AFF Suzuki Cup Nightmares

Vietnam - 2004

Vietnam played some good games before AFF Cup in 2004, known bac then as the "Tiger Cup." They started the tournament with some positive results against Cambodia and Singapore. All the fans hope the team would beat Indonesia in the third match, but a shocking 0-3 defeat meant that the side were eliminated from group stage. It is one of most shameful losses for Vietnam in AFF Cup history. After that match, VFF decided to sack coach Edson Tavares and the goalkeeping coach was in charge in the final game of the group stage.

With the high morale after a successful campaign in AFC U23 Championship and 2018 Asian Games, the team now in very positive mood. If the team remains in high spirits but avoids underestimating their opponents, the nightmare will likely not repeat this year.

Tran Tien

Indonesia - 2010

Indonesia started the tournament very well, beating Malaysia 5-1, Laos 6-0, and Thailand 2-1 - a result which eliminated the War Elephants from the tournament. In the semifinal, Indonesia won 1-0 against Philippines on both legs, and facing Malaysia in the final was considered as easy match due to Tim Garuda's prior victory. But the final score was very surprising. Indonesia lost 0-3 at Bukit Jalil, giving hem a mountain to climb in the second leg. Although the mass media here gave support, referencing how Liverpool beat AC Milan from 3 goals down in the UEFA Champions League Final in 2005, but the motivation didn't help. Indonesia only won 2-1 at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, and once again finished only as the runner-up.

Once again Indonesia enter the tournament with a new naturalised striker in the team. After Cristian Gonzales in 2010, now Beto Goncalves is most likely be the main striker. The problem outside the pitch also still the same, as the Indonesian League hasn't finished yet when the tournament begins. Plus, coach Bima Sakti's lack of big tournament experience means it is very doubtful that the side can win the competition this year.

Aditya Jaya Iswara

Malaysia - 2014

The first match saw Malaysia fail to beat Myanmar in a 0-0 draw. In the match leg, Malaysia is scheduled to meet Thailand, where they were defeated due a last minute strike from Adisak Kraisorn which saw the side lose 3-2. In the third match, Malaysia managed to beat Singapore at National Stadium in Kallang, by a scoreline of 1-3. Malaysia managed to break the nightmare at the group stage as the win over Singapore took them into the semi-final. However, the poor performances followed Malaysia into the knockout stages as they lost in the first match against Vietnam. Once again they staved off their exit as they won in the second leg, finishing 5-4 on aggregate. Malaysia was into the final, together with Thailand. In the first leg, Malaysia met Thailand at Rajamangala Stadium, where they suffered a 2-0 loss. The side were unable to overturn the deficit back at the Bukit Jalil national stadium, and Thailand managed to win the AFF Suzuki 2014 Championship with an aggregate 5-4 scoreline.

Aiman Nazirmuddin

Thailand - 2010

Thailand headed into the 2010 campaign with Manchester United legend Bryan Robson at the helm. However, poor domestic fixture arrangement meant that there were only 3 days of preparation time. But, with key players from a 2008 that finished as runners-up, fans were praying Thailand could at least edge their way out of the group. Unfortunately, the lack of squad cohesion was too great, and individual quality could not cover it up. Thailand kicked off the tournament with a 2-2 draw against minnows Laos, thanks to Sarayoot Chaikamdee's 90th-minute equalizer. The sluggish performance, dull football and unacceptable result sent the country into meltdown. A 0-0 draw against Malaysia with another unimaginative display meant Thailand needed to beat the host Indonesia to qualify. Right-back Suree Sukha netted a wonderful volley to take the lead but tactically the War Elephants were all over the place. Defender Panupong Wongsa was sent off after conceding two penalties, which Bambang Pamungkas converted with ease, allowing Indonesia to bounce back to victory. This failure to qualify from the AFF Suzuki Cup group stage is now remembered as the dark times of Thai football.

Thai football has come a long way in the last eight years. Since then we've finished runners-up once and champions twice, playing a distinctive style of football. Under the new FA hierarchy, the management has improved greatly both in terms of quality and consistency. It's very unlikely Thailand will get knocked out of the group stage this year.

Obb Deewajin