AUSTRALIA could be part of the AFF Cup as the Asean Football Federation (AFF) is now exploring the suggestion, mooted by several affiliates, to have the Oceania giants in the tournament.
AFF secretary general Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad said the suggestion to have Australia play in the AFF Cup was initially mooted by FAM president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
“There is a distant possibility. Australia became an AFF member last year and they have so far played in two competitions in this region,” said Azzuddin after the AFF Futsal Championship team managers’ meeting in Shah Alam yesterday.
The AFF Futsal Championship, which starts today at Malawati Stadium in Shah Alam, will see 10 teams vying for the title.
Malaysia are in Group A with Australia, Indonesia, Brunei and Timor Leste while nine-time champions Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos and the Philippines make up Group B.
Today — Group A: Brunei v Timor Leste (9am), Malaysia v Indonesia (5.30pm); Group B: Myanmar v Vietnam (11.30am), Laos v Philippines (3pm). By Ajitpal Singh