Why Southeast Asian football is still struggling to be accepted and respected on the global stage
As the world’s football fans savour tournaments in Europe, why can’t Asean win possession of the world spotlight?

This month, the football world focused its attention on the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan. At the same time Uefa’s Champions League group phase came to an end, while football watchers continued to be astounded by China’s intensifying interest and grand plans in football. Most people were probably not paying too much attention to the AFF Suzuki Cup.
Unless you are a hardcore football fan, it is likely that you are asking ‘what’s the Suzuki Cup?’ The Japanese automotive corporation is title sponsor of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Championship, of which this year’s tournament was the 11th edition.
Asean is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the competition is given Fifa ‘Category A’ status which earns international ranking points for participants.
The AFF has 12 member associations, with this year’s competition being contested between co-hosts Myanmar and the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, and Cambodia. Australia is arguably the best known, most established football nation in Asean, but do no compete in the tournament.

This year’s final will be contested over two legs between Thailand and Indonesia.