Singapore to host AFF Suzuki Cup 2020

Singapore will host the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020, the Football Association of Singapore announced on Tuesday (Sep 28). 

This will be the fifth time Singapore will host the group stages of the tournament, which runs from Dec 5, 2021 to Jan 1, 2022. Unlike previous tournaments, all matches in the tournament will be played in one country to prevent travel during the pandemic. 

The 13th edition of the biennial competition was scheduled for last year but was postponed because of COVID-19.

The Lions will face five-time champions Thailand, 2018 semi-finalists Philippines, Myanmar and either Brunei or Timor Leste in Group A. In the last edition of the tournament, Singapore were eliminated in the group stages, after finishing behind Philippines and Thailand. 

While Singapore has lifted the Suzuki Cup four times and are the second most successful team in the competition behind Thailand, its last triumph came in 2012. 

Singapore is one of the safest countries in Southeast Asia, with one of the lowest total COVID-19 cases to date and, at 80.1 per cent, has the highest vaccination rates.  

Currently, up to 1,000 fully vaccinated spectators are allowed to attend Singapore Premier League matches.