MANILA – Due to the persistence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) has announced the postponement of this year’s Suzuki Cup to next year still in Vietnam.
AFF president Major-General Khiev Sameth said on Thursday evening that the postponement was to safeguard the well-being of everyone involved in the tournament in view of the rapidly deteriorating COVID-19 situation.
“With the risk of the spread of COVID-19 remaining high, the AFF finds itself in a situation where we cannot proceed safely with the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020,” Sameth said in a statement.
“While these are unprecedented times for the whole world including our football family and communities, we are confident that we will get through it together,” the AFF official added.
Philippine Azkals head coach Scott Cooper, meanwhile, welcomed the postponement of the competition as it will give more time for the national men’s football team to process some of the players it needs going forward.
“We welcome the AFF Suzuki Cup postponement as Southeast Asia continues to deal with COVID-19 crisis,” Cooper said. “We have to make the most out of this time on and off the field.”
Meanwhile, the competition in the 2020 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup will go on this September with Vietnam hosting the Group F and G matches.
Group G of the competition includes Philippine-based team United City Football Club (formerly Ceres-Negros FC) with their matches to be held at the Cam Pha Stadium in Quang Ninh./PN
