The Philippines has been awarded the hosting rights of one of the final group stages of the prestigious Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup in 2016, marking another milestone for the sport in the country. The AFF made the decision Saturday during its regular Council Meeting attended by Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta and PFF general secretary Edwin Gastanes here. “We have been awarded the hosting rights for the 2016 Suzuki Cup,” Gastanes told the Inquirer. “We will be hosting the Suzuki Cup together with Burma (Myanmar).” Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/136601/ph-tabs-2016-aff-suzuki-cup-hosting-rights#ixzz2oA08a8pS The Philippines will have a new stadium in Bulacan built by that time along with the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
It's good to see new nations hosting, but I'm a it surprised at the announcement before the 2014 championship has taken place. Two new hosts, I'm surprised they haven't gone along the route of new host paired with a nation that's hosted before for a bit of security and to lean on the old hand. Philippines have been pressing for a while to get something, so I'm not surprised, but Myanmar, it just feels to me that everyone was gathered in Myanmar and the sentiment has given them this competition. Cambodia as qualifying hosts - now watch them go and win 2014 edition!!
With Myanmar and the Philippines as hosts: which teams will enter the qualification stage? - Cambodia (qualifying hosts) - Laos - Brunei - Timor-Leste (Unless one or more of these nations reach the semi-finals in 2014, which doesn't seem very likely to me) But is that enough for a qualifying tournament? I don't think so, because the other ASEAN-nations (Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and then the hosts Myanmar and the Philippines) together make eight teams, which is the required number of teams for a Suzuki Cup. Assuming that the weakest of these 8 teams, Myanmar and the Philippines, will not enter the qualifying round because they are the hosts, I am quite afraid of not seeing Laos qualify for the tournament...
At this moment we have no idea of who will play in the 2014 qualifiers and with Australia now part of the AFF, then it could be likely that we just have one nation qualifying, which probably isn't actually bad, why we need two qualifiers? Laos qualified last time in 2nd place with just 7 points, that hardly puts the fear into the top teams really. Either qualification has to be opened up to feature all teams except the hosts - highly unlikely - or less teams must be admitted. It all depends on the AFF, what do they want to do for the region? Do they want to help nations like Brunei/Cambodia? If the do, then maybe get more teams in qualification for them to play - nations like Vietnam and Indonesia who missed the cut to the semis in 2012 - they are failures aswell, so why they get direct qualification? I personally would advise the AFF to look at the EAFF competition, maybe make qualification bigger or over two rounds and make the finals smaller to be held in one nation played possibly over a group phase only.
Will there even the a qualifiers come 2016. AFF wanted to eliminate it for 2014 already By announcing the hosts now, they may do it for 2016 now with 2 grp of 6. It looked like a return to 04 edition with more games & more importantly more $
They announced Cambodia would be hosts. Probably because Cambodia are in complete rebuilding mode and its the only nation the AFF can guarantee will not be direct qualifiers. AFF does have a tendency to change the rules as they go along, so any format could happen.
Most of the games in the Philippines for this event will be held at the new Philippine Sports Stadium: https://ph.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/t...ports-stadium-our-new-football-174618095.html Capacity 25000. Field dimensions measures approx. 68 X 105 m acc. to the article, which is within the FIFA recommended dimensions. Hopefully Australia gets to participate in this event by then. Since the Stadium is nearly finished, the PFF President has mentioned in the press conference yesterday for the 2014 AFC annual meeting and awards night which the Philippines will be hosting at the end of November, that they might hold the 2014 Suzuki Cup hosting events at the new stadium if they make it to the semis and finals.
I don't know how feasible this could be but there is a proposal to turn the group stage as well of the 2016 Suzuki Cup, into a home and away format scheduled on FIFA dates to maximize stadium attendance. sports.tempo.com.ph/2014/12/new-format-mulled-in-suzuki-cup/ The 2016 ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup could be lot different than the previous editions. Philippine Football Federation President Nonong Araneta hinted of a new format beginning in the next Suzuki Cup which may see a home-and-away scheme for the group stage instead of the usual hosting by two countries. Araneta bared the possibility after he met with counterparts Dato Worawi Makudi of Thailand, Viphet Sihachakr of Laos and Khiev Sameth of Cambodia, adding the presence of big crowds in participating cities will benefit Southeast Asia’s premier competition. “We’ve seen that if the home team doesn’t play, there’s no crowd and it’s not good for the sponsors,” said Araneta. “At least with the home-and-away format, there’s the support of the crowd.” The proposal has yet to reach the serious stage but one likely scenario is for a double-round format in the group phase with the games being held during the FIFA calendar. The possible change comes a year after the AFF awarded the Philippines and Myanmar as co-hosts of the 2016 edition. Should the AFF stick to its current format, games in the Philippines will be played at the Philippine Sports Stadium which was built right beside the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan while Myanmar may hold the matches in Nay Pyi Taw. _____________ Besides I prefer using those precious FIFA match dates on friendlies against non AFF competition, where we could be exposed to stronger opponents with different styles of play.
Philippines withdraw as hosts of AFF Suzuki Cup 2016 MANILA (24 Feb 2016) – The Philippines Football Federation have notified the ASEAN Football Federation that they have withdrawn as hosts for the upcoming AFF Suzuki Cup 2016. The AFF Competitions Committee will meet at the earliest opportunity to discuss this matter. A decision on a replacement host country will be made by the AFF Council at its next meeting on 12 March 2016 in Da Nang, Vietnam. Myanmar are still the hosts of one group of the biennial championship. http://www.aseanfootball.org/v2/?p=22546
“The Philippines Football Federation had to withdraw as one the hosts for the AFF Suzuki Cup 2016 due to contractual problems,” the AFF said on their official website. “The AFF would like to clarify that despite the PFF’s best efforts, the PFF were unable to deliver the contract with the stadium which was to host the prestigious tournament. The PFF were given two extensions to try to negotiate with the stadium to secure the contract.” The 2016 Suzuki Cup is scheduled to be held from November 19 to December 17. Myanmar will stage all Group A matches at the Thuwunnna Stadium and the Bogyoke Aung San Stadium, whereas Philippines were supposed to host all Group B matches at the Rizal Memorial Stadium and the Philippine Sports Stadium. According to AFF general secretary Azzuddin Ahmad, the three countries in the running to join Myanmar as hosts are Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia. “At the moment, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam stated their interest to host the AFF Suzuki Cup and more will be revealed when we have our meeting on March 12,” he said. www.fourthofficial.com/2016/28794/malaysia-to-replace-philippines-as-aff-suzuki-cup-co-hosts/ This is in reference to the new stadium I posted above, the Philippine Sport Stadium which was owned by a private entity. The PFF couldn't come to terms with the owners of the PSS.
Are Australia sending a team this time around? The only problems I see are that it won't be a FIFA mandated tournament (so players don't need to be released). So probably all European players are out. Also will be at the start of the A-League season, so won't get any of those players released either (this would be most the under 23 year olds). The only players really available would be Aussies playing in Asia (which there are a few nowadays) and teenagers.
07 March 2016 Deadline Extension for PFF PHNOM PENH (7 March 2016) – The Philippines Football Federation (PFF) have been given until Saturday, 11 March 2016, to present their contract with the stadium board to the AFF Council who will have their meeting on the same day in Da Nang, Vietnam. This was the decision of the AFF Competitions Committee which met today in Phnom Penh, Cambodia following the appeal from Mariano Araneta, the PFF President. After much deliberation by members of the AFF Competitions Committee, it was agreed to give the PFF a final extension until 5pm on 11 March 2016 to present the relevant official contract. Failing which the host will automatically goes to Malaysia as Singapore and Vietnam had withdrawn their bids to be host. http://www.aseanfootball.org/v2/?p=22600
Looks like the Philippines is hosting one of the group stage matches at the 2016 Suzuki Cup after all: PFF Advisory on AFF Suzuki Cup Hosting 12 Mar PFF Advisory on AFF Suzuki Cup Hosting Football.com.ph “The AFF Council has confirmed during its meeting today at Da Nang, Vietnam the hosting by the Philippines of the Group Stage of AFF Suzuki Cup 2016 on 19-26 November 2016. The hosting of this event is an opportunity and a challenge to PFF and all football stakeholders in the Philippines. PFF is thankful for the robust support of the Philippine Sports Commission and the meaningful cooperation of the Philippine Sports Stadium to help promote football especially to our nation’s youth.- PFF General Secretary Ed Gastanes with PFF President Mariano Araneta at Da Nang, Vietnam” - See more at: http://football.com.ph/pff-advisory-aff-suzuki-cup-hosting/#sthash.E1FO0J9w.dpuf
Philippines Get the Nod from AFF Council DA NANG (12 March 2016) – The Philippines will co-hosts the AFF Suzuki Cup 2016 at the end of this year after receiving the nod from the AFF Council which met today in the coastal city of Da Nang here in Vietnam. The other host of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2016 is Myanmar. This follows the ability of the Philippines Football Federation (PFF) in handing over all deliverables before the deadline yesterday evening. And today, the AFF Council was presented with the contract between the PFF and the Philippines Sports Stadium as well as the letter of guarantee from the Philippines Sports Commission. “We are very glad to receive the support from the AFF Council and now we can move on and work towards hosting a successful AFF Suzuki Cup,” said Atty Edwin B Gastanes, the general secretary of the PFF. “Both hosts will have a lot of work to do as this is the first time that both countries will be hosting the AF Suzuki Cup and we have to make sure that we do everything possible.” The 25,000 seater Philippines Sports Stadium will be the main venue of the AFF Suzuki Cup while the Rizal Memorial Stadium with a capacity of 12,500 will be the secondary stadium of the blue-riband AFF event. The group stage of the AFF Suzuki Cup will be held on 19-26 November 2016. www.aseanfootball.org/v2/?p=22628
It would be nice to see the Aussies send a team even if not full strength. They are part of the AFF after all.
The biggest issue would be the timing. It would probably have to be a youth team (of players that mainly are bench warmers at their clubs).
It probably would be better if Australia will not participate if they will not field a competitive team for the Suzuki Cup.
PFF wants all seats taken for Suzuki Cup By Olmin Leyba (The Philippine Star) | Updated March 14, 2016 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines – Now that the hosting of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup is secured, the Philippines faces the task of bringing in the big crowd for the group matches at the 20,000-seater Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan. The Philippine Azkals had previously used the PSS as home stadium for a couple of their assignments in the joint Fifa World Cup-AFC Asian Cup qualifiers and their last outing drew 7,500 spectators in a Sept. 2015 losing game to Uzbekistan. So the challenge is obviously to launch major drumbeating efforts to generate interest and support to the Suzuki Cup – Southeast Asia’s centerpiece competition – from everyone. “We feel confident we can draw the attendance required and we are already taking steps to make sure we go in the right direction,” Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta said in an interview on the AFF website. “We’re looking at initiating a proper marketing plan from an outside company possibly to assist in the PR exercise….we are confident we can deliver what is expected,” he added. The PFF on Saturday saved the country’s first-ever hosting of the Asean showpiece after submitting required documents (contract with the PSS and a letter of guarantee from the Philippine Sports Commission, administrator of the secondary venue, Rizal Memorial, to the AFF Council. The body, in turn, confirmed Phl’s first-ever staging of the final rounds. http://www.philstar.com/sports/2016/03/14/1562775/pff-wants-all-seats-taken-suzuki-cup
http://footballchannel.asia/2016/03/14/post9944/ Myanmar & phillipines will be the last co-host as AFF change the format of Suzuki Cup From 2018, 10 teams in 2 groups to play in a home-away format with a twist though, it is 2 home & 2 away only & not 8 games. Top 2 from each group reach semi-final & the format for semi-final & final are unchanged based on home-away It for $ but how long will this competition last for this new format
AFF Suzuki Cup draw: Malaysia to avoid Thailand in group stage Malaysia will avoid regional powerhouse Thailand in the year-ending AFF Suzuki Cup group stage, unlike the previous two editions where the defending champions and runners-up met in the round-robin. The AFF Suzuki Cup draw on August 2 will place Malaysia and Thailand in Pot 2, allowing them to avoid each other in the group stage. The two countries are the top seeds of the 2016 edition due to their performance in the previous two years, where Thailand won the 2014 edition and finished runners-up in 2012 while Malaysia were runners-up last time out and reached the last-four four years ago. In the 2014 edition, 2012 finalists Singapore and Thailand were drawn in group B while 2010 finalists Malaysia and Indonesia faced each other in Kuala Lumpur. Co-host Philippines and Myanmar will be in Pot 1 while Singapore and Vietnam are in Pot 3. Asean Football Federation (AFF) general-secretary Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad confirmed Indonesia – who were under a FIFA ban from June 2015 to last May – will gain automatic entry into the competition and will be placed in Pot 4 alongside a qualifier. Indonesia are ranked sixth in the AFF ranking but there were suggestions that the Garudas may have to go through the qualifiers as seventh-ranked Myanmar have an automatic spot by virtue of being co-hosts. Previously the qualifying round offered two places in the tournament proper. Laos, Timor Leste, Cambodia and Brunei compete in the qualifiers in Cambodia in October. The 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup commences on November 19 and the two-legged final on December 14 and 17. Pot 1: Philippines & Myanmar Pot 2: Thailand & Malaysia Pot 3: Singapore & Vietnam Pot 4: Indonesia & Qualifier Read more at http://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/news/...void-thailand-group-stage#lDii0XBklFtW2KbR.99
AFF Suzuki Cup prepares for blast off 21-Jul-2016 The highly anticipated Official Draw for the AFF Suzuki Cup 2016, Southeast Asia’s biggest football tournament, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, will take place on Tuesday, 2 August in Yangon, organisers confirmed today. Myanmar and the Philippines, co-hosts for the group stages from November 19 to 26, will be joined in the hat by defending champions Thailand, fellow four-time winners Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. The Official Draw for the qualification round in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from October 15 - 21 will also be held on 2 August. One team from Cambodia, Brunei Darussalam, Laos and Timor-Leste will join the seeded sides in the AFF Suzuki Cup Group Stages. First played in 1996, the biennial AFF Suzuki Cup that crowns the kings of ASEAN football, stirs the passions of patriotic fans throughout the region who closely follow the action at the stadia and on television. Raucous, flag-waving crowds are a feature of the tournament, which dominates conversations at home, in the office place and on social networking sites. With Myanmar and the Philippines newcomers to hosting the Group Stage tournament, the Youth Training Centre 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. The venues for the Qualification round tournament will be the Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium and RSN Stadium. The last match day will kick-off simultaneously. The semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup will be held on December 3/4 (first legs) and December 7/8 (second legs), with the home and away final on December 14 and December 17. http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/aff-suzuki-cup-prepares-for-blast-off
Grp A is the Group of Death with the higher FIFA ranked countries and with the past 2 Suzuki Cup champions.