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| The Azkals are back in April. Jan Dayrit (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA – The ASEAN Football Federation announced that its prized tournament, the AFF Suzuki Cup, will take place early in the second quarter of 2021.
In particular, the AFF said on Friday that it will run from April 11 to May 8.
“The AFF hopes that the announcement of the 2021 tournament dates will provide some clarity in planning for our business partners, including sponsors and the media, at a time of uncertainty,” said AFF President Khiev Sameth , it’s a statement.
The AFF Suzuki Cup was initially scheduled for late 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the event to be rescheduled.
The AFF insisted on running the tournament in its current round-trip format rather than its old format of the participating teams converging on one area for the group stage, thus moving the cup into next year.
The old format of the AFF Suzuki Cup group stage has become a pattern of the bubbles that many tournaments are holding only to have them continue amid the pandemic.
“While we are aware that the fight against the global pandemic is not over, we are cautiously optimistic that the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 will be held in its full format, as we hope to deliver the best of ASEAN at the tournament next year.” . Sameth further said.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno_
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