AFF Suzuki Cup Latest

GAMES MOVED SOUTH!!


Group Stage games in Thailand have been moved to the Surakul stadium in Phuket.

One game will be played in neighbouring Phang Nga.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/301108_Sports/30Nov2008_sport22.php

Malaysia ready to walkout?? Games moved to Phuket?? What about me!!

Reports in todays Bangkok Post (http://www.bangkokpost.com/291108_Sports/29Nov2008_sport56.php) have suggested that Malaysia are ready to walkout from the AFF Suzuki Cup due to the ongoing Political Crisis in the country. I can't blame them really, but i'm sure it's just a bit of pressure to force AFF into making a decision and moving games to KL

Football Association of Thailand president Worawi Makudi has also stated that the tournement could be moved to Phuket at short notice away from all the political ongoings, but i've also heard the same thing about Chiang Mai.

But come on, with only 1 week left until it all kicks off, some sort of final decision needs to be taken.

Teams need to prepare, previously, teams were given allocated slots to train at certain venues for the tournement. At this moment in time, nobody will be training anywhere, and that's if they manage to get into the country.

I'm sure the held up airports will be freed by the time kick off takes place on 6th December, but are visiting players and fans even going to know where they are going??

I personally enter the country on the 13th December, hopefully by then the situation will be under control, but i'm glad i'm not attending any of the games, as i wouldn't have a cat in hells chance of knowing where the games would be played.

I cannot think for one moment, that anyone has thought of any visiting spectators, the hotels they have booked in advance, the planning they have done to arrive, they have done their bit way in advance, but this whole FAT and AFF decision making is a joke really. I for one know of a few friends that are interested in taking up a semi-final away trip, assuming Thailand make it. Now it wouldn't be fair for them to arrive in Myanmar, Indonesia or Singapore and be messed around, so why do we do it to others?

Someone should stand up and take away the tournement from Thailand now and save something that at this present moment is turning into a mockery and is no longer being a football tournement but just a political headache.

Ok, you can argue it's not FAT who caused the problem, but for the safety of everyone concerned and to put peoples mind's at ease, then simply make the correct choice.

According to the AFF Website, this is the emergency commitee:


President: HE Tengku Tan Sri Dato' Seri Ahmad Rithauddeen
Thailand: Dato' Worawi Makudi
Vice President: Juan Miguel Romualdez
Vice President: Pengiran Matusin Matasan
Vice President: Duong Vu Lam
Vice President: HE Ravy Khek
Hon. Secretary: Dato' Paul Mony Samuel
Timor Leste: Hon. Francisco Kalbuadi

Surely they should be working hard now?

Thailand 2 - 0 TOT FC

Yes, thats right.

Thailand preparing for AFF Suzuki Cup by beating a Telephone Company 2-0.

Next up, a Korat XI. What does this really prepare us for?

Surely, better opposition could be brought in at this stage?

AFF Suzuki Cup Rivals - Laos

Ok, Laos, a side i didn't really expect to see in the final format.

They are a country that develop good youth sides, but never do anything else amongest the regional scene.

This year, they decided to play their youngsters, the guy's who will play in SEA Games next year held in Laos. Basically thrown into the deep end to see what they are made of, and boy they came through, over much more fancied opponents in Philippines.

Laos, are a nation that always withdraws from qualifying stages in FIFA and AFC compeitions, and i suppose this isn't a bad thing really, as you would only expect them to get drubbed.

They are probably the strongest nation out of the pool of small nations in the South East Asian region.

I certainly don't expect to see them qualify or even win this time round, afterall, the is just a build up for next year for them at least. So 3 points is what iu fully expect in this matchup, and the chance for Reid to give fringe players an opportunity and certainly give players any needed rest.

Any side we put out, in theory should get the job done. I don;t expect a huge victory, but any victory really and to see a side start to gel would make me happy, but probably not the rest of the nation.

AFF Suzuki Cup Rivals - Vietnam

Quick guide to our future matchup's - first Vietnam:

This year, it's really been about promoting the youngsters and entering tournements such as the Merdeka and Myanmar Challenge Cup's with age restricted teams. The goal for this is the SEA Games in Laos next year.

The full national side haven't had an awful lot to do this year since getting knocked out of the World Cup qualifiers way back in late 2007 in Round One, some what of a disapointment after doing well in the AFC Asian Cup that hey helped host.

We of course, have just met Vietnam in the T&T Cup, which we drew 2-2. Vietnam of course can be a hard place to go to get a victory, but playing them at home and playing any of our ASEAN rivals at home i feel is 3 points guranteed for us, our at least should be , but we do tend to struggle away.

Last time out as the ASEAN Cup, we beat Vietnam 2-0 at home and drew 0-0 away. This time, we are playing for points on home soil on the 6th December. Anything could happen really in the opening matchp, but i do expect a victory.

Vietnam have only played 6 games this year, all friendlies such as the forementioned T&T Cup and the HCM City Cup. Two tournments that play in Vietnamese rival cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

But their compeition? They don't really go away from the South East Asian region, playing Us, Singapore, Myanmar and Indonesia. There only other challenges have been against Turkmenistan and North Korea, who would go anywhere really.

Recent results:

Indonesia 1 - 0 Vietnam
Vietnam 2 - 3 Myanmar
Vietnam 2 - 3 Turkmenistan
Vietnam 0 - 0 Singapore
Vietnam 0 - 0 North Korea
Vietnam 2 - 2 Thailand

They have one last preperation match before they meet us again, and thats against Singapore, another ASEAN rival.

So, what do i expect on 6th December? Really, nothing but a solid victory and then move on to play Laos.

Whats happened to the King's Cup??

So, last i heard, the King's Cup football tournement was moved from October to January because of other national team commitments, such as the T&T Cup.

Only one nation was confirmed as coming to the event at the time of the press release in early October, tht nation was North Korea.

But since early October, have we heard anything else?? No, not a scobby doo!!


If FAT are serious about football and keeping the tradition of the King's Cup going every year, then they have to start promoting.

Of course now, everyone's eyes are in the AFF Suzuki Cup, but lets not forget our tradition, and if anything else, we at least get competitive games under our belts for the crucial Asian Cup Qualifiers.

So what is the King's Cup really?

First played in 1968 and won by Indonesia, you could say it is a kind of small man's Merdeka tournement and the sides that came to play were generally from around the close region.

Later on in th late 80's, club sides from Europe started to appear followed by European International sides, albeit, mainly youth or B sides.

Notable winners down the years have been Brazil (Under 20's), Sweden and even Latvia. What it gives us more than anything, is a chance to play against different styles and techniques.

But the problem of the Cup? It has neve rhad a fixed date, no one is sure of when it will be played, sometimes late in the year, or very early in the year. No wonder no one will confirm there particiation as they can't just come on a whim.

SO....please FAT if you want to get serious, then please start to promote the games, especially when you are hosting them and make the people feel involved instead of having a last minute stab at getting it right.

The whereabouts of Chanvit Phalajivin

Chanvit Phalajivin is wanted by Vietnam V-League side Dong Thap

Full article here:

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/sports/2008/11/814532/