The return of Southeast Asia’s biggest football competition is now set in stone.
In an announcement on Friday, the ASEAN Football Federation shared that the 2020 AFF Suzuki Cup — which it postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic — will now take place from April 11 to May 8 in 2021.
“We are delighted with the positive support that we have had from our Member Associations, and that we have been able to find a suitable window next year to hold our most highly anticipated tournament,” said AFF President, Major General Khiev Sameth.
Besides the notification of the tournament dates, the aforementioned official shared that the organizing body hopes to hold the matches in a home-and-away format, like in the 2018 edition.
“While we are well aware that the fight against the global pandemic is not over, we are cautiously optimistic for the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 to take place in its full format as we hope to deliver the best of ASEAN in the tournament next year,” added Sameth.
This development comes as football leagues in the region are in the midst of finishing or starting their respective seasons. Locally, Philippines Football League clubs are already training under approval from the Games and Amusement Board and the Inter-Agency Task Force.
“The AFF also hopes that the announcement of the 2021 tournament dates will provide some clarity in planning for our commercial partners, including sponsors and media broadcasters, at a time of uncertainty,” added Sameth.
“AFF and our Member Associations would like to express gratitude to all our fans, players, coaches, officials, media and other partners for their unwavering support and commitment despite these challenging times, and look forward to the AFF Suzuki Cup unifying the whole of South East Asia when we are able to come together again.”
Come the tournament, the Philippine Men’s National Football Team, under the guidance of Scott Cooper, hopes to reach the finals for the first time in history amidst being a perennial semi-finalist from 2010.
