Singapore Lions avoid defending champions Vietnam, but will face tough tests in Thailand, Myanmar and the Philippines
Image via AFF Suzuki Cup
21 September 2021, Kuala Lumpur - Singapore has been drawn in Group A of this year's AFF Suzuki Cup football tournament with 5-time champions Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, and the winner of a pre-qualification match between Brunei and Timor Leste. Singapore are 4-time champions of the ASEAN football showpiece, but have not lifted the trophy since 2012, when they overcame Thailand 3-2 on aggregate.
Image via AFF Suzuki Cup
The Lions first won the trophy in 1998 when defender R Sasikumar scored the only goal in dramatic fashion off his shoulder in the final against hosts Vietnam in front of a partizan home crowd.
They then went on to win two more back to back editions in 2004 and 2007 under the tutelage of Raddy Avramovic, before the 2012 victory.
Image via AFF Suzuki Cup
Since then, the Republic has not progressed beyond the group stage for the 2014, 2016 and 2018 editions which was widely seen as a period of decline for Singapore football across all age groups.
The 2020 edition has been delayed for a year due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and is now scheduled to take place this December.
Image via AFF Suzuki Cup website
2018 AFF Suzuki Cup champions Vietnam have been drawn together with Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia and Laos in Group B today at the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 Official Draw.
For the first time in AFF Suzuki Cup history, the draw took place virtually taking into consideration the health and safety reasons in view of the ongoing COVID-19 situation.
Image via AFF Suzuki Cup
The official tournament draw was conducted this afternoon, in front of an audience made up primarily of AFF member associations, sponsors and fans, and AFF Vice Presidents – Dato’ Sri Francisco Kalbuadi Lay and Mr Lim Kia Tong, who conducted the draw.
Full fixtures to be released soon.