-known brand throughout the Asean region and I am sure the involvement of Caltex will help power the AFF Suzuki Cup to greater heights.

Following the draw, the stage is set for a thrilling tournament that will energise the teams, excite the fans and emphasise the great strides forward that have been made in Asean football,” he added.

Singapore-based World Sport Group, the exclusive marketing partners of the Asean Football Federation and the organisers of the AFF Suzuki Cup sealed this multi-year deal.

“We are delighted to partner with Caltex, an established global brand whose values are very much aligned with the values of the AFF Suzuki Cup,” said Ian Mathie, Senior Vice President, Football – South Asia, Asean and Australia.

“While Caltex’s partnership will no doubt contribute to the event’s success and ensure that the AFF Suzuki Cup continues to remain Southeast Asia’s ratings leader, we are also confident that this event will help to fulfil the brand’s broader marketing and sponsorship goals in the region.”

Singapore has won the last two editions of the tournament and the Lions will be the team to beat in December.

Co-hosts Indonesia and Thailand will join defending champions Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Myanmar in the finals from 5-28 December.

Cambodia, Brunei, Laos, the Philippines and Timor Leste will battle it out in Phnom Penh from 17-25 October for the two remaining slots in the finals and a chance to win the prize money of USD 100,000.

[SriRachaShark]

And, of course, Caltex once sponsored the TPL. Good on them.

[jakartacasual]

well them energy companies have deep pockest at the moment

[sideliner]

The qualifying tournament for the AFF Suzuki Cup kicks off in Cambodia tomorrow. I fancy the Philippines to win which means they will be in Thailand's group. A new website has been launched for the tournament - www.affsuzukicup.com. Not sure how often it will be udpated but should be a good source for scores etc

[charade_2010]

I fancy the Philippines to win which means they will be in Thailand's group.

I think Laos will be there , instead of Philippines   

[druryfire]

I fancy the Philippines to win which means they will be in Thailand's group.

I think Laos will be there , instead of Philippines  

Laos are playing with a Under 23 team, in preperation for 2009 SEA Games which they will be hosting. Not sure how strong they will be for this event.

[sideliner]

As I said, I fancy Philippines to win the qualifying group and progress to play Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. Normally, Laos would be favourites to grab the other spot but given they are fielding an under-23 side in preparation for the SEA Games the Cambodians have a chance to sneak second place.

[druryfire]

Philippines and Cambodia have been doing well recently, i expect them to qualify.

Laos, with an Under 23 team are going to come up against bigger and stronger lads, which in tun will help them at SEA Games.

Brunei, can have their day in the sun, they have many players playing in Malaysian league, so i guess they could be a surprise, and Timor Leste, are probably just happy to be playing.

Phills and Cambodia for me, but would love a surprise somewhere

[jonny]

My pick would be Brunei and Laos. Brunei fielding DPMM team and Laos do always have a good young team. Philippine
are weaker than last time and dont have the benefit of playing at home. Cambodia have that advantage and could qualify.

[sideliner]

In today's opening matches, the Philippines edged Timor Leste 1-0 which suggests that, as Jonny pointed out, they are weaker than last time. Also Cambodia beat Laos 3-2.

[sideliner]

It seems that Narongchai (injury) and Nirut (personal reasons) have pulled out of the preliminary squad for the upcoming tournament in Vietnam and the AFF Suzuki Cup, trimming Peter Reid's options in midfield.

[druryfire]

According to the reports on www.aseanfootball.org it would suggest that although Laos have a young team, they performed very well, so they are still in with a shout.

I expected Philippines to beat Timor-Leste, but seems they struggled to a 1-0 victory and Timor had a goal disallowed. Previously, Philippines beat them 7-0. So either Timor have improved immensly, or Phills are not as good as previous matches suggested, such as AFC Challenge Cup games.

Interestingly, the next two games on 19th Oct, have Timor-Leste against Cambodia and Brunei against Philippines, so we could see both Phills and Cambodia go 6 points clear with victories and potiently knock out Timor-Leste with just two days of competition gone.

[jonny]

Today :

Philippines - Brunei 1-1
Cambodia - Timor Leste 2-2

[sideliner]

According to the Bangkok Post, Peter Reid has picked his squad for the tournament in Vietnam ahead of the AFF Suzuki Cup. In an earlier report, Reid was quoted as saying that Anon would be one of his main forwards. Now he has been dropped. Possibly the Bangkok Post picked him up wrongly at the time.

Anon Sangsanoi, the Thailand Premier League's top scorer, was surprisingly left out of national coach Peter Reid's squad for this month's TT&T Cup in Hanoi.

The Englishman cut his initial 36-man squad to 20 yesterday or the October 28-November 1 tournament, but did not give a reason why BEC Tero player Anon was axed.

''We had little time to watch all the players because Vietnam wanted the squad list straight away,'' Reid said.

''However, I watched several games in the Thai League and Division One and I think this is the best squad for the national team. I hope they will get good results in the tournament.''

Tawan Sripan, Reid's assistant, said the 20 players were picked by Reid himself and he and other assistants only gave him advice.

''I think Peter watched Anon during training and was not pleased with his performance,'' Tawan said.

''It is a bit disappointing that Anon is not in the team but he is still young and he will get his chance in the future.''

TEAM

Goalkeepers: Kittisak Rawangpa (Customs) and Kosin Hathairattanakool (Chonburi)

Defenders: Suree Sukha, Chollatid Jantakam, Nataporn Phanrit (Chonburi), Patiparn Petchpool (PEA), Niweat Siriwong (BEC Tero) and Krissadee Prakobkong (Police).

Midfielders: Datsakorn Thonglao (Hong Anh Gia Lai), Suchao Nutnum (TOT), Phichitpong Chieuchiew (Krung Thai), Surat Sukha, Arthit Suntornpit (Chonburi) and Salaudin Arware (Muang Thong).

Forwards: Pipat Tonkanya, Ronnachai Rangsiyo (PEA), Teerathep Winothai (BEC Tero), Teerasil Dangda (Muang Thong), Sarayuth Chaikamdee (Osotspa) and Issarapong

[sideliner]

The qualifiers in Cambodia getting interesting with Laos beating the Philippines and Brunei going top after seeing off Timor Leste. All to play for, as they say.

[charade_2010]

Tawan Sripan, Reid's assistant, said the 20 players were picked by Reid himself and he and other assistants only gave him advice.

Reid should be careful ...
Australia now is a member of AFF  !!!! So Thailand and other teams will meet the real challenger in the future   :

[druryfire]

Final Matchday Results

Laos 2 -1 Timor Leste
Cambodia 2 - 1 Brunei

Laos win the qualifying and go into Thailands group

Cambodia sneak through in 2nd spot

[charade_2010]

I guessed correctly  ! The Laotian young players are very tough !

[Vinnie]

That was a really close fought tournament so credit goes to all the sides. The Philippines must be disappointed as they are viewed by many as being the most rapidly improving side out of the lesser ASEAN teams. Well done to Cambodia who only started playing international football again in 1995. Timor Leste seem to have caught up with the other lesser ASEAN sides already and I genuinely believe they have the potential to become one of the best sides in ASEAN in the future.

[davidvinh]

Hi guys!

I m living in USA so anybody can tell me how can I watch this match online.I hope I get correct link for watching this match online

19pm night,Bangkok time

Best regards

[SriRachaShark]

Click on the NBT link on this page :

http://www.siamtv.org/sports.html

[Magezone]

!!!Breaking news!!!

There are the heavy rain and the flood in Hanoi so this match was adjourned to 16 November after Thailand compete with Saudi Arabia in 8 November.

[Vinnie]

 

[vinhmt04]

Hi all, I am Vietnamese 
I am happy to join this forumn.
See you all next on 16 Nov 2008 at VietNam.
I think that is the fair match.
Nice to meet you all.

[charade_2010]

Nirut Surasiang will never join in Thai team because he is going to nationalize Vietnam .

[Félix]

Really? I don't really believe your story.
Nirut is one of the most important player of thai team.
Altough he is going to naturalise vietnamese, he can't join Vietnam team because he already play for Thai team.
I heard by someone that he wanted to let his place for younger players as he is already 29 years old.