AFF Suzuki Cup

[jakartacasual]

the keeper like the team started poorly but got better as the tournament went on

[bosoxpeteyboy]

T_T
after i heard of the score, i was stunnnnnnN!!! i coudn't believe my own eyes.
but after seeing the highlight on youtube, i noticed that Thailand made many mistake!!!
the Thais strikers missed many great chances, the defenders....T_T.. don't really wanna talk about them, the keeper.. Kosin??? oh, GOD... and The thais underestimate the Vietnamese...
this may sounds very *rude word*y, but i think Thailand has a great chance of beating the Vietnamese in their own backyard.
well, i'll i can say is "keep your fingers cross"~ 

[charade_2010]

Anybody is going to come to Vietnam to cheer Thailand on Sunday  ?

[Félix]

I think we can't blame Kosin because he can't do anything on the 2 goals.
But somebody why he start and not Kittisak? He was not bad from the beginning of the tournament.
And sunday with a real right winger like Suchao, we will have more chances to score!

[sideliner]

Kittisak picked up a knee injury in training on the eve of the match although he seemed to be moving freely enough in the pre-match warm up on Wednesday.

Agree 100 per cent that the extra width and pace that Suchao will provide could be the key on Sunday.

[z]

many ppl already gave lots credit to Reid...to be honest i dont see any improvement from Charnwit's team...our Thai team still cling with same old original problem...upfront used too many chances to score one goal

[Félix]

Using too many chances to score one goal, humm...

I think Peter Reid can train them how much he wants about it, when in the match, it's the players who has to do it!

[SriRachaShark]

many ppl already gave lots credit to Reid...to be honest i dont see any improvement from Charnwit's team...our Thai team still cling with same old original problem...upfront used too many chances to score one goal

It's still early days. I think over time you will see a big improvement in the performance, fitness and attitude of the team. Starting on Sunday Be patient.

[bon-nirnam]

C' on guys, make some noise!!!

[bon-nirnam]

For one, I think I saw Thailand now taking the coming our of the shell approach to play more attacking brand of football.
It is new to them as they were accustumed to defending and waiting to counter attack of the past often saw them gone down before a chance to thraw a punch for so long.

The reluctant to carry out specific attacks one way or another may have been the resedu of old approach players unable to shed.


Vietnam is now taking that same old Thailand approach and could fell into Thailand former predigament in Hanoi.

[sideliner]

I think Worawi Makudi is making enough noise for everybody.
His comments are often mistranslated by the Bangkok Post but his current tirade rings true. He has complained bitterly about the disallowed goal on Wednesday night and stated that Thailand may withdraw from the next AFF Suzuki Cup unless the officiating improves. That is total nonsense from a man running scared of defeat. The assistant referee did get it wrong as Teerasil was onside but everyone has seen worse decisions in the English Premier League and elsewhere. For Worawi to bang on about it just shows his insecurity. Like the Thai fans, he should have confidence that the team can complete the job in Hanoi.

[SriRachaShark]

I've just read Worawi's comments. What an embarrassment this man is. He's behaving like a spoilt child. I agree with sideliner, I've seen far worse decisions. Most of them in the TPL on a weekly basis. Yes, Kn Worawi, wrong decisions made by Thai officials!!!!

I suppose we should at least be thankful that the team didn't walk off the pitch this time.

Now let's get back to the business in hand and trust in the team and the management to come back from Vietnam with the trophy.

[bon-nirnam]

I read his comment from a Thai newspaper posted on Thai Language board and had expressed my opnion opposing his childish behavior.

What even more embarrassng is that Peter Reid is at the helm at the moment.
The same reporter asked Reid how he felt about the off-side goal. Ried response was that, 'I was away from the play and didn't see it. Anyway, the decision has already been made.'

Worawi should have at least talk or get a report from the man he put to in charge of Thailand National team, it is an appropriate and correct protocal.

He must realize that by nature no referee want to make a mistake, especially, to make the home at disadvantage.

Considering he is a senior officer of FIFA (he is Chairman of Women's World Cup Committee), this is an unforgiveable behavior.

[bon-nirnam]

Singapore sports website www.redspots.sg had conducted an interesting poll concerning their National Team being ousted out fo AFF Suzuki Cup 2008.
I belief the last question had a tint of sacasm of bitterness.

Here are the questions;
PollWith regards to the Singapore vs Vietnam second leg semi-final...
    - I can't believe we lost. Breaks my heart.
    - If all our players were fit, Singapore would have won.
    - Singapore didn't deserve to lose. They were unlucky.
    - Vietnam deserved to win 1-0.
    - Vietnam were lucky to win 1-0.
    - We need more foreign talents because obviously our local boys aren't good enough.

[lokomotive]

Well this really was an offside decission which happend nearly every game day around the globe. So there is nothing to claim. You migh only can blame the players, for not making more out of those 100 of chances during the game.

A really wrong and bad decission you can see here:

http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=SsYfZFvexmQ

It was during a Derby in the German Bundesliga in 1994. The Ball was clearly passing the goalpost on the OUTSIDE!! but a goal was given. Nuremberg lost that game 2:1. Afterwards due to that wrong decission, the match saw a reply. And guess what? Nuremberg lost again but this time 5:0. At the end of the seaosn they had been relegated. That is a nightmare of wrong ref decissions.

....not to talk about Wembley 66, right shark?

[charade_2010]

Selling tickets in Thailand :   

Selling tickets in Vietnam :   

[bon-nirnam]

charade,

Thanks for the update and photo.....

Enjoy the game and may the outcome of the game be something you long been waiting for, seeing your favorite team, Thailand capture yet another Asean Championship! 

[Bruce Ramsay]

Hi - I'm new but enjoy reading these comments and following the fortunes of Thailand football thru this site. This is my first post and I probably won't ever make many because I'm very interested in Asian football but don't know enough about most of the local scenes to comment on anything. (I live in Australia, follow the A-League closely and wish we got Star Sports telecasts of Asian football matches here).

Re the post above - if you can't access the link that bon-nirnam provided, try this one - www.redsports.sg/2008/12/22/singapore-vietnam-football-14/   It will take you to the original article on Redsports and also you can review the poll results on it.

I agree that the last question almost certainly was "tongue-in-cheek" but interesting to note that fully 10% of persons who voted in the poll agreed with it!

Regards to all - and best of luck in the 2nd leg later today.
Bruce

[SriRachaShark]

Welcome aboard, Bruce. We're a friendly bunch on here so your lack of knowledge won't be a problem. There'll always be someone happy to help you or point you in the right direction for finding information.

Do you follow a particular team in the A-League?

[SriRachaShark]

Here's hoping that we can keep our heads tonight. There's likely to be a very hostile atmosphere and we don't want the players "losing it" when decisions go against them.

I'm looking forward to the match with a certain amount of trepidation. Football wise we should win the game but it will be a test of the Thai team's mental strength.

[Nigb]

hope Thailand score early to quieten the crowd and the nerves of the Thai players.

[bon-nirnam]

Here's hoping that we can keep our heads tonight. There's likely to be a very hostile atmosphere and we don't want the players "losing it" when decisions go against them.

I'm looking forward to the match with a certain amount of trepidation. Football wise we should win the game but it will be a test of the Thai team's mental strength.

Shark, you have beautifully put it. It all about mental game!
Technically we knew we are head and shoulders above... (from my observeation).
If our boys could bring their physical abilities to be insync with their mental abilities, they will be Champion and a force football nations in the region will have to recoincided with for now and beyond.

Then again, football has always had its own twists ever since man decided it was a game of worthy of participation.

[bon-nirnam]

Hi Bruce,

Welcome to forum!
I must admit that I have been away from Thailand football, can you believe it, for more than twenty years as I have been living in California since late 1982.
Thanks to friends and former colleagues who have provided me with Thai football developement. I pay close attention to Australia football development, however, as I feel there is a significant contribution to football excellence that could come out of this nation in the years to come.

Happy New Year!

[Bruce Ramsay]

Many thanks for the welcome, Shark. And for the offer of assistance - which I will gratefully accept fairly often I think, as I attempt to increase my knowledge and understanding of the football scene in Thailand and the rest of Asia.

I must admit that I don't have a particular "fancied" team as such in the A-League. I enjoy watching them all - especially if the football put out is of a decent standard (for Australian football that is - which is still very much in its infancy in terms of gaining national support and appeal). However there are a a couple of teams I do tend to follow - by which I mean I try to watch all their games if I can (on TV - we don't get matches played here in Canberra). Those teams are Queensland Roar (out of a sense of place - I was born in Brisbane, the Capital of the state of Queensland, and lived there the first 35 years of my life), Melbourne Victory (I like the way they play football - even if they get beaten more times than they probably should!) and Adelaide United (I like the way they play too - even though its a different style to Melbourne and I enjoyed watching them cope with this year's ACL campaign).

Will look with interest first thing in the morning for the result of tonight's game - I don't think I can get an online feed from Vietnam here and I don't think it starts til midnight, Canberra time. Bit late for me these days!

[bon-nirnam]

Many thanks for the welcome, Shark. And for the offer of assistance - which I will gratefully accept fairly often I think, as I attempt to increase my knowledge and understanding of the football scene in Thailand and the rest of Asia.

I must admit that I don't have a particular "fancied" team as such in the A-League. I enjoy watching them all - especially if the football put out is of a decent standard (for Australian football that is - which is still very much in its infancy in terms of gaining national support and appeal). However there are a a couple of teams I do tend to follow - by which I mean I try to watch all their games if I can (on TV - we don't get matches played here in Canberra). Those teams are Queensland Roar (out of a sense of place - I was born in Brisbane, the Capital of the state of Queensland, and lived there the first 35 years of my life), Melbourne Victory (I like the way they play football - even if they get beaten more times than they probably should!) and Adelaide United (I like the way they play too - even though its a different style to Melbourne and I enjoyed watching them cope with this year's ACL campaign).

Will look with interest first thing in the morning for the result of tonight's game - I don't think I can get an online feed from Vietnam here and I don't think it starts til midnight, Canberra time. Bit late for me these days!

http://www.vtv.com.vn/  try VTV3 channel in coloured lettering on the right hand side

[Vinnie]

Welcome Bruce 

[newbie4]

Does anyone have an idea why Reid benched Kosin? I mean there have been some horrible mistakes by the goalie.





Lola Luna crotchless lingerie

[charade_2010]

SUZUKI RENEWS ITS TITLE SPONSORSHIP OF AFF CUP

SINGAPORE (5 August 2010) – ASEAN football received a further boost today as Japanese car giant Suzuki Motor Corporation renewed its title sponsorship of the AFF Suzuki Cup for 2010.

The AFF Suzuki Cup is Southeast Asia’s biggest football event and ratings leader. This year’s competition, featuring the region’s top eight teams, will be co-hosted by Indonesia and Vietnam from December 1st to 29th.

Suzuki has been a title-sponsor of the AFF Cup since 2008.

“It is an honor for us, Suzuki Motor Corporation, to support the AFF Cup, an event which we have proudly title-sponsored since 2008. The AFF Suzuki Cup is the biggest, most exciting event in ASEAN, uniting its people through a common passion - football,” said Mr. Toshihiro Suzuki, Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer, and Chief Director of Overseas Sales.

“We believe that through our sponsorship of this event, fans will have the opportunity to feel and experience a unique connection with Suzuki automobiles, motorcycles and outboards; products which are very much part of households in the region.

“ASEAN is a key market for our stylish and reliable cars and motorcycles, and we believe that our sponsorship of the AFF Suzuki Cup will continue to reinforce our brand values and provide an important platform to generate tremendous visibility and exposure for our brand and its products across this region. We also wish to thank the AFF for continuing to grow this event from strength to strength,” added Suzuki.

“We are delighted that the ASEAN Football Federation will be continuing to work together with Suzuki as our title sponsor for the AFF Cup 2010. We welcome Suzuki’s continued commitment to ASEAN’s best national team football competition and with their support we can continue to develop the beautiful game in the region,” said HE Tengku Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Ahmad Rithaudeen, President of the ASEAN Football Federation

“The popularity and strength of the AFF Suzuki Cup has continued to grow since its conception and we will be making sure that this edition of the tournament will be the best yet,” he added.

The agreement was sealed by the Singapore-based World Sport Group, the exclusive marketing partners of the ASEAN Football Federation and organizers of the AFF Suzuki Cup.

“Suzuki’s partnership will be a key driving force behind the continued growth and success of this competition. We are also confident that in turn, this event will deliver the brand’s broader marketing and sponsorship goals in the region,” said Ian Mathie, Senior Vice-President, Football – South Asia, ASEAN and Australia.

The top two teams from a qualifying round to be held from October 22nd to 30th this year in Vientiane, Laos will join the top six seeded ASEAN nations – Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam - to make up the final field of eight nations.

The official draw will be held in Hanoi on September 15th. The semi-final and final matches will be played on a home and away format. All games will be broadcast on ESPN Star Sports and on terrestrial stations across the region.

" All games will be broadcast on ESPN Star Sports " while no match in World Cup 2010 was broadcasted on those channels !?! 

[Vinnie]

It seems Ian Ayre has rivals in the art of speaking verbose and irritating 'business speak'. Step Forward Mr Toshihiro Suzuki and Mr Ian Mathie. Allow me to translate the highlighted paragraphs for those that speak or learnt plain English.

SUZUKI RENEWS ITS TITLE SPONSORSHIP OF AFF CUP

SINGAPORE (5 August 2010) – ASEAN football received a further boost today as Japanese car giant Suzuki Motor Corporation renewed its title sponsorship of the AFF Suzuki Cup for 2010.

The AFF Suzuki Cup is Southeast Asia’s biggest football event and ratings leader. This year’s competition, featuring the region’s top eight teams, will be co-hosted by Indonesia and Vietnam from December 1st to 29th.

Suzuki has been a title-sponsor of the AFF Cup since 2008.

“It is an honor for us, Suzuki Motor Corporation, to support the AFF Cup, an event which we have proudly title-sponsored since 2008. The AFF Suzuki Cup is the biggest, most exciting event in ASEAN, uniting its people through a common passion - football,” said Mr. Toshihiro Suzuki, Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer, and Chief Director of Overseas Sales.

“We believe that through our sponsorship of this event, fans will have the opportunity to feel and experience a unique connection with Suzuki automobiles, motorcycles and outboards; products which are very much part of households in the region.

“ASEAN is a key market for our stylish and reliable cars and motorcycles, and we believe that our sponsorship of the AFF Suzuki Cup will continue to reinforce our brand values and provide an important platform to generate tremendous visibility and exposure for our brand and its products across this region. We also wish to thank the AFF for continuing to grow this event from strength to strength,” added Suzuki.

“We are delighted that the ASEAN Football Federation will be continuing to work together with Suzuki as our title sponsor for the AFF Cup 2010. We welcome Suzuki’s continued commitment to ASEAN’s best national team football competition and with their support we can continue to develop the beautiful game in the region,” said HE Tengku Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Ahmad Rithaudeen, President of the ASEAN Football Federation

“The popularity and strength of the AFF Suzuki Cup has continued to grow since its conception and we will be making sure that this edition of the tournament will be the best yet,” he added.

The agreement was sealed by the Singapore-based World Sport Group, the exclusive marketing partners of the ASEAN Football Federation and organizers of the AFF Suzuki Cup.

“Suzuki's partnership will be a key driving force behind the continued growth and success of this competition. We are also confident that in turn, this event will deliver the brand’s broader marketing and sponsorship goals in the region,” said Ian Mathie, Senior Vice-President, Football – South Asia, ASEAN and Australia.

The top two teams from a qualifying round to be held from October 22nd to 30th this year in Vientiane, Laos will join the top six seeded ASEAN nations – Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam - to make up the final field of eight nations.

The official draw will be held in Hanoi on September 15th. The semi-final and final matches will be played on a home and away format. All games will be broadcast on ESPN Star Sports and on terrestrial stations across the region.

" All games will be broadcast on ESPN Star Sports " while no match in World Cup 2010 was broadcasted on those channels !?! 

1) Because we are sponsoring this event, fans will notice and be exposed to our products.

2) ASEAN is an important market for us. Therefore, sponsoring this event may help us to sell more of our vehicles in Southeast Asia.

3) The deal is mutually beneficial.

[sideliner]

The English may be verbose but surely a positive that the tournament is being sponsored.
Will be interesting to see who Thailand get in the draw on September 15. The group games are going to be held in Hanoi and Jakarta from December 1-8 so not much time for Bryan Robson to prepare the national squad after leading the under-23s in the Asian Games. If Thailand reach the Asian Games final, they will p;ay on November 25. Anyone know when the draw for the Asian Games football is behind held?

[sideliner]

The new website for the tournament has gone live...www.affsuzukicup.com

[druryfire]

Group A
Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Winners of Qualifier

Group B
Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar, Runners up of qualifiers

Complete match schedule , incl qualifiers.

http://www.affsuzukicup.com/fixtures2010.html

[charade_2010]

EASIER FOR CHAMPS VIETNAM IN GROUP B

HANOI (15 Sept 2010) – Defending champions Vietnam have been placed in the easier Group B of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 following the official draw ceremony this afternoon at the Sheraton Hotel here in Hanoi.

Hosts Vietnam, the winners two years ago at the AFF Suzuki Cup 2008 when they beat Thailand in the final for their first ever ASEAN crown, are in Group B alongside Singapore, Myanmar and the runner-up team from the October qualifying round.

But as Vietnam chief coach Henrique Calisto said afterwards, it is important to learn from former world champions Italy and not get beyond themselves.

“We have to respect ourselves, respect our opponents and realised that no team is easy. Just look at what happened to Italy. They were champions four years ago in Germany but in South Africa, they cannot even win one game,” added Calisto.

“We are the champions and we can do it again but we have to look at it one game at a time. We have to think of our first match against Myanmar first rather than thinking whether we can beat Singapore in the third game. If we lose the first two matches, what is the point in beating Singapore?

“It is far important for me to have quality matches rather than stars in the game. We have to have discipline, work hard and tactics.”

The tougher Group A see hosts Indonesia up against Thailand, Malaysia and also the winner of the qualifying round.

Wolfgang Pikal, the assistant coach of the Indonesia national team said that the draw is interesting.

“On paper, Group B is a little easier which makes our position in Group A being a lot harder,” added Wolfgang.

“We have new players in the team, so we are working hard to do better in front of our home fans. All teams are basically at the same level which means that the games will be quite close.”

K. Rajagobal, chief coach of Malaysia
“We respect all teams but as is common knowledge, things are not easy in football where there are a lot of factors which we have to take into account. We are taking each game as it comes and we fear no one.”

Myint Aung, chief coach of Myanmar
“The draw is fair and we will prepare our team as well as we can to make sure that we are competitive in all of our matches. Vietnam is very strong and as hosts, they will have the advantage. For us, we can only get our players together at the start of November after the Myanmar National League " .

[wolfman]

But as Vietnam chief coach Henrique Calisto said afterwards, it is important to learn from former world champions Italy and not get beyond themselves.

“We have to respect ourselves, respect our opponents and realised that no team is easy. Just look at what happened to Italy. They were champions four years ago in Germany but in South Africa, they cannot even win one game,” added Calisto.

To be fair, Italy did have a very tough group - as well as Paraguay and Slovakia, who both progressed, they also had to face a very good New Zealand side.

[charade_2010]

But as Vietnam chief coach Henrique Calisto said afterwards, it is important to learn from former world champions Italy and not get beyond themselves.

“We have to respect ourselves, respect our opponents and realised that no team is easy. Just look at what happened to Italy. They were champions four years ago in Germany but in South Africa, they cannot even win one game,” added Calisto.

To be fair, Italy did have a very tough group - as well as Paraguay and Slovakia, who both progressed, they also had to face a very good New Zealand side.

And who will play the part of Spain in ASEAN now ? Malaysia ?

[jakartacasual]

anybody coming?

[Tobi]

maybe to malaysia-thailand on saturday.

[lokomotive]

I can't make it to the group stage. But I am in hope for the semis or at least a final leg.

[charade_2010]

QUALIFYING ROUNDS MAY SERVE UP SOME STUNNING SURPRISES

VIENTIANE (21 Oct 2010) – On paper, hosts Laos and Cambodia appear to be the teams that will secure the two berths for the final rounds of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010. However, the level of preparations and seriousness of teams like Timor Leste and the Philippines, may just lead to some stunning surprises when the qualifying competition kicks-off tomorrow here tomorrow.

Timor and the Philippines failed to qualify for the final rounds of this tournament two years ago but they have since progressed and developed into more capable sides. For the record, Laos and Cambodia were the top two teams in the 2008 qualifiers and went on to play in the final rounds.

Timor were the whipping boys of the region a few years ago, but that looks set to change this year. Change in Timor is evident with the success of their development programmes.

Their youth team surprised many when they qualified for the Asian Under-16 final rounds. The senior national team have been working hard and look ready for the rough ride ahead here.

“Our players today have a fair amount of experience in the bag, in fact, all of them here have played in Asean and Asian events. Our players have been in training hard for many months with an aim of doing well here. We hope to win,” said Francisco Jeronimo, team manager of Timor Leste.

The team that had captured the interest of the media and fans here is the Philippines. With a young head coach in Simon McMenemy and a team that’s well prepared for this event, the Philippines, who like Timor Leste used to end up on the receiving end of the stronger outfits in the region, could stage some pleasant surprises over the coming week.

“I have been in charge of this team for three months but this team has been preparing for the last 10 months for this event under the previous coach. We are very confident as I feel the team is more prepared for an event than ever before,” McMenemy said.

“Our first step here is working on beating Timor Leste. If we can put this into practice and get over Timor, then we will start preparing for Laos.”

Philippines have been strengthened by the presence of English Premier League’s Fulham’s second choice keeper Neil Etheridge. The team’s confidence level will certainly be raised with him between the posts.

Tomorrow will see Philippines taking on Timor Leste in the opening match of the AFF Suzuki Cup qualifying round competition at 1600hrs (Vientiane time). Hosts Laos will face rivals Cambodia in the second match at the same venue at 1800hrs.

Laos team manager Pasatxay Philaphandetvi, declared that the team was ready for the qualifiers. We have been training since August, most of it in Laos itself. As hosts we would like to have some good luck in the opening match.”

Cambodia, with their new South Korean coach Lee Tae Hoon, appear to be the least prepared of all the team here. According to team officials, the team has only been in training for 45 days.

“The coach has only been with us for the last 10 days in Cambodia. Prior to that our team trained in Vietnam for 30 days," said the official.

Despite the lack of time to prepare, Cambodia possesses the experience and depth to give the others a tough time.

FIXTURES

22 Oct: Timor Leste vs Philippines (1600hrs) / Laos vs Cambodia (1830hrs)

24 Oct: Cambodia vs Timor Leste (1600hrs) / Philippines vs Laos (1830hrs)

26 Oct: Philippines vs Cambodia (1600hrs) / Laos vs Timor Leste (1830hrs)

[jonny]

Today :

Philippines - Timor Leste 5-0
Laos - Cambodia 0-0

[charade_2010]

Thanks jonny 

LAOS AND CAMBODIA SHARE POINTS

VIENTIANE (22 Oct 2010) – Hosts Laos and Cambodia, the two teams favoured to advance to the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 Final rounds, had to share points after failing to score any goals at the National Sports Complex Stadium in their opening qualifying match tonight. With one point each now, the two teams trail leaders Philippines, who routed Timor Leste 5-0 in an earlier game, in the team standings.

Laos and Cambodia, winners and runners-up in the previous qualifying tournament two years ago, are under pressure to deliver the points from their remaining matches if they hope to move to the final stage of the region’s most prestigious competition. Anything short of their best will see either one of them miss the boat. Cambodia will face Timor Leste while Laos will have to contend with high-riding Philippines on Sunday.

“I would have been happy if the score were drawn only at the second half. We were much better than they were after the break and we deserved to at least score on goal,” said David Booth, the chief coach of Laos.

Surprisingly, it was Cambodia which took the fight to the hosts. Stunned by the early aggression, the Laos players fell back and absorbed the pressure from the eager Cambodian strikers. To their credit, the laos defence did well to hold their ground and keep their goal intact.

As the game progressed, the Laos players began to push forward and began creating some chances for themselves. In the 27th minute, the crowd were on their feet as skipper Kitsada targeted his shot towards the near post.

It was despair again three minutes later, this time when Kaysone Soukhavong’s freekick scrap the top of the crossbar.

Cambodia’s best chance was five minutes from the break but Khoun Laboravy’s close range strike was blocked by keeper Sengphachan Bounthisanh.

The second half was somewhat chaotic with action swinging from end to end as both sides desperately pushed for the opening goal. Despite giving it their best, neither side managed to break the duck and ended up having to share points.

Laos’ only consolation is that they improved on their result against Cambodia two years ago. In that opening qualifying game in Phnom Penh, Cambodia won 3-2.

“We defended well and I’m happy that we at least took one point from the hosts. Now, it has made us even more confident for the second match,” said Lee Tae Hoon, the chief coach of Cambodia.

[druryfire]

Timor-Leste won't be going to the ball losing 4:2 to Cambodia in there 2nd qualifier

[charade_2010]

THAI COACH ROBSON COMES FOR A SNEAK PEEK

VIENTIANE (23 Oct 2010) - There was a time when the teams competing in the qualifying rounds of the AFF Suzuki Cup were not taken seriously. Afterall, they were considered the weakest teams in the region and whoever advanced would not make much of a difference to the “bigger and more established” teams in the final rounds.

All that has clearly changed now or how else would one explain the sudden appearance of Thai coach Bryan Robson here for yesterday’s opening matches.

Many here including the Laos FA officials were caught by surprise when Robson and his assistant, Steve Darby, turned up for the qualifiers. They watched the four teams in action, the opener between Philippines and Timor Leste and the second tie between Laos and Cambodia.

Robson, a former Manchester United and England great, and his assistant followed the proceedings closely and must have been surprised especially with the performance of the Philippines team which whipped Timor Leste 5-0.

Led by young English coach Simon McMenemy and boosted by the presence of EPL club, Fulham’s second keeper, Neil Etherige, the Filipinos performed remarkably to systematically destroy their rivals. McMenemy was not kidding when he said the team was one of the best ever prepared for a tournament.

No one knows for sure if Robson and Darby will be sticking around for tomorrow’s matches between Cambodia and Timor Leste, and the second tie involving Philippines and Laos. But he could well be in for more surprises if he decides to stay on.

Thailand have been drawn in Group A along with hosts Jakarta and Malaysia. The winner of this qualifying tournament will take up the fourth slot in Group A.

[druryfire]

Todays results:

Cambodia 4:2 Timor-Leste
Laos 2:2 Philippines

Hosts laos need to score more than 2 goals against Timor to go through. Philippines need to avoid defeat to Cambodia to qualify

[wolfman]

Last Round:
Laos 6-1 Timor Leste
Philippine 0-0 Cambodia

Based on results in this thread, I get a table like this:
Laos, Philippines, Cambodia all have 1 win, 2 draws, and 5 points. Laos and Philippines have GD of +5, Cambodia +2. Laos scored 8 goals to Philippines 7.
Timor Leste lost every match to finish with 0 points.

Laos 1st
Philippines 2nd
Cambodia 3rd
Timor Leste 4th

Suzuki Cup groups:
A- Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos
B - Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar , Philippines

[charade_2010]

LAOS EMERGE CHAMPS AND CLAIM FINAL ROUND BERTH WITH PHILIPPINES

VIENTIANE (26 Oct 2010) – Hosts Laos emerged the champions of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 qualifying rounds for the second time in succession after sensationally beating Timor Leste 6-1 at the National Sports Complex tonight. Philippines, who finished second on an inferior goal difference, have claimed the other slot after earlier sharing points with Cambodia in an earlier tie.

Laos will join a difficult Group A where they will have Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand for company while the Philippines will battle it out with defending champions Vietnam, Singapore and Myanmar in Group B.

Cambodia, second in the previous qualifying tournament two years ago, finished third with five points, similar to Laos and the Philippines, but lost out on an inferior goal difference.

For Laos the victory was sweet as they came from behind to secure a sensational victory. Down by an early goal, Laos battled back to score six goals to dispose of Timor Leste who completed the tournament without any points.

“We expected to win this game but it is not easy knowing that we have to win by a certain number of goals to take the Cup,” said David Booth, the chief coach of Laos.

“For me, it does not matter which group we are in for the final round – they are all hard teams to play against.”

Bottom-placed Timor Leste stunned the hosts just nine minutes into the game. The goal was a severe blow for Laos who knew they needed at least three goals in order to qualify for the final rounds.

Laos, to their credit, got their act together very quickly and were back on level terms just two minutes later thanks to a fine strike from Kovanh Namthaxivay. Laos continued to pile the pressure and surged ahead in the 17th minute, this time after Soukaphone Vongchiengkham’s header whizzed past the on-rushing Timor keeper.

Laos were unfortunate not to pick up at least two more goals by the end of the first half. Kovanh rocked the crossbar in the 28th minute while Soukaphone’s shot was just inches from the target. Timor stole away in the dying minutes when Chiquitto Do Carmo split the defence but his shot landed in the arms of the keeper.

Just before the hour mark, Laos had added two more goals through Lamnao Singto and Konekham Inthammavong in the 47th and 59th minutes. The importance of the fourth goal was the fact that Laos had done enough to qualify as the second placed team.

This pushed Cambodia down into third spot and effectively out of the finals.

Anyone who thought Laos would be satisfied as the second placed team were wrong as they went on to score two more goals through Kanyala Sysomvang and Ketsada Souksavanh for a magnificent 6-1 win.

This meant Laos had swept past the Philippines on better goal difference. Laos had scored eight goals while Philippines had scored seven. The top three, Laos, Philippines and Cambodia all have five points each.

“We had minimum preparation but we still managed to match the other teams in certain aspects although we lost out physically. We would have been better if we had more time to prepare,” added Eduardo Parreira, the assistant coach of Timor Leste.

[jakartacasual]

the english invade jakarta come december!

[lokomotive]

the english invade jakarta come december!

..and one is already there 

[lokomotive]

In preperation of the upcoming AFF Suzuiki Cup, thai-fussball.de did an extense interview with Alfred Riedl, head coach of Indonesia. Check out what he has to say.

AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 - Alfred Riedl wants to be in the Final

[druryfire]

A few games have been played recently by teams looking to win the AFF Cup.

Here's a few results

North Korea 2:1 Singapore
Vietnam 0:2 South Korea Uni Selection
Vietnam 1:1 Singapore
Singapore 2:0 South Korea Uni Selection
Vietnam 0:2 North Korea

All games played in the recent VFF Cup in Vietnam.
Vietnam not looking strong.

Duric scored most goals for Singapore, so look like they are looking to him again, he is about 36 and only good in the air now?, other than that, are they are threat?