Waiting for surprises at 2020 AFF Suzuki Cup semi-finals

Two pairs of the 2020 AFF Suzuki Cup semi-finals were decided. Indonesia will meet the hosts Singapore on December 22; Vietnam and Thailand will play the second match of the semi-finals on December 23.

Vietnamese players celebrating scoring goal against Cambodia (Source: VFF)

It is quite surprising that Singapore, who were not highly assessed in the group stage, are among the best four teams in this years’ AFF Cup. This is the first time in nine years Singapore passed the group stage to book a place in the semi-finals. It has been a long time since they won AFF Cup in 2012. In Group A, except for Thailand, who had been expected to certainly advance to the semi-final round, Myanmar and Philippines had been more highly assessed than Singapore. However, Singapore displayed confident performances as they could play at home ground. They defeated Mayanmar 3-0 in the first match of the tournament and then Philippines in the second match to top the group before being surpassed by Thailand.

The fact that Indonesia overcame defending champions Vietnam to lead Group B was also a surprise. Indonesia thrashed Malaysia 4-1, surpassing Vietnam to take the top spot. Under Coach Shin-Tae-yong of Indonesia used different strategies in the match with Vietnam and Malaysia. They played defensively and managed to hold Vietnam to a draw; after that, they played at their best to score as many goals as possible in the match with Malaysia.

The first leg semi-final match between Indonesia and Singapore, who are equal in level, is likely an exciting competition. The most awaited match in the semi-finals is the clash between defending champions Vietnam and Thailand, who have won AFF Cup five times. That will be the competition between Quang Hai of Vietnam and Chanathip Songkrasin of Thailand, the best players of three latest AFF Cup editions. That will also be the clash of the best striker Teerasil Dangda of Thailand against Vietnam’s defenders, who haven’t conceded any goal in four matches of the tournament.

An Nhien

Translated by H.N