ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NEW ASEAN CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

For a region brimming with age-old rivalries between geographical neighbours, it almost seems a given that a club competition would thrive in Southeast Asia.

Yet, for the last 20 years, that has failed to materialise for a variety of reasons.

But all that will change starting this week when the ASEAN Club Championship -- officially known as the Shopee Cup due to sponsorship reasons -- kicks off on Wednesday.

Wondering what there is to look forward to? Here is all you need to know.

Is this the first time such a tournament is being held?

Not exactly. The inaugural ASEAN Club Championship -- organised by the ASEAN Football Federation -- was held in 2003 as was originally planned as a biennial competition.

A second edition took place in 2005 before the tournament was indefinitely removed from the Southeast Asian football calendar.

Why was the tournament cancelled originally?

Several factors were in play but, primarily, this was a time when was still a lack of synergy in the schedules of the various domestic leagues -- as well as within the larger footballing ecosystem in Asia.

The Asian Football Confederation's club competitions remains the highest-level tournaments in the continent, and there were conflicting calendars.

This was also a time when several nations were revamping their own leagues and focus was on finding stable footing domestically, rather than commit to additional competition.

One example came in 2005 when Indonesia opted against sending representatives while developing nations such as Philippines and Laos also pulled out presumably due to financial reasons.

A failure to gain traction -- and a subsequent inability to attract a viable number of sponsors -- led to the tournament's demise.

Who has won the ASEAN Club Championship previously?

While the competition is meant to be contested by clubs from Southeast Asia, it was an invited team who were the inaugural champions as India's East Bengal claimed the title in 2003 on the back of an inspired nine-goal haul from national hero Baichung Bhutia.

Although they finished second in their group, East Bengal would account for Indonesian duo Persita Tangerang and the now-defunct Petrokimia Putra come the knockout round before exacting revenge on BEC Tero Sasana (now Police Tero) in a rematch in the final.

Two years later, Singapore's BG Tampines Rovers -- during one of the club's more successful eras -- claimed the crown after coming from behind to record a thrilling 4-2 win over Sri Pahang in the final.

Why is the ASEAN Club Championship returning -- and only now?

Plans for the return of an ASEAN club competition were mooted as early as 2012 but, originally, the concept was a breakaway tournament -- the ASEAN Super League -- that did not receive unanimous support in fear it would have a negative impact on domestic leagues that were already faring well.

But in 2019, after receiving endorsement from both the AFC and FIFA, it was announced that the ASEAN Club Championship would return in 2020.

Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic meant that tournament had to be put on hiatus before it was ultimately given the green light to go ahead this year.

What will the schedule be like?

As with continental club football, the ASEAN Club Championship will take place in midweek with weekends usually reserved for domestic games.

With many leagues in the region now shifting to an August-to-May season, the ASEAN Club Championship will likewise take place across two calendar years.

Two match days of the group stage will be played in 2024 before competition resumes next year.

Only the top two from each group advance to the semifinals, before play culminates in a two-legged final to be held next May.

Will every nation be represented?

Almost every Southeast Asian nation will compete in some shape or form although the current format saw four lower-ranked AFF member associations vie for one spot in the qualifying playoffs -- which saw Young Elephants (Laos) and Kasuka (Brunei Darussalam) eliminated.

Timor-Leste opted not to enter, as was the case with Australia -- who have been part of the AFF since 2013 after becoming a member of the AFC in 2006.

While the idea is each nation to be represented by their top teams, some clubs like Malaysia Super League giants Johor Darul Ta'zim, current Singapore Premier League champions Albirex Niigata (S) and Liga 1 runners-up Persija Jakarta either declined to participated or were ineligible.

The 2024-25 ASEAN Club Championship will thus feature PSM Makassar and Borneo Samarinda (Indonesia), Kuala Lumpur City and Terengganu (Malaysia), Buriram United and BG Pathum United (Thailand), Cong An Ha Noi and Dong A Thanh Hoa (Vietnam), Lion City Sailors (Singapore), Kaya FC-Iloilo (Philippines), Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng (Cambodia) and Shan United (Myanmar).

Can the tournament succeed where it previously failed?

Football in Southeast Asia has evolved drastically since 2005.

Domestic competitions are now stable, with some even thriving, and nations such as Thailand and Malaysia have also achieved impressive results on the bigger stage that is the AFC Champions League.

The constant buzz generated when the international ASEAN Championship comes around every two years also suggests that there is an appetite for further regional rivalries -- although only time will tell if this can be replicated at club level.

Most importantly is the fact that the ASEAN Club Championship has managed to fit seamlessly into the calendar, without clashing with either the domestic or AFC competitions.

For teams like Buriram, Lion City Sailors and Kaya who will be competing in the also newly-revamped AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Champions League Two, it will be intriguing to see how they juggle multiple competitions involving travel -- especially at a time when there is increased attention on the increasing workload of footballers.

If the new season of the ASEAN Club Championship proves it can be complementary -- and not conflicting -- subsequently gaining the buy-in of teams such as JDT will only help the long-term sustainability of the competition.

In any case, there is plenty of reason to be optimistic -- and be excited -- about the international club competition in Southeast Asia.

- Gabriel Tan

WHO ARE THE 12 TEAMS COMPETING IN THE NEW ASEAN CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

After a 20-year hiatus, the ASEAN Club Championship returns in 2024-25 -- with action kicking off on Wednesday.

12 teams from all over Southeast Asia will battle it out across two groups, with the top two in each advancing to the semifinals before the decider takes place across two legs next May.

Here, we take a look at each of the teams that will be competing in the tournament.

GROUP A

BG Pathum United

Previously known as Bangkok Glass, where they largely belonged to the upper echelon of Thai football without ever reaching the summit, the club underwent a transformation following a shock relegation at the end of 2019.

In their new guise as BG Pathum United, they would remarkably claim a maiden Thai League 1 crown in their first year back in the top flight and have since solidified their status as domestic powerhouses, while also making waves on the continental stage as they reached the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League in back-to-back editions between 2021 to 2023.

Qualifying for the ASEAN Club Championship after winning the Thai League Cup last season, BGPU boast some of Thailand's stellar names from the past decade - including talismanic playmaker Chanathip Songkrasin, prolific veteran striker Teerasil Dangda and the ever-improving Kritsada Kaman.

Dong A Thanh Hoa

Although not one of Vietnamese football's main heavyweights, Dong A Thanh Hoa have finished in the V.League 1's top three on four occasions since 2018.

It is in cup competitions where they have enjoyed more success after claiming the last two Vietnamese National Cups on offer.

While they did not provide any members of the most-recent Vietnam squad, they do have several handy contributors such as Le Van Thang, Nguyen Thai Son and Lam Ti Phong, while their foreign contigent boasts a distinct Brazilian flavour along with Jamaican forward Rimario Gordon -- who has scored goals for fun since beginning his professional career in the V.League 1 back in 2018.

Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng

Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng ensured Cambodia will be represented in the 2024-25 ASEAN Club Championship after beating Brunei Darussalam's Kasuka to book their place in Group A. SPORTFIVE

As one of two teams that had to progress through the qualifying playoffs, Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng might be regarded as underdogs but opponents should take them lightly at their own peril.

The most recent champions of the Cambodian Premier League, Svay Rieng can call upon a whole host of seasoned Cambodia internationals such as Thierry Chantha Bin, Soeuy Visal and Sareth Krya.

While it may have come against lesser opposition, Svay Rieng also displayed their attacking threat when they put eight goals past Young Elephants of Laos over two legs in the qualifiers.

PSM Makassar

No strangers to international competition, PSM Makassar can consider themselves as veterans of the now-defunct AFC Cup -- formerly the second tier of Asian club competition -- with four appearances since 2019, with their best display coming in 2022 when they made it to the ASEAN Zone final.

On the domestic front, PSM last won Liga 1 in 2022-23, which was what secured their qualification for the ASEAN Club Championship.

The Indonesian outfit have lost several prominent players since then, including Yakob Sayuri, Wiljan Pluim and Ramadhan Sananta but still have an experienced squad that should fuel them with optimism that they can go far in the tournament.

Shan United

The second qualifier from the playoffs, Myanmar's Shan United sealed their place in the group stage following a 4-2 victory over Bruneian side Kasuka.

Although the level of Burmese football has is no longer at its peak in the mid 2010s, Shan United have had regular exposure in the AFC Cup with four consecutive appearances starting from 2018, as well as at the last edition.

Considering they are likely to come under siege against more-illustrious opposition, the likes of goalkeeper Kyaw Zin Phyo and defender Ye Min Thu -- both seasoned Myanmar internationals -- could be pivotal to their prospects.

Terengganu

While Terengganu have never been champions of Malaysia, they do regularly find themselves thereabouts and have achieved runners-up finishes on four occasions -- as recently as in 2022.

With Johor Darul Ta'zim -- champions of both the Malaysia Cup and FA Cup last season -- declining to participate, Terengganu will be one of two teams flying the flag for their country by virtue of being runners-up in the former.

The Turtles have made a decent start to the current Malaysia Super League campaign and boast considerable firepower in Malaysia internationals Safawi Rasid and Akhyar Rashid, who are both currently on loan from JDT.

GROUP B

Borneo Samarinda

Borneo Samarinda suffered heartbreak last season when, after being the dominant force throughout the regular Liga 1 campaign, they would ultimately come up short after falling to a surprise semifinal defeat to Madura United in the championship series.

Borneo have undergone significant changes since then with last season's top scorer Felipe Cadenazzi among the departures, but names such as Stefano Lilipaly, Terens Puhiri and Ikhsan Zirkak should still see them pose a threat.

The ASEAN Club Championship marks Borneo's first foray in international competition, having never qualified for any AFC tournaments previously.

Buriram United

The dominant force in Thai football for the past three seasons, Buriram United can lay claim to being one of Southeast Asia's most successful clubs.

Along with their ten domestic league crowns, the Thunder Castle have twice in their history reached the knockout round of the AFC Champions League and came close to doing so again last term -- proving their ability to match it with the continent's leading teams.

Despite some of their brightest stars leaving for greener pastures in recent times, Buriram will still be led by Thailand forward Supachai Jaided -- who has been the top scorer in the past two Thai League 1 campaigns with a combined 40 goals.

Cong An Ha Noi

In their first season back in the top flight, Cong An Ha Noi would make a stunning rise to become champions of V.League 1 in 2023.

Affiliated with the Hanoi police department, CAHN wasted no time in luring some of the nation's biggest names to Hang Day Stadium -- with their biggest capture coming in the form of Vietnam star Nguyen Quang Hai following a stint in Ligue 2 with Pau.

While their main priority in 2024-25 will be to regain the title they lost to Thep Xanh Nam Dinh last term, the ASEAN Club Championship also offers a legitimate chance for them to claim more silverware and enhance their burgeoning reputation.

Kaya FC-Iloilo

Now three-time champions of the Philippines Football League, Kaya FC-Iloilo have established themselves as their country's powerhouses after years of Ceres-Negros (now United City) dominance.

Kaya have experienced crucial exposure in the AFC Champions League over the past few seasons and, while they have been on the receiving end of some heavy defeats, there have also been some valiant displays against far more formidable opposition.

Experienced Philippines stalwarts Jovin Bedic and Simone Rota continue to make up the backbone of the team but recent additions such as Patrick Deyto, Kaishu Yamazaki and Shuto Komaki have added an extra dimension of stability and dynamism.

Kuala Lumpur City

Just two years ago, Kuala Lumpur City shone on the continental stage as they embarked on an inspired run all the way to the AFC Cup final before ultimately falling to Oman's Al Seeb.

In the Malaysia Super League era, the City Boys have never finished higher than 6th but have proven to be rather adept in cup competitions -- especially when they pulled off an upset over JDT to win the Malaysia Cup final in 2021.

Players such as Paulo Josue, Brendan Gan, Patrick Reichelt and Nicholas Swirad illustrate the quality KL City still boast, although they have lost star forward Romel Morales to JDT.

Lion City Sailors

With Albirex Niigata (S) originally ineligible to represent Singapore in international competition, it will be Lion City Sailors who get the opportunity to feature in the relaunched ASEAN Club Championship.

In their relatively short history since being founded on the back of a takeover of the now-defunct Home United, the Sailors have achieved plenty -- winning the Singapore Premier League in 2021 while also pulling off noteworthy victories in the AFC Champions League over teams such as Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Daegu.

Littered with quality all over the park, especially in attack in the form of the irrepressible Maxime Lestienne, LCS should be relishing the opportunity to show that Singapore football is on par with the rest of the region's leading lights.

- Gabriel Tan

MALAYSIA SUPER LEAGUE RETURNS UNDER A CLOUD IN WAKE OF PLAYER ATTACKS

Ahead of their 2024-25 Malaysia Super League opener against Perak on Saturday, Terengganu showed their support for Akhyar Rashid and Faisal Abdul Halim -- who were both subject to violent attacks recently. Terengganu FC

 With the Malaysia Super League, previously usually starting between January and March, transitioning to a campaign that crosses two calendar years -- akin to Europe's major competitions this term -- a later-than-usual start should have brought plenty of excitement and cheer as the 2024-25 season got underway this past weekend.

Instead, the return of the MSL was overshadowed by the repercussions of recent violence targeted at several prominent players.

In the past week or so, Malaysian football has been rocked by three separate incidents, which started when Akhyar Rashid -- currently on loan at Terengganu from Johor Darul Ta'zim -- was injured in a robbery outside his home.

It was followed by a horrific attack on fellow Malaysia international Faisal Abdul Halim, who was splashed with acid at a shopping mall two Sundays ago and initially in a critical condition.

Faisal was reported to have suffered fourth-degree burns which impeded his speech and mobility, although he is said to have responded well to a third surgery last Thursday -- a three-hour skin allograft procedure - and is walking again.

A third incident saw two men on a motorcycle approach the car of JDT veteran Safiq Rahim and smash its rear windscreen, although the former Harimau Malaya captain was unharmed.

Terengganu police stated that these attacks were unrelated but -- in a country where prominent sportspeople are usually adored rather than the subject of violence -- the resultant concern was enough for Selangor -- Faisal's club -- to withdraw from last Friday's Charity Cup match with JDT, which also doubles up as a league fixture, out of fears for the team's safety.

Although interstate rivalry is fierce in Malaysian football, and can sometimes result in extreme situations, there have not been any major incidents in recent times and JDT subsequently expressed disappointment over Selangor's decision, having given assurances over safety -- with police presence said to have been tripled for the tie.

It meant that the MSL season began sans its traditional curtain raiser but, also, with two of the country's biggest teams in action in anticlimactic fashion.

With JDT having won the past ten MSL titles, the big question on the field was always if this is the year any of the chasing pack can challenge them -- with Selangor among the usual suspects.

Now, without even kicking a ball, the Southern Tigers already have their first three points in the bag having been awarded a 3-0 win with the tie considered a "walkover".

In the absence of the duo, it was Terengganu who made the brightest start as they beat Perak 3-1, while Kedah Darul Aman and Sri Pahang were also 1-0 victors over PDRM and Kelantan Darul Naim respectively on Saturday.

Sunday's action saw Kuala Lumpur City draw 1-1 with Kuching City, while Sabah and Penang also shared the spoils in a goalless stalemate.

It remains to be seen what the immediate future holds for Selangor with no statement yet on their next match -- although that will be a home game against Kedah on May 18.

And while, even among fans, there were differing views over Selangor's decision to opt out of their campaign opener, it is their prerogative to decide what they deem best for all involved at their club -- even more so given all that has happened.

There is never any place for violence. And perhaps it was indeed a matter of coincidence that these three incidents in a short span of time all happened to prominent footballers.

Still, at what is usually an exciting time in the Malaysian football calendar, the start of a new MSL season certainly began under a cloud.

- Gabriel Tan