YANGON (2 Nov 2016) – The AFF Suzuki Cup Trophy Tour kicked off today in Yangon, Myanmar, marking the start of a thrilling countdown to the region’s biggest and best football tournament, which begins on November 19.
Myanmar’s star players Than Paing, Win Min Htut, Maung Maung Iwin and Set Phyo Wai attended the exciting occasion along withVIPs, officials, and sponsors at the Sedona Hotel, Yangon.
The AFF Suzuki Cup Trophy Tour heads next to Jakarta on November 5, followed by Ho Chi Minh on November 10, then Manila on November 12.
“The AFF Suzuki Cup Trophy Tour is the perfect way to raise the curtains on this year’s tournament, which heads here to Myanmar very soon,” said Mr. Takayuki Sugiyama, Managing Director of Suzuki (Myanmar) Motor Company Limited.
“We are proud that Yangon has launched The Trophy Tour on its four-city swing of the region. This is a wonderful way to help celebrate this popular tournament in this region and show the passion that the Suzuki Motor Corporation has for the AFF Suzuki Cup.”
As part of today’s celebrations Suzuki (Myanmar) Motor Company Limited also unveiled the brand new Suzuki Ciaz, which will be the first time they have produced and launched an authentic sedan in Myanmar.
The Suzuki Ciaz boasts three unique selling points over other sedans of the same class. The “Exceptional Design” and “Roomy Passenger Cabin” will impress discerning drivers with an outstanding large space in the rear seat, and a 1.4 litre engine with superior driving dynamics and excellent fuel efficiency.
Suzuki (Myanmar) Motor Company Limited is going to display the Suzuki Ciaz at the Thuwanna Stadium in Yangon when the AFF Suzuki Cup Group stages are played on November 20th, 23rd and 26th.
“We look forward to customers in Myanmar getting a chance to experience and get a feel for the Suzuki Ciaz at the Thuwanna Stadium,” added Mr. Sugiyama.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the AFF Suzuki Cup and for the first time Myanmar are hosting one of the Groups along with the Philippines, who are also debuting as Group hosts.
Defending champions Thailand play Indonesia in the opening game of the AFF Suzuki Cup in Group A in the Philippines. Later in the day the Philippines are pitted against Singapore.
The following day the Group B matches kick off here in Yangon with 2010 champions Malaysia facing Cambodia before Myanmar battle it out against Vietnam, who won this event in 2008.
“The AFF Suzuki Cup stirs the emotions of football fans across the region and we are therefore expecting a strong turnout of support when we take the Trophy on the road,” said Lt Gen Dato’ Sri Azzuddin Ahmad, General Secretary, ASEAN Football Federation.
“Everyone is eagerly awaiting the start of the AFF Suzuki Cup and so the Trophy Tour will whet the appetite of fans in Southeast Asia for what promises to be one of the finest editions of the tournament.”
The AFF Suzuki Cup Group stages will be played from November 19 to 26 in Myanmar and the Philippines, followed by the semi-finals and the final from December 3 to 17 which will be contested on a home and away basis.
With Myanmar and the Philippines newcomers to hosting the Group Stage tournament, the Thuwanna Stadium in Yangon and the Philippine Sports Stadium, will be staging their first games in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2016. Both venues have previously held international matches.
Wunna Theikdi Stadium in Nay Pyi Taw and the Rizal Memorial Stadium in the heart of Manila, which has played host to AFF Suzuki Cup semi-final matches in 2012 and 2014, will each host one simultaneous match in the group stages.
