AFF Suzuki Cup 2012: Official draw on Wednesday

Three time winner Thailand has lost this at last. While one celebrates himself and his booming league, other nations have caught up. Vietnam won his first AFF Cup title in 2008, in the final against the Thais. Even four years later the goal of Lee Cong Vinh hurts from a Thai perspective. Two years later, Thailand even saw his elimination after the group stage. And this time Malaysia lifted the trophy for the first time.

Nearly even more astonishing, the performance by the Philippines. The Azkals had to qualify for the tournament proper and eventually could advance to the semi finals for the first time. Back then, Simon McMenemy was in charge. The young English had only experiences as assistant coach of a lower division side in the UK so far. Meanwhile German Michael Weiss is in charge, which replaced the aforementioned. A clash between Thailand and the Philippines would be interesting not only from coaching perspective. Over the past some players been called up on the sides of the Philippines which are basically Germans but having its roots in the far east. The most notable one is Stephan Schrock, who is playing for Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim. However, with the AFF Cup not being an official FIFA tournament, we most likely not to see him lined up.

Though for the first time since 2007, the Island state will not have to play any qualifying tournament, which in this year is to be played from 5 to 13 October in Myanmar. Then Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Timor-Leaste to battle for two starting places in the final round. The format is a single round-robin tournament.

The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia are all having an automatic starting slot. With the draw on Wednesday it is about whom is facing who in each of the two groups. The top two teams in each group will progress to the semi-finals. Those are played over two legs, as well as the final.

Thailand and Malaysia are co-hosting the AFF Cup 2012. In Thailand the majority of the group stage matches will be played at Rajamangala Stadium. Suphachalasai Stadium is only be used as secondary venue for the last day as both encounters have to be played simultaneously.

A few numbers at glance from the last  ASEAN Football Championship in 2010. The total attendance figures of all matches was 765,320. Of these 150,000 followed both finals between Indonesia and Malaysia. Approx. 192 million watched the competition on television. For the prize money. The winner can expect a cheque with 200,000 US Dollars while the defeated finalist can take home 75,000 US Dollar.