Southeast Asian newspapers comment on the FIFA ASEAN Cup tournament

(Dan Tri) - Not long after FIFA revealed the plan to organize a new tournament in Southeast Asia, the media in the region commented on the feasibility of this tournament.

Thailand's Siam Sport newspaper wrote: "To raise the level of Southeast Asian football, FIFA will organize a tournament for football teams in the region, modeled after the Arab Cup."

“FIFA President Gianni Infantino revealed that the tournament aims to develop football among the 11 ASEAN member countries, which is run by FIFA,” Thailand’s leading sports daily added.

The Vietnamese team is preparing to compete in a new tournament organized by FIFA in Southeast Asia (Photo: Nam Anh).

Siam Sport newspaper did not forget to quote the head of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Gianni Infantino: "The FIFA ASEAN Cup will certainly be a great success, promoting football in Southeast Asian countries, supporting the development of football."

“In addition, this tournament creates an opportunity for top Southeast Asian players to join their national teams, in a playground organized by FIFA,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

In addition, Siam Sport newspaper gave important information, which is of interest to many Southeast Asian football fans: “FIFA ASEAN Cup will be a different event compared to AFF Cup.

FIFA will further discuss with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Southeast Asian Football Federation (AFF) to discuss the timing and format of the FIFA ASEAN Cup in the near future.

Meanwhile, Malaysia's New Straits Times newspaper said: "The new version of the ASEAN Football Championship by FIFA will be the first step in the rise of regional football."

“The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) acting president, Datuk Yusoff Mahadi, said the announcement of this tournament is of great significance, especially for Malaysian football.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (left) proposed a new tournament plan in Southeast Asia, the FIFA ASEAN Cup (Photo: NST).

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the tournament aims to breathe new life into Southeast Asian football. At the same time, the tournament will have the presence of all 11 ASEAN member countries,” the New Straits Times revealed.

Currently, 11 teams have been determined to participate in the first FIFA ASEAN Cup, including Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Brunei and Timor Leste.

However, it is unclear whether the Australian team will participate in the FIFA ASEAN Cup or not? The Australian Football Federation is a member of the AFF, but they have not participated in previous AFF Cups, because the AFF Cup takes place outside the FIFA competition schedule, making it difficult for the kangaroo team to gather players.

In addition, many years ago, the level of the Australian team was completely superior to that of the teams in Southeast Asia.

However, things have changed now, Indonesia, after using a team of naturalized Dutch players, has significantly narrowed the gap in expertise with the Australian team. Other football teams in Southeast Asia, if not afraid to face an Indonesian team with many naturalized players, probably will not be afraid to face Australia either.

If the FIFA ASEAN Cup were run by FIFA and played according to the schedule set by FIFA, Australia would have an advantage in gathering players for the tournament, so competing with Southeast Asian teams would probably not be a problem. This is also something that fans in the region are interested in.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/bao-dong-nam-a-binh-luan-ve-giai-dau-fifa-asean-cup-20251028150148509.htm