After a hiatus of two decades, Southeast Asia's leading football clubs are gearing up to compete in the highly anticipated ASEAN Club Championship, set to kick off on Aug. 21. The tournament, which originally debuted in 2003, is making a comeback after being cancelled following its second edition due to various challenges.
The ASEAN Football Federation first proposed a restart of the championship in 2019, and despite initial setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the event is finally set to return this year. The competition will run until mid-2025, culminating in a two-legged final on May 14 and 21.
One of the frontrunners heading into the tournament is Buriram United, the Thai League 1 champions for the past three seasons. The team has bolstered its squad significantly during the offseason, with the notable addition of Philippines captain Neil Etheridge, a seasoned goalkeeper with a rich history in European football.
Etheridge, who recently joined Buriram United after a successful stint with Birmingham City, expressed his excitement about participating in the ASEAN Club Championship. He highlighted the professionalism and competitiveness of the tournament, emphasizing the value it adds to the team's schedule and the opportunity for regional rivalry.
Buriram United, drawn in Group B, will commence their campaign by facing Cong An Ha Noi of Vietnam. The group stage will also see them compete against teams from Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore, promising intense matchups and fierce competition.
Group A features another Thai representative, BG Pathum United, along with teams from Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar. The tournament is expected to showcase the best of ASEAN football, with teams vying for supremacy and regional bragging rights.
With the ASEAN Club Championship on the horizon, football fans across Southeast Asia are eagerly anticipating the return of top-tier club competition and the thrilling clashes that lie ahead.
