HANOI, Vietnam: Football fans in South East-Asia just love their football. It's their favourite sport, and the action for them is not going to stop.
The Asean Hyundai Cup kicks off on July 24 with defending champions Vietnam launching its challenge for back-to-back regional titles.
With a stellar line-up of talent at Kim Sang-sik’s disposal as the South Korean coach leans on his trophy-winning stalwarts once again. The Golden Star Warriors won the 2024 title through the exploits of Nguyễn Xuân Son, Nguyễn Quang Hải and Nguyễn Đình Bắc, and the trio will again play central roles in Vietnam’s quest to retain the title.
Vietnam have won the coveted trophy on three occasions – having also claimed the title in 2008 and 2018 – but has never secured consecutive crowns in the tournament celebrating a milestone 30th anniversary this year. Inaugurated in 1996, the Asean Hyundai Cup is the jewel in the crown of South-East Asia's football.
Kim’s team will kick off their title defence against Timor-Leste in Chonburi on July 24 alongside Group A rivals Singapore, Cambodia and Indonesia.
Singapore coach Gavin Lee will look to the experience of 35-year-old captain Hariss Harun and striker Ilhan Fandi to launch their nation’s quest for a fifth title and their first since 2012.
Indonesia will hope to deliver a first-ever regional title after a record six runners-up finishes, with coach John Herdman selecting a squad featuring many of the players who went close to taking the nation to a first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance.
Rizky Ridho, Yance Sayuri, Thom Haye and Marc Klok all featured in the run to the fourth round of Asia’s preliminaries for the 2026 finals and the experience gained against the continent’s best will give Indonesia confidence.
Experienced Buriram United FC trio, Chatchai Bootprom, Pansa Hemviboon and Narubadin Weerawatnodom, have been included in Anthony Hudson’s squad as Thailand look to add a record-extending eighth title to the country’s honours list.
Yotsakorn Burapha, who shone for Thailand at the Asean U-23 Championship in Indonesia last year, brings vibrancy to the attack for a Thailand team that launches its Group B campaign against Laos in Vientiane on July 25.
Thailand will also face a Philippines side attempting to advance to the final for the first time and a Malaysian outfit looking to claim their country’s first title since their solitary win in 2010.
Laos and Myanmar also feature in Group B, with the Burmese competing under new management following the recent appointment of former Hong Kong and DPR Korea coach, Jørn Andersen.
Meanwhile, HELM Asia, part of the HELM Group, one of the world's largest independent chemicals companies, has been announced as an Official Supporter of the four ASEAN United FC events – the Hyundai Cup, Asean Club Championship Shopee Cup, Asean Women's MSIG Cup and Asean-23 Championship.
The agreement covers the Asean Football Federation's (AFF) four premier competitions and was sealed by SPORTFIVE, the AFF's exclusive commercial partner.
As an Official Supporter of the ASEAN United FC events, HELM will bring its ‘Power of Partnership’ philosophy to life by connecting it with Asean football’s unifying spirit, to bolster the long-term development of the game while strengthening the ecosystem of teams, players, fans and communities across Southeast Asia.
Founded in 1900 and headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, HELM’s involvement in football includes its sponsorship of Bundesliga club Hamburger SV (HSV) since 2022. As part of this partnership, HELM donates part of its logo sponsorship to Plan International, a children’s rights organization.
Major General Khiev Sameth, President, Asean Football Federation, said: "The ASEAN Football Federation is delighted to welcome HELM as an Official Supporter of our ASEAN United FC events. HELM's remarkable 125-year legacy of trust, spirit of innovation and commitment to creating a positive social impact reflect values that strongly resonate with the AFF and the ASEAN football community."
Learn more about the ASEAN United FC competitions at https://aseanutdfc.com/ and follow @aseanutdfc on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and X.
