FAS ● Sep 28, 2021
Singapore to play host for AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 tournament
Prestigious ASEAN tournament returns to the Lion City for the fifth time
SINGAPORE, 28 SEPTEMBER 2021 – The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) is pleased to be notified that Singapore has been selected to host the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2020.
The AFF confirmed earlier today that Singapore will be the centralised venue for the 13th edition of Southeast Asia’s flagship international tournament, which is set to be played from 5 December 2021 to 1 January 2022. This will be the fifth time that Singapore will host the AFF Suzuki Cup group stages – the entire first edition in 1996 was staged here, while Singapore co-hosted the group stages thrice in 2002, 2007 and 2014.
The AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 offers the ideal opportunity to unite the region through a top-class sporting event at this time and Singapore’s health and safety protocols, together with world-class infrastructure and logistics, will allow all participating nations to compete with peace of mind.
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Singapore is one of the safest countries in Southeast Asia, with one of the lowest total COVID-19 cases to date and the highest vaccination rates (80.1%). With the support of key stakeholders, including Sport Singapore and the Singapore Sports Hub, the FAS submitted its bid for the hosting rights, with a detailed presentation made to the AFF Committee on 27 September 2021. With international events such as the ONE Championship (October 2020) and ATP 250 (February 2021) successfully staged, in addition to the upcoming Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-23 Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers Group H to be held in October, the FAS’ confidence in ensuring a smooth and successful execution of this competition was affirmed by the AFF Council’s decision today.
Additionally, Singapore has the necessary facilities that are capable of staging the 26 matches across the 10-team tournament, including the National Stadium at the Singapore Sports Hub. Multiple training venues will also be available for usage to ensure that all teams can prepare to their best ability. There is no change to the main competition format – each team plays four fixtures in a round-robin system during the group stage and both the two semi-finals and final will be played in a two-legged format.
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FAS President, Mr Lim Kia Tong, said: “We want to express our utmost gratitude to the AFF for its confidence and trust in Singapore to host this prestigious tournament. This edition of the AFF Suzuki Cup will be a unique one, especially in current times, and we will be ready to welcome our friends from Southeast Asia to our shores. We promise to do everything necessary in order to stage a successful tournament where the health and safety of all players and officials will be the top priority and at the same time deliver a football spectacle that will be enjoyed by everyone involved. I know that the Singapore fans are thrilled that the tournament is returning to Singapore for a fifth time, and we look forward to kicking off in December.”
Singapore Men’s National Team Coach, Tatsuma Yoshida, said: “The AFF Suzuki Cup is a tournament that I have heard about since I was in Japan, and I am excited to be leading my boys into it. With the event now being held in Singapore, I know that the home support will roar the team on as we look to do our best – like they always have during my time here. It is my hope that we will be able to have our fans back in the stadium to cheer us on as I am very much looking forward to experiencing that once again.”
Lions captain Hariss Harun said: “For us to be able to host such a prominent tournament for the region is an honour and I am very much looking forward to it. It also means that we have home advantage and if allowed, I hope that the fans will come out in full force because when they do, we can really feel the support and it definitely gives us a boost. Of course, on the playing field, we have to focus on preparing well and giving our best in the tournament.”
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
