Southeast Asia’s Premier International Tournament Takes Shape
The wait is over! The lineup for the 2024 ASEAN Championship has been finalized, with Timor-Leste securing a 1-0 aggregate triumph over Brunei Darussalam in the qualifying playoff. The ten teams that will contest Southeast Asia’s premier international tournament at the end of the year are now set to battle it out.
Group A: A Tough Road Ahead
Timor-Leste will slot into Group A, alongside defending champions and record seven-time winners Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Cambodia. This group promises to be highly competitive, with each team bringing their unique strengths to the table.
Group B: A Clash of Titans
Meanwhile, Group B is shaping up to be equally fierce, with Indonesia and Vietnam leading the charge. These two teams have a history of reaching the third stage of the Asian qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup, and will be joined by Philippines, Myanmar, and Laos in what promises to be a thrilling group stage.
Assessing the Teams
With less than two months to go until kickoff, each team is busy fine-tuning their preparations. Here’s a snapshot of where each team stands right now:
Cambodia: A New Era Begins
After parting ways with Felix Dalmas, Cambodia played their first matches under interim head coach Koji Gyotoku, securing a 3-2 win over Chinese Taipei and a 3-0 loss to Hong Kong. Youngsters Min Ratanak and Sieng Chanthea are growing in influence, but can they make a mark on the tournament?
Indonesia: Riding High
Indonesia continues to impress in the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite a first defeat to China. With an influx of Europe-born players of local heritage, coach Shin Tae-Yong has a wealth of talent to choose from. But will they be available for the ASEAN Championship?
Laos: A Fresh Start
Laos has not played an official match in over a year, but new coach Ha Hyeok-Jun is tasked with revitalizing the team. A recent training camp in Thailand saw 16 uncapped players involved, with only two boasting more than 20 international appearances. Can they spring a surprise?
Malaysia: Finding Their Feet
Malaysia’s 4-0 loss to New Zealand was a setback, but coach Pau Marti handed a first cap to Selangor defender Harith Haiqal. With a friendly against India on Nov. 19, Marti has one last chance to fine-tune his tactics before the tournament.
Myanmar: Stepping Up
Myanmar took on Sri Lanka in back-to-back home matches, winning 2-0 and drawing 0-0. While the opposition was not the strongest, Myanmar will face a sterner test against Singapore on Nov. 15.
Philippines: New Coach, New Hope
After a 3-0 loss to Thailand, Philippines bounced back to finish third in the King’s Cup with a 3-0 victory over Tajikistan. New coach Albert Capellas has his work cut out, but recent overseas-born additions are providing a boost.
Singapore: Focused on the Future
Singapore opted for centralized training in Japan, taking on three J1 League clubs in practice matches. While the results were mixed, coach Tsutomu Ogura blooded a plethora of young prospects. They’ll face Myanmar and Chinese Taipei in friendlies next month.
Thailand: Reigning Champions
Thailand won their own King’s Cup tournament for the first time since 2017, beating Syria 2-1 in the final. Suphanat Mueanta continued his hot streak, while talismanic playmaker Chanathip Songkrasin also netted in both matches.
Timor-Leste: The Underdogs
Timor-Leste’s quest began well, beating Brunei 1-0 in the first leg courtesy of a Gali Freitas winner. Although they were unable to repeat the feat in the return encounter, a 0-0 draw was enough to secure their place in the tournament.
Vietnam: Staying Focused
Vietnam’s preparations were hampered by Lebanon’s withdrawal from a triangular tournament, but they still managed a 1-1 draw with India. Captain Que Ngoc Hai was denied from the penalty spot, but 21-year-old Bùi Vĩ Hào scored his first senior goal.
The stage is set for a thrilling ASEAN Championship. Who will emerge victorious? Only time will tell.
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