HANOI (5 August 2014) – Defending champions and hosts Singapore have been drawn with former champions Malaysia and Thailand in Group B of the AFF Suzuki Cup draw which was conducted here today.
In a glitzy ceremony at a leading hotel here today, the Lions found out just whom they would be up against when the tournament kicks-off in November.
Vietnam, who are the other hosts, meanwhile have been drawn alongside the Philippines and Indonesia. The fourth team in each group will be determined in a qualifying tournament which will be contested in Vientiane, Laos in October.
Singapore, the most successful team in the history of the regional tournament with four titles in the bag, will host the event at the new 55,000 capacity stadium and can expect packed terraces when they face archrivals Malaysia. The Lions will also have their hands full when then battle Thailand, the runners-up in the last AFF Suzuki Cup.
The Thais, winners of this prestigious trophy in 1996, 200 and 2002, lost the two-leg final to Singapore two years ago and they will be out for revenge. The Thais, judging from their smashing run in the SEA Games last year where they swept the men’s gold, appear to be on the rise and will be tough opponents.
The Malaysians, under new coach Dollah Salleh, will experience a difficult time especially when they face the Lions in their own den. Since winning in 2010, the Malaysians have hit a slump but this year’s tournament could be their chance to get their game back on track.
Singapore’s former coach Raddy Avramovic, who has now taken on the Myanmar chief coach position, warned that the battle for the title would be very close. He said the teams had all improved and it would be a mistake to count any team out. “Any team can win it.”
Vietnam coach, Toshiya Miura says while some including the media appear optimistic about the draw outcome, he has warned that appearances can be deceiving.
“At the last Suzuki Cup, Vietnam did not qualify,” he said. In 2012, Vietnam had Thailand, Philippines and Myanmar in their group but failed to make the semifinals.
Philippines coach, Thomas Dooley did not say much but commented that he would treat every game seriously. “Every game is important in this tournament; we have seen this in the Challenge Cup.
“We would of course would like to lift the trophy this time round.”
THE DRAW
Group A
1. VIETNAM
2. PHILIPPINES
3. INDONESIA
4. QUALIFIER 2
Group B
1. SINGAPORE
2. MALAYSIA
3. THAILAND
4. QUALIFIER 1
Qualifying Draw
1.TIMOR LESTE
2. BRUNEI
3. LAOS
4. CAMBODIA
5. MYANMAR
(The top two teams in the qualifying tournament will advance to the final round)
PAST WINNERS
2012: Singapore
2010: Malaysia
2008: Vietnam
2007: Singapore
2004: Singapore
2002: Thailand
2000: Thailand
1998: Singapore
1996: Thailand
