To read the Thai media you would believe that the nation has a divine right to glory in the ASEAN
region. All they have to do is to walk on the pitch and the other team should be quaking in in
their pink and yellow boots yelling peace, peace.
Unfortunately for them folks the world ain't that simple.
It could be argued that Persipura missed out on last season's Indonesia Super League because
their near impregnable home stadium of Mandala Stadium in Jayapura was undergoing renovations so
that it would meet Asian Football Confederation criteria for hosting Asian club football.
Their opening home games were played in Makassar, vital points were dropped and they missed out
on a second consecutive title.
Once again we will see a number of teams from the region competing in both the AFC Champions
League and the AFC Cup.
Indonesia – Arema (ACL), Sriwijaya (ACL Play Off), Persipura (AFC)
Thailand – Muang Thong United (ACL Play Off), Chonburi (AFC)
Singapore – Tampines Rovers (AFC)
Vietnam – Ha Noi (AFC), Song Lam Nghe An
Nobody from Malaysia!
Indonesia Cup, Charity Shield and Inter Island Cup Winners Sriwijaya are looking to boost their
firs power ahead of next year's AFC Cup. On the radar are Persibo duo Samsul Arif and Rudi Rudi
Widodo
