AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 to take place between November 23-December 31

The ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Competitions Committee agreed to leave unchanged the dates for the 2020 AFF Suzuki Cup, from November 23 to December 31, during its online meeting on June 11.

Permanent Vice President of the VFF Tran Quoc Tuan participates in an online meeting of the AFF Competitions Committee on June 11. (Photo: VFF)
Permanent Vice President of the VFF Tran Quoc Tuan participates in an online meeting of the AFF Competitions Committee on June 11. (Photo: VFF)

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Members of the committee expressed their admiration for and congratulations regarding the official resumption of football activities in Vietnam thanks to the effective efforts made by the Government and people in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, Vietnam is also the only country in Southeast Asia to be allowing fans into stadiums to watch matches and support their favourite teams.

Amidst the complicated developments of the coronavirus disease, the meeting focused discussions on plans for the organisation of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020, the region’s biggest football event of the year. Specifically, the biennial tournament will be held after the conclusion of the second round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Permanent Vice President of Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) Tran Quoc Tuan, who is deputy head of the AFF Competitions Committee, proposed expanding the preliminary registration list of each participating team from 50 to 70 people, the official registration list to 30 players from the current 23, and the official line-up to 23 instead of 20.

He also recommended applying a new FIFA rule that allows teams to make up to five substitutions per match, instead of three as at present, to protect players’ health in this period of COVID-19 prevention and control and to limit injuries due to overloading.

Vietnam are the reigning AFF Suzuki Cup champions.

The Vietnamese official’s proposals received strong support from other members in attendance.

As scheduled, the draw for the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 will be held this August. Talking to AFF President Khiev Sameth, Tuan said that given the current COVID-19 situation in some countries in the region, the Competitions Committee also considered the possibility of organising this event in Vietnam, which has effectively controlled the disease.

With favourable conditions regarding disease prevention and control, the VFF stands ready to host the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 draw if it receives permission for such from the Goverment and relevant agencies, he stated.

In addition to discussing organisational plans for the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020, the AFF Competitions Committee reached consensus on organising the 2020 AFF Futsal Club Championship on December 2-7 and rescheduling the 2020 AFF Futsal Championship for January 25-31, 2021. Both these futsal events will be hosted by Thailand.

The proposals of the AFF Competitions Committee will be considered for approval during an online meeting of the AFF Council this June 16.