MIXED VIEWS ON AFF C'SHIP

Several star players will be absent, some countries won't play at their main stadium

- Deepanraj Ganesan

The Tiger Cup, Suzuki Cup and now the Asean Mitsubishi Electric Cup. The Asean Championship has taken on different names since its inception in 1996, but what remains constant is its status as South-east Asia's premier football tournament.

But ahead of its 15th edition from Dec 8 to Jan 5, the championship's shine is fading for some.

Football consultant Richard Harcus, who is based in South-east Asia, noted that there are multiple reasons why the tournament is going downhill.

He said: "National teams don't put their best teams forward, or are restricted from doing so by the players' parent clubs.

"Then thereis the fact that teams are not playing in their own national stadiums (Indonesia and Vietnam) and some not even in their home country (Timor-Leste). This takes away from the spectacle."

The tournament does not fall during an official Fifa international window and hence clubs are not obliged to release their players. Given that the region's top clubs are already involved in domestic leagues and cups, as well as the Asian Champions League and Asean Club Championship, it comes as no surprise that some decide that players should sit out the tournament.

While Singapore and Vietnam have temporarily paused their domestic leagues for the championship, league competitions in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand will continue. This has resulted in weakened squads for the key contenders, as well as four-time champions Singapore.