PFF okayed to host Suzuki Cup final

MANILA, Philippines - After hosting a historic Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup semifinal match in 2012, the Philippines will hold one of the final group stages of Southeast Asia’s premier football tourney in 2016.

The AFF, during its regular Council meeting in Myanmar, gave its nod to the bid of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) to host one of the group stages.  SEAG host Myanmar will stage the other group play.

“We have been awarded the hosting rights for the 2016 Suzuki Cup,” said PFF general secretary Ed Gastanes, who attended the meeting along with PFF president Nonong Araneta. “We will be hosting the Suzuki Cup together with Myanmar.”

The biennial Suzuki Cup plays its final round (group stages) in two countries, featuring four nations each. The semifinal and the championship rounds then follow the home-and-away format.

Reigning champions Singapore and former titlist Vietnam have been tasked to host the two final rounds in the next Suzuki Cup in 2014.

The Asean tilt carries a big sentimental value to the Azkals as it served as the jumping point in their surge in popularity. In 2010, underdog Phl reached the semis for the first time against Indonesia, a feat they duplicated last year.

After yielding homefield advantage in the 2010 semis due to lack of stadium, the Azkals finally had their first semis home game two years later at Rizal Memorial, battling Singapore to a scoreless draw in the first leg. Singapore eventually won the semis duel on aggregate, 1-0, and went on to capture the title.

For the 2016 hosting, the PFF is looking at Rizal, which is undergoing renovation and installation of artificial turf, and the soon-to-be-completed Philippine Arena in Bulacan.