Vietnam to face strong Thailand at AFF Cup

Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam will meet Thailand and Malaysia in Group B at the Asian Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2008 later this year, said the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) on August 28.

This will give Vietnam a greater chance to advance into the finals once it
surpasses the group round because the team will not have to face
Thailand - the region's strongest rival - in the semi-finals, experts
said.

According to VFF, the Vietnamese squad will play at two friendly tourneys in
Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to warm up for the AFF Suzuki Cup 2008.

The first team among Cambodia , Laos , the Philippines and Timor Leste
which will be selected through the qualifying round to be held in Cambodia
from Oct. 17-25 will participate in Group B.

The runner-up at the qualifying round will compete in Group A that includes
the defending champion Singapore, Indonesia and Myanmar.

Group matches will take place in Thailand and Indonesia from Dec.
5-10, while the first leg of the semi-finals will play on Dec. 16-17 and the
second leg, on Dec. 20-21.

The first leg of the finals is slated for Dec. 24 and the return match, five
days later.

The champion will receive a 100,000 USD bonus, while the runner-up will
pocket 50,000 USD and the third-placed team, 15,000 USD.-Enditem