The Joeys are currently kicking about in the 2016 AFF U-16 Youth Championship, as all our male and female youth teams do every two years, but strangely the Socceroos are absent from the senior edition, the locally very popular AFF Championship, also known as the Suzuki Cup, while lately we've been sending our Female U20s to the Women's senior edition.

Australia has been a full member of the AFF, the South East Asian federation, since a unanimous vote from the existing members in 2013.

I think it'd be a great boost to have the Socceroos involved in this competition in this part of the world that is hugely passionate for football, and growing all the time in economic importance.

The comp is every two years, providing some more regular meaningful matches, and the Semi Finals and Finals are played as home and away ties, also meaning valuable meaningful home matches for FFA to market, and that's even without hosting a Group Stage, another event that would bring fantastic attention to football in Australia and bring back those Asian Cup feels. One state could easily host a group stage on their own.

One stumbling block is scheduling, held for three weeks every second year in late November, early December, in the early stages of the A-League season. If the Socceroos were competing in this year's edition and made the finals, any A-League players called up would miss rounds 7 through to 11, although the Chinese and Korean seasons both end neatly just before the cup.

The other countries might be reticent to risk a full strength Socceroos side stealing the show every time, but we could easily agree to only play Australian/Asian based players, which would be a necessity anyway given the scheduling of the tournament.

I think the good for entering would definitely outweigh the bad, I'd love to see Australia more integrate with our immediate region through football, and I'd love to see us host more meaningful games more often.

No.

We can't send a full strength team. These games are full internationals and effect would effect our FIFA ranking.

Better to suck up to South America and try to get an invitation there every 4-8 years.

I also don't imagine it would be popular with the other countries if we kept winning with a "handicapped" team.

Edited by scott21: 19/7/2016 03:52:41 AM

Good to see you post again, Scott. Haven't seen you post for months! After saying this, I realise you've posted this years ago!

I disagree with you  though.

It is always good to try some new players.

In our team ATM, it is only players like Milligan, Ryan, Mooy and Rogic, who have played a lot of club football and are guaranteed starters in the Socceroos.

The rest are either playing HAL, where there are not too many games;  are not playing first eleven club football; or have not consolidated as Socceroo starters.

The extra games would be good. 

I say yes. We need to help with the development of the game in Asean because that's our role, being the number 1 team in the Asean region.

How are the Asean nations going to get better if we don't play against them with our full strength side.

Besides it will help our squads chemistry so we better understand each other as a team.

Win win as far as I'm concerned

Hows that our fault they're shite?

I'd be all for it. Send a squad of A-League players over. Be able to cap a few new players each tournement. Players like Mustafa Amini, Bernie Ibini, etc would be able to cut their teeth at international level.

Just like we're not sending a team to the East Asian Cup every time. We're missing out.

There's also the EAFF cup (we played in 2013 but skipped 2015 for some reason) where teams like Japan and SKorea always send their B or C team. I'll be happy if we just bring A-League only or U23 players who otherwise are benching warming at their club anyway. It's still great tournament experience and Ange will get to play with different tactics.

I remember Archie Thompson complaining that the players weren't getting paid full International wages. I imagine that had a lot to do with the end of our participation. Interesting enough that was when Mooy first came into frame for the National team. He hit a wonderful goal from a free kick and got the attention of Holga Osieck. For that fact alone it may be beneficial to consider rolling out an Australian B team once in a while.

Yeah, if I remember correctly, the FFA ended up being in the shitter for $30k per player.  Bill for the tourney was about $1M.

Given that it is expensive, qualifies you for nothing, has little standing or reward and grants a 'Roos cap thereby cheapening the shirt, why do it?
It was a highly paid holiday for 2nd rate players.  Archie claimed he was being "forced" to represent his country and should be paid accordingly.  I think it was his last appearance (and fuck him).
Also IIRC the PFA held out that they weren't ever going to back off and if we sent a team it was going to be full cap/full costs job.  Can it is the only sensible answer. 

I'm always up for more football, and especially if we have a decent shot at winning it.

But you've made a good point - it's more about engaging with the ASEAN football community. Flights are easy for fans, and engaging with our neighbours is important in the 21st century.

Also, more international games = more opportunities for the other prospective Socceroos who might not usually get their shot at a cap.

And as for the existing Socceroos, it's more opportunity for them to develop tactics and playing style. Building on what we've already got will help when it comes to taking on the bigger European teams.

Even with the risk of a ranking plummet, I agree that more international football is a good thing.

Well if there is a problem I would like it to be discovered early.

Most European players wouldn't be allowed to play ... as I believe it isn't an authorised FIFA break (so teams don't need to release players). We could still send an Asian based team and A-League players (although again players may not be released by clubs as not required too).

I think we definitely should be sending a team to the tournament. We would stroll through some games but struggle in others (our joeys drew 1-1 with Myanmar in the first game of the current tournament)

Would not be shocked if some A-League clubs refused to release players for the tournament if we entered it.

I am pretty sure releasing players for national duty is a condition of the collective bargaining agreement, I just can't get Acrobat to work on my PC atm.

A win-win solution would be to pick mostly NYL / U23 players or other non-starter seniors. For the players, they get a free trip to Thailand/Vietnam/etc, senior Socceroo caps and any additional bonus. For the clubs and coaches, their players that aren't featuring much in A-League get free publicity and additional game time.

The only way you could get a team together is by using A-League players.

Why would the FFA want to piss off the clubs and Foxtel/FTA?

Who will broadcast these matches?

The FFA want people to watch A-League not Australia C vs Brunei

People want international breaks but this is ok? Bonkers

We have enough complaining from team managers already.

Edited by scott21: 19/7/2016 03:33:26 PM

It is a complete farce that we aren't participating in it already.

For all the wank from Lowy and co of using our AFC move to further integrate with the continent, the other side won't believe that until we actually properly fulfill our commitments.

Fully participating and putting ourselves in a leadership role in the ASEAN region is part of those commitments.

You will still find something to whinge about no matter what Lowy or the FFA did, period.

This will take one thing off that long list. 

Already we appear to have a dichotomy in Australian football between those who prefer domestic football and international football.

I much prefer watching international football with Australian teams playing to viewing HAL.

I also prefer watching ACL to HAL.

I've noticed some posters on here only comment about their HAL clubs, and rarely seem to post anything about the Socceroos.

After last year's Asian Cup, I found it an anti-climax returning to the HAL. Having said this I watch between 3-5 HAL games per HAL round, often taping them if I'm out.

If HAL clubs lose players to international duties , so what? I'm sure the HAL squad players and bench players would simply love a chance to play some HAL senior football.

Graham Arnold used to whinge when he was Socceroo coach about clubs not wanting to release players for international games. Since he has been a HAL coach he now whinges about releasing players for international duty.](*,) :roll:

I'm sure a few HAL players , like Dimi Petratos, who could be in very good form, or recently improved , would love a Socceroo call up.



Edited by Decentric: 19/7/2016 10:32:13 PM

Lets assume the Socceroos made the final. First you have the 3 group matches overseas. Then the 2 semi and 2 legs of the finals. The semi and final legs are played home and away with 3 days apart. If the Socceroos manager can select any players in the A-League then to me it would make sense to have an extended squad (those who travel and some to stay home). They would all be in camp, so you potentially lose 25 players from the league. One team could end up losing 6 players potentially, how good would their A-League weekend fixture be? Then you have the problem of stadium selection. Should the FFA schudule games around "just in case we make the final"?

This is just a result of the time of year we play.

We should also be careful not to seem disrespectful to Asean. It should be their decision, we the newest members and should not come in and try to dictate terms.

You have to think of what they have to lose. Perhaps they arent so keen for a scernario where we come in and dominate every tournament. This tournament is their equivilant of the WC as most struggle to even make the Asian Cup. This could be an instigator of tension. Australia has to be politically and stratigically smart about this. Perhaps the best method is to wait for an invitation.

Nice end result if all we gain is a good feeling that our b team can still beat them and they just get resentful.




Edited by scott21: 19/7/2016 11:02:54 PM

Now is not the right time. The next Asian Cup (2019) will be an expansion to 24 teams instead of 16. As it seems more likely that more Asean country will qualify in the future Australia may be invited to post 2020.

Side note- Good to see Indonesia is playing 2016 and have their FIFA ban lifted.

Edited by scott21: 19/7/2016 11:16:26 PM

All your points make a lot of sense from a club perspective and for fans who think domestic club football is paramount over international fixtures, albeit at a lower level.

Everything you suggest is plausible - from a club perspective. Club coaches are also far more interested in their own career successes than their players' potential international futures.

Even if 25 payers were absent, with an average of 2-3 from each HAL club, it creates an opportunity for fringe players at those clubs.

The one thing is that no player should be denied an opportunity to play international team football, because it is not in the best interests of a club coach.

Benjamin and I have often had this discussion. I see a league as subservient to the best interests of the national teams. He sees the league as totally independent and relatively autonomous. That is why England underperforms as a national team and we probably overperform.

I'm concerned about a few players, who HAL coaches deem lack the requisite skill set to be HAL regulars ATM.

Josh McDonald - this guy is a decent technician. Is he another player like Mooy or Elrich, who Popa thinks is not good enough, but who excel in another HAL setting?

McDonald 's development appears to have suffered from the recruitment of the two Spanish midfielders and Nichols. I think McDonald would greatly benefit by Nichols being called up into a Socceroo camp.


Kieran Bacchus- when he has played for WSW to me he looks the goods. He should be a HAL regular. He would benefit from a few teammates disappearing for a month.

Connor Pain- seemed to go backwards after having a lot of bench time. An enforced Socceroo absence from teammates, would be good. As BFK faded last year, MV did not have a replacement in Pain, as he had lost confidence and form from not playing.

Devante Clut - looked good at Roar under Thiessen. The Aloisi's had a different view. Another guy who could've benefited from some teammates in a Socceroo camp.

Thomas Deng - looked good enough for to be a HAL regular. Another who would've benefited from team-mates disappearing for a while.

Hagi Gligor - another prospect.


To me national teams create an opportunity for other players.

Arnie is now under pressure as a coach as his adversaries have improved . He is under the pump and moans about everything.

didnt we refuse to participate in 2014?

Or just expand the league....

Or just a create second tier league...

I don't see why not. An Australian U23 side, or A-League Socceroo side would be a great fit.
I have personally been to a few Suzuki Cup games in the past when I was based in Singapore and Hanoi.
It is a massive cup for the ASEAN countries, more followed than the Asian cup or World Cup Qualifying.
Its competitive, the atmpsohere is very good, especially at the Thai, Vietnam, Malaysia home games. It means alot to them because realistically they know its the only tournament they could win.

The usual format is 2 groups of 4. Hosted in 2 countries.
Two teams from each group advance. The Semi's and Final both involved 2 legs, home and away, with no away goal rules.

We'd easily sell out AAMI Park if it was a Australia v Vietnam final :)

Don't forget we'd probably have our Asian based players in the squad too ... e.g. Giannou, Sainsbury, Spiranovic, Milligan etc. etc.

In a 10 team league we just don't have enough players to cover the loss of 20+ players for such a significant part of the season. Against that level of opposition we would learn nothing about any players ability to perform at a serious international level either. We should engage in Asian football more, but realistically all we could send to this is a youth team which could be seen as pretty disrespectful.

Let's say all Asian based players are also available, then our list could include:

Giannou (current Socceroo)
Cahill (??) (current Socceroo)
Spiranovic (recent Socceroo)
McGowan (current Socceroo)
Sainsbury (current Socceroo)
Thwaite (ex-Socceroo)
Vidosic (recent Socceroo)
Troisi (recent Socceroo)
Jovanovic
Griffiths, Ryan (ex-Socceroo)
Burns (current Socceroo)
Velaphi
Duke
Paartalu
Mrcela
Leijer
McKain
Smith, Mat
Bridge
Milligan
Holman (come out of retirement?)
Anderson

So that is a list of 23. Then I'd imagine you might be able to get some European players that might not be getting game time (got a few keepers who are third in line). The FFA could then say only 1 to 2 players allowed to be picked from each A-League side (that would give you between 9 and 18 players). Could also pick some youth players to top up numbers ... maybe those sitting on the bench in the A-League but have potential (maybe played for under age Australian teams).

I don't see the problem ...

These aren't FIFA dates. Asian clubs won't release their players .... They don't have to.

They will if their season is over and it already happens anyway for every other regional tournament in Asia. :roll:

Will interrupt their Xmas holiday

Still an issue for A-League players. Let's say they miss 4 games for this, and another 3-4 throughout the season since we don't have international breaks, and you can't reasonably expect clubs to spend a quarter of the season without their best players.

This. Even a Socceroos vs Australia A clash as a one-off/as part of something like Greece's recent visit could drum up interest in the context of HAL/fringe-players staking claims for senior selection.Oz cricket does it; we can too.

I'm not fussed which of the EAFF/ASEAN tourneys we take part in, as long as we're contesting one regularly.

Edited by BA81: 20/7/2016 07:56:35 PM

I'd love it, great oppurtunity for our Aussie based players. Unlike the shite played under Pim and Holger, they'd benefit greatly from being in camp with Ange, despite missing a few rounds of the A-League. Off the top of my head, an XI like this would be great;

Thomas

Geria
Chapman
Ansell
Jamieson

Malik
Petratos
Melling

Borrello
Maclaren
Hoole

Rather youthful, but thats the point. Could maybe add players like Galekovic, Wilkinson, McKay, Elrich, Paartalu, Djite for experince. Maybe some Young Socceroos as well

I know the point of your selection is that they are young but I they would still struggle at a senior level, even against shit Asian teams.

Contrary to what some others may think, the clubs in China, Korean and Japan aren't going to give a shit about their players being called up by Aus for this. There is already a precedent for them releasing players for regional tournaments like EAFF and AFF Championship and their season would be over by the time the tournament starts.

Any opportunity to get our senior team playing more games together is good. Being able to give fringe players like Troisi or Oar, with established players and up and comers is essential to building our squad depth. If Rhys Williams or Herd came good with Perth again we could have tested them in this before throwing him to the wolves in a WCQ.

We'd be working with something fun like this if we were playing this year (assumes Antonis is coming back).




Galekovic
Wilkinson
Risdon
Herd
Nichols
Troisi
Maclaren

No Europeans or Middle East based players (Their season is the same as Europe) although it maybe possible for someone like Gersbach who plays in a calendar year league.

It's also during the winter break in Russia.

The difference between the ASEAN Cup (Suzuki Cup) and the EAFF is that in the Suzuki Cup there is passion, every country plays their heart out, like its the only tournament they are every likely going to win. Winning the Suzuki Cup means the world to them. They'd give an Australian B or U23 side a good run for their money, in my opinion.
Plus, home and away legs for both Semi Finals and Finals would be an added bonus, and can only be good for Australian Football. Not sure what kind of Australian side we should field, but we should definitely participate in this.

I set up a thread on this topic.:)

It seems in the 2018 edition there will be a different format

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/format-aff-suzuki-cup-finalised-080800788.html

/thread.

wooops

Edited by heyitsrobbie: 24/7/2016 01:48:48 AM

Who holds the Socceroo's TV rights for the AFF Suzuki Cup? Can the FFA make money from it>>?. The new format looks like it should be able to get bums on seats.

New format sounds brilliant for supporting the Roos. Hope FFA let's us play.

I think the best part for the FFA is that they won't have half the rights signed away to the AFC's dodgy "marketing partner".

:) don't think little cobber would be so enthusiastic being on the wrong end of 10-0 schalacking at home.

Bump.

I'm on a couple days' stopover on the way back from Europe in South East Asia right now (unlike certain others, my resort has wifi) and it's blatantly obvious that this part of the world is as absolutely bananas for football as ever.

The South East Asian countries are emerging not just as football nations but as major economic players, and I would say the FFA's lack of action over the last decade in integrating Australian football more with ASEAN is such a blatantly missed opportunity that ranks as high amongst their biggest fuckups one can name.

I would say their taste in the game has also matured since I first came here eight years ago for Chonburi v Victory in the ACL; while coverage for the big Euro leagues abound, especially Leicester given the local ownership, today I saw young people getting around in Buriram, Muangthong and national team shirts, and the local rag on my table at the place I just had dinner was cover to cover with the local game. If they can get over Eurosnobbery in South East Asia, anyone can!

We're also about to get a huge dose of the passion they have for the game here with the Socceroo's WCQ away in Bangkok next month, can't wait for that one!

If I was in charge, I'd be looking at engaging single states to host a special AFF Championship every four years including and hosted by Australia, Copa America Centenario style (which was a special centenary edition of the South American Copa America, hosted by the USA) in August in the years after Asian Cups, eg 2020, 2024, etc. That would not clash with the current schedule of WCQs, and be early enough in preseason for Euro based Aussies to come, but if we have to go with mostly Australia/Asia based and young gun squad then no harm done, far from it, actually.

I think it would actually have greater appeal than the Asian Cup proper did, which hosted a majority of inaccessible teams like Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, etc, and instead not only capture the local diaspora's passion but also the wider population's comprehension in playing "real" countries like Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia on a regular basis.

My ideal comp would have the top eight AFF countries (ideally after a playoff comp for the minnows) play in the obvious two groups of four with semis and final in the last two weeks of August in "Olympic" years, making it five matchdays in say sixteen days for the finalists, segueing nicely into the FIFA window WCQs which have stayed solidly scheduled for the first two Tuesdays/Wednesdays of September for a while now, to say nothing of the neat segue into the A-League season, all while still getting cleanish air before the AFL and NRL finals.

It would be a relatively cheap event for state governments to pull off with 100% already existing infrastructure, and I imagine they'd be keen on it. Victoria, for example, could easily host it with the Final and major Socceroos games at Etihad, second tier games at AAMI and Kardinia Parks and third tier games at Lakeside Stadium and Morsehead Park in Ballarat, while NSW and Queensland will have no trouble at all with rectangular venues that fit the bill. Adelaide could swing it with fixtures between Adelaide Oval, Hindmarsh and a modestly upgraded Marden, while even Perth could make do if their turn comes with nib and the new stadium.

Major broadcasters would be more behind it than you might think. They're just coming around to the A-League now, but anything in green and gold and wins for Australia has FTA written all over it, especially against countries that their audience can actually find on the map, and have probably been to.

Call me a dreamer but I think there's a huge, huge opportunity that has gone completely begging.

/Rant. Blame the cheap booze here.

When Indonesia sort out their manufacturing..... they will become a powerhouse with the inevitable race to the bottom. #PersibBandung4A-League

Good post.

Good thread.

Yeppppppp

We whinge about us not having enough influence in Asia but we aren't willing to put in the hard work to show our commitment. Ever since we joined the AFC we've been all "We're special, Australia is unique, why can't we do things our way" before we've even earned the right to break away from the pack. We should deadest be in a leadership role in the AFF by now but we have no right to do so whilst we pick and chose how much we want to engage the region.

 The only way we are going to keep the Arabs in check is if we can gain the respect and trust from the rest of the east and participating fully in AFF is part of that.

To be honest, I have the exact same feelings about this outside of Football as well. Australia in general should be moving away from the US and UK and going all in on our local region.

Well said.

Good time to bump this after we all saw what a good game Thailand brought to us in Melbourne.

Its because we are special and unique. 

would definitely like to be a part of this tournament
send an a league only side
great stepping stone to the NT

Brilliant idea.

It would help push the brand of the a-league inti the minds of those in that oart of Asia.

Would be good to see our clubs scout a decent player or two from that part of the world too.

Finally Pala has found a backpackers joint with WIFI lol.

I'm genuinely sorry for the other Roar fans that haven't blocked your shit bants.

If anyone wants to be a part of this they can't complain when the league doesn't have FIFA breaks.

Send a state based squad lol. At least that way we can compete. 

Or we could just have a mid season break in one of the hottest parts of the year. 

Insert the dullest voice you've ever heard
"We ... Need .... To provide fiiiive ... Games a .. Week to the neetwork"

I reckon there'd be plenty of companies that do business in South East Asia and Australia that would be delighted to sponsor an ASEAN comp including Australia: Air Asia, Tiger Air, Singtel/Optus...

Economic opportunities are so obvious they don't even bare discussion.

First leg of the 2016 final is on right now between Indonesia and Thailand.

Cheers

Why Southeast Asian football is still struggling to be accepted and respected on the global stage

Thailand fans before the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup 2016 semi-final second leg against Myanmar at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok. Photo: EPA
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.

Thailand’s Chanathip Songkrasin (left) and Yan Aung Kyaw of Myanmar. Photo: APThailand’s Chanathip Songkrasin (left) and Yan Aung Kyaw of Myanmar. Photo: AP

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

Buoyant interest in the competition is not unusual; indeed, in 2012 more than 190 million people are thought to have watched the tournament on television, including 15 million Indonesian fans alone as their national team contested the final. But the apparent health of these figures masks a harsher reality.

What’s the link between Wolves, Brad Pitt and UK broadcaster Channel 4? The Chinese concept of ‘guanxi’ holds the key

When Thailand played Singapore in this year’s competition, there were only 359 people inside the stadium to watch the game. Perhaps unsurprising when the region’s highest ranked Fifa nation is Australia (which is in itself an issue) in 48th place, after which the Philippines appears in 117th place.

Football in Asean does not have the commercial appeal of the European game, nor the associated perceptions of glamour that accompany football in, say, Argentina or Brazil. As a result, even the most ardent football fans from across the world are likely to struggle to name players or clubs from the region. Indeed, in preparing this piece I tried to note down prominent people or organisations linked to Asean. My list reached three.

Sarawut Masuk celebrates with Teerasil Dangda against Singapore. Photo: EPASarawut Masuk celebrates with Teerasil Dangda against Singapore. Photo: EPA

It revealed a great deal about my personal ignorance, but sadly also about the world’s knowledge about and perceptions of the Asean region. To my embarrassment, the list consisted of: Peter Withe, Manchester United, and Vincent Tan. That I should recall these three in particular nevertheless reveals a great deal, both about my European perceptions of the region’s football, and about the challenges it faces.

Former Aston Villa and England international player Withe has had a long association with football in Thailand. After a distinguished career as a player, the majority of his managerial career has been spent in the Asean region. During this time, he has managed Thailand and Indonesia, as well as Thai club sides PTT Rayong and Nakhon Pathom United. Withe did so without ever having managed at the top-level in European football.

How Chinese corporations are leading the way in country’s global grab for football

Unlike China and Japan, the best coaches and managers don’t flock to the Asean countries. This could be a reflection of football’s profile, importance and quality in the region, though it could also be a reflection of the salaries that are paid, and of the perceptions of career development that coaches and managers have should they consider moving to Southeast Asia. Perhaps it is also a case too of local managers simply not being good enough.

Manchester United sprang to mind and made it onto my list because of the large numbers of fans the club has across the Asean region. That said, Arsenal and Liverpool also have strong followings in the region and could easily have made my list. English football has always been very good at signing television deals in the region, which dates back several decades.

Manchester United's Michael Owen against Malaysia in 2009. Photo: APManchester United's Michael Owen against Malaysia in 2009. Photo: AP

As such, many of the region’s football fans were brought-up with English clubs being beamed directly into their living rooms. This has resulted in successful fan engagement for many English clubs, with locals often more predisposed to the likes of United than to their own domestic teams. To illustrate this point, when the Reds played against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur during the summer of 2009, the game was an 85,000 sell-out.

Getting anywhere near this level of attendance is proving to be a major challenge across the Asean countries, a situation that is hardly helped when some of the region’s richest individuals and businesses have also looked westwards for opportunities.

How One Belt, One Road is guiding China’s football strategy

Malaysian multi-millionaire Tan has possibly become the most obvious face of this, although many football fans see him more as a pantomime villain. Cardiff City owner Tan is infamous for his failed attempts to change the colour of City’s shirts from traditional blue to a more commercially appealing red.

Tan’s somewhat idiosyncratic approach to club ownership has drawn scorn amongst critics, although he is not alone in attracting derision. Reading’s co-owner, Thai businesswoman Khunying Sasima Srivikorn, stunned fans (and possibly made ears bleed) with a self-penned club song.

Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan. Photo: ReutersCardiff City owner Vincent Tan. Photo: Reuters

Meanwhile her compatriot Thaksin Shinawatra had such an ill-fated spell as owner of Manchester City that Sven-Goran Eriksson, one of the team’s managers during that time, claimed the Thai ‘didn’t have a clue’ about running a football club.

Whether due to lack of knowledge or experience, or for completely different reasons, there is consequently a sense that football in the Asean region is hardly served by suitably qualified or competent leaders and managers.

Football has entered the Asian era – and the region is reinventing the global game

This situation is not helped by other factors either, such as Australia’s recent inclusion within the Asean group of countries or by the growth of China’s interest in football.

Australia joined the Asian Football Confederation in 2006 and Asean football in 2014, decisions that were and still are laden with politics.

Indonesia's Stefano Janjte Lilipaly (left) in action against Vietnam's Nguyen Trong Hoang. Photo: EPAIndonesia's Stefano Janjte Lilipaly (left) in action against Vietnam's Nguyen Trong Hoang. Photo: EPA

Although some leaders within Asean football have welcomed the opportunities this has created, others are more sceptical. Indeed, several people have actually called from Australia to disengage from Asian football and head back to the Oceania confederation. The issue of Australia almost seems like an endless and unnecessary distraction.

As for China, the regional giant is occupying Asean’s attention as the Middle Kingdom has embarked on a massive football investment programme. Not only is this grabbing the headlines in East Asia, it is also soaking-up resources – playing, managerial, financial and otherwise.

Guess how many Asian brands have deals with the English Premier League

This has only added to the challenges facing football in countries like Indonesia and Myanmar, and China has only just commenced its quest to stage and win the Fifa World Cup.

There are some bright spots for Asean, for example the success at Thai-owned Leicester City. This proves that there is an appreciation from within the region of what it takes to be successful in football. Even so, this was the English Premier League, once again suggesting that at least within the region, the likes of the AFF Suzuki Cup and its winner still have some way to go in being accepted and respected by world football.

This piece is published in partnership with Policy Forum.net (www.policyforum.net), an academic blog looking at regional public policy based at the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy.


http://m.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2054449/why-southeast-asian-football-still-struggling-be-accepted-and-respected

You wouldn't get release for European based players and it's highly probable Asian based players wouldn't get released as well so it would have to be a squad based on A League players.

So for five rounds (20% of the season) clubs would be without several key players, the impact would vary club-club but Brisbane for example would potentially lose Maclaren and DeVere plus other Australian qualified players to back fill for 20+ missing European players. The impact would be significant

The A league would become a domestic joke every second year, I can't imagine attendances would hold up during that period either, and I doubt fox sports would be happy.

Unless we align our season to the rest of Asia I'd say no, the HAL has enough challenges without shooting ourselves in the foot every second year

I proposed a solution to this on page 2:

If I was in charge, I'd be looking at engaging single states to host a special AFF Championship every four years including and hosted by Australia, Copa America Centenario style (which was a special centenary edition of the South American Copa America, hosted by the USA) in August in the years after Asian Cups, eg 2020, 2024, etc. That would not clash with the current schedule of WCQs, and be early enough in preseason for Euro based Aussies to come, but if we have to go with mostly Australia/Asia based and young gun squad then no harm done, far from it, actually.
I think it would actually have greater appeal than the Asian Cup proper did, which hosted a majority of inaccessible teams like Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, etc, and instead not only capture the local diaspora's passion but also the wider population's comprehension in playing "real" countries like Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia on a regular basis.
My ideal comp would have the top eight AFF countries (ideally after a playoff comp for the minnows) play in the obvious two groups of four with semis and final in the last two weeks of August in "Olympic" years, making it five matchdays in say sixteen days for the finalists, segueing nicely into the FIFA window WCQs which have stayed solidly scheduled for the first two Tuesdays/Wednesdays of September for a while now, to say nothing of the neat segue into the A-League season, all while still getting cleanish air before the AFL and NRL finals.
It would be a relatively cheap event for state governments to pull off with 100% already existing infrastructure, and I imagine they'd be keen on it. Victoria, for example, could easily host it with the Final and major Socceroos games at Etihad, second tier games at AAMI and Kardinia Parks and third tier games at Lakeside Stadium and Morsehead Park in Ballarat, while NSW and Queensland will have no trouble at all with rectangular venues that fit the bill. Adelaide could swing it with fixtures between Adelaide Oval, Hindmarsh and a modestly upgraded Marden, while even Perth could make do if their turn comes with nib and the new stadium.
Major broadcasters would be more behind it than you might think. They're just coming around to the A-League now, but anything in green and gold and wins for Australia has FTA written all over it, especially against countries that their audience can actually find on the map, and have probably been to.

Would never work for us, the only hope in hell it would ever have is with serious conditions imposed on the squad selection such as an U21 side goes or each A-League club can 'protect' 5 players from being selected. If that was the case then the side going wouldn't generate any attention as most people don't like watching B teams and it could damage the FIFA ranking for the proper Socceroos side. Leave the comp alone, it's great that sides like Indonesia & Thailand have the opportunity to win tournaments 

I think it they send an under age team it doesn't affect rankings.

I don't think A-League players would be released either, so the squad would probably be filled with players A-League clubs allow only. I am pretty sure it is outside of the Asian domestic seasons, so most our Asian players (minus middle east) could play.

A-League players have to be released for national duty.

Do they have to be released if the games aren't on FIFA dates?

Yes - it is in the CBA (but the link to it is dead).  Same as players had to be released for the A-League All Stars game

Wiki has us in but I don't believe it.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_AFF_Championship

I am warming up to us playing in this now for a few reasons.

One is that they are doing home matches now, so Australia would get 1 or 2 matches in Australia (in the group stage).

Because the WC is expanding to 8.5 for Asia I don't think our ranking will be important in the future. Unless we are trying to be a pot 1 WC nation. This means we can play youth and give players caps.

An example is Hrustic. Europe will only gain 3 more spots so Bosnia won't really have it any easier to get to WCs. If that is a players ambition. We can pretty much give up on NZ players as eg Ingham who is 17 may have the chance to play the 26,30 & 34 WCs, depending on his career. We can have the same lure for kids who are tempted to stronger European nations.

I still an issue about releasing players as it is non FIFA and talking managers at overseas clubs to release their players for such a tournament.

Obviously building links with ASEAN is also important. But we have to be weary to treat such a tournament with the respect it deserves and not make a mockery of it.

Although, we did have to rely on pens in Thailand when JMac was striker..,

Agreed. 

Although the Wiki is different to the sources.

Sources says two 5 teams groups, so at least 4 home games, the 2-legged semis and 2-legged final.

Ok.
Just looked it up
http://www.foxsportsasia.com/news/aff-suzuki-cup-format-change-2018/

Its 4 group games (2 h 2 a) 

It's very good practice for younger players in a proper tournament that isn't AFC/WC qualifiers. Valuable experience in playing in Asia in front of hostile crowds (now that teams get home games).

I personally think it should be an under 23s and any non playing euro players (id include asian but most asian based players play). 

I am sure that would be difficult. It would probably be difficult to get any player on a bench also (from Europe). I wouldnt be against a max 1 player from each A-League team.

         JMac
Nabbout Troisi XXX XXX Fitzgerald
Galloway McGowen Cornthwaite  Risdon
Vukovic

I had a hard time from WP. 

If it's non-FIFA sanctioned/not on FIFA dates, do the caps in this tournament lock in players? Or would it be like a cap in a friendly where they're still eligible for other nations?

They must be.

FIFA ranking points awarded to AFF Suzuki Cup for 2016 edition


ESPN FC's Jason Dasey and John Wilkinson assess Singapore's chances at the AFF Championship.
FIFA world ranking points will be offered for the first time at this month's AFF Suzuki Cup.

The 11th edition of the Southeast Asian tournament, which will kick off on Nov. 19, will escalate in prestige after being recognised by FIFA as a Category A-ranked tournament.

Other proposed changes will also see the AFF championship ditching its qualifiers, with the two groups in the tournament itself to be decided on home and away basis.

The regional showcase, to be co-hosted by Myanmar and Philippines, was previously considered a friendly competition by the world body, and only offered ranking points on the ASEAN stage.

But with crowd and TV viewing figures rapidly rising over the years, the biennial affair will finally be granted global status.

"We recently got declaration from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) that the AFF Cup now offers international ranking points," AFF General Secretary Datuk Seri Azzuddin Ahmad told ESPN FC.

"We had got our 11 member associations to make an appeal to the AFC. Through their backing and support, the AFF Cup has now risen in prestige.

"This tournament has been offering encouraging figures not only in this region, but throughout the world. It is our premier tournament, our gold bank to market comprehensively."

Dato' Sri Azzuddin Ahmad, AFF
AFF General Secretary Azzuddin says the Suzuki Cup is now more prestigious because of the FIFA ranking points.
In 2010, a record 192 million TV viewers tuned in to watch the tournament, which saw Malaysia clinch their maiden trophy after a 4-2 aggregate triumph over Indonesia, under the reign of Datuk K. Rajagobal.

That two-legged final saw an average of 15 million Indonesians viewers alone.

It was more than double the figures of the highest-rated 2010 FIFA World Cup match in the football-mad nation, which recently returned from a year-long international ban.

In the 2014 edition, almost five million Malaysians watched the event on Pay TV.

One of the reasons for the rise is due to AFF's commercial partnerships with international sports marketing agency, Lagardere Sports, and Japanese auto-company Suzuki, which came on board as official sponsor in 2008.

AFF is in discussions to continue with Lagadere for upcoming editions.

Once an agreement is reached, the plan is to eliminate the four-nation qualifiers, won last month by Cambodia.

"There will be only two groups, and teams will play each other home and away. The countries will be chosen based on their ranking points and by drawing lots. This move is more attractive for commercial value," said Azzuddin, adding the proposal should be finalised by December.

The former FAM general secretary and national player also promised big things from Myanmar and Philippines, who are making their AFF hosting debuts.

"Myanmar is a football crazy nation, so we are sure there will be an encouraging turnout for games. Philippines, meanwhile, are an improving nation with a few dual citizenship players," he said.

"Both countries have fulfilled the necessary requirements, based on our feedback, as early as late 2014. We have had three stages of inspection and infrastructure, and we are happy with the outcome."

The Philippines Sports Stadium and Rizal Memorial Stadium will host Group A, which consists of Philippines, defending champions Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore.

Matches in Group B, which pit together Myanmar, Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam, will be solely be played at the Thuwunna YTC Stadium in Yangon.

Defending champions Thailand have won four AFF titles, the same as 2012 winners, Singapore.

Nicolas Anil is a former Malay Mail and Goal.com Malaysia editor/writer who appears on BFM Radio as a football analyst. Twitter: @nicolas_anil.

http://www.espnfc.com/blog/football-asia/153/post/2991970/fifa-ranking-points-awarded-to-aff-suzuki-cup-for-2016-edition