2008 AFF Suzuki Cup Groups announced

[IncredibleLE]

They announced the grouping for the 2008 Asean Football Federation Cup yesterday in Jakarta. Here's how it will play:
Group A
Singapore (Defending Champions)
Indonesia
Myanmar
(Undetermined)
Group B
Thailand
Vietnam
Malaysia
(undetermined)

Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Brunei, and Timor Leste are going to participate in a qualifying tourney in Phnom Penh starting in Oct. The top nation goes into Group A and the runner-up goes into Group B. The actual Suzuki Cup will not start until Dec. 5.

[calebk]

Well it's over for us anyways. Keeper's mistakes against Vietnam really cost us badly. No way were we ever gonna beat the Thais on their own ground.

[IncredibleLE]

the thais look pretty strong so far. i can see why they are the favorites in the tourney. looks like Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam in the knockout stages

[calebk]

More like definitely those 4 in the knockout :D. Guess it will be a Singapore Thailand final as I predicted.

[IncredibleLE]

the group stages are all finished up and it will be the big four in the knock-out stages. 1 of group A will take on 2 of group B and vica-versa.

Thailand v Indonesia 1-0 F 12/20
Vietnam v Singapore 0-0 F 12/21

each team will play a home and away match, with the aggregate winners moving on to the Final on the 28th.

[sesfinklboa]

FINAL (Dec/24 & Dec/28)

Thailand vs Vietnam


Semi-Final:
Thailand v Indonesia 2-1 (2nd leg) FINAL: 3-1
Vietnam v Singapore 1-0 (2nd leg) FINAL: 1-0

[calebk]

Looks like it'll be an easy win for Thailand. Pretty surprised Singapore got knocked out.

[IncredibleLE]

Looks like it'll be an easy win for Thailand. Pretty surprised Singapore got knocked out.

how do you figure it will be an easy victory? yes the first match between us came to a 2-0 final but that doesn't tell of how the match was. it was pretty even. vietnam has very dangerous strikers. our defense needs to be beefed up, up look wat happened to one the favorites, singapore. looks like it will be an exciting final.

[calebk]

I know Vietnam has brilliant strikers, Cong Vinh especially. But the Thais have got a better team all round and as you mentioned already, Vietnam's defense is a bit lacking. That's the only reason I'm tipping Thailand. If Malaysia were still in I'd be trying to convince myself of how world class Indra Putra is too :D

I'll be rooting for Vietnam, just to see a new name on the cup. About time too.

[IncredibleLE]

vietnam wins the first leg of the final with a 2-1 victory in Thailand. Next match will be played in Vietnam at the My Dinh national stadium. should be a rowdy crowd there.

[calebk]

Fantastic. Does the away goals rule apply?

[r7raul]

Fantastic. Does the away goals rule apply?

Nope! But, it does not matter anyway!

Viet Nam 1 - 1 Thailand (2nd leg)

Final: Viet Nam 3-2 Thailand

Congratulations! Viet Nam is officially the new champion! :D

[calebk]

Wow is all I can say. And yet another missed chance for Malaysia. Oh well. Congrats to Vietnam, fantastic to finally have a different winner.

Just seen the goal and celebration videos. Fantastic scenes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STsTTOo-m_c

[IncredibleLE]

WHOO!! le cong vinh keeps on coming with it and still no one in the bigger asian leagues is trying to get him. still boggles my mind. my girlfriend told me it was pretty crazy over there a little earlier. she said her family and friends were all in the streets celebrating. after the disappointment from the tiger cup a few years ago, we've finally done it.