SA isa pang pagkakataon, mangunguna ang Suzuki Motor Corporation bilang title sponsor sa programa ng Asean Football Federation, tampok ang 2018 AFF Championship.

Ito ang ikaanim na sunod na taon na nakibahagi ang Suzuki sa programa ng AFF – ang AFF Suzuki Cup – mula noong 2008.

Ang biennial tournament ay itinuturing pinakamalaki at prestihiyosong football tournament tampok ang mga National Team ng miyembrong bansa sa Southeast Asia.

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“We began our sponsorship as the title sponsor in 2008 with the passion to bring thrill and excitement to the ASEAN region,” pahayag ni Kinji Saito, Managing Officer ng Suzuki Motor Corporation.

“Since then, together with fans and championship staff, the AFF SUZUKI CUP has created sensational moments and unforgettable memories, which embody Suzuki’s corporate slogan “Way of Life!” The 2018 championship will mark the 10th year anniversary of our sponsorship, and with new changes to the tournament format, it will surely be as remarkable and exciting as ever, and will mark a new chapter in the history of the AFF SUZUKI CUP,” aniya.

Nooong 2016, naging host ang Myanmar at Philippines sa Group Stages sa unang pagkakataon.

“This year will be the 12th time we have staged the AFF Football Championship and we are truly grateful to Suzuki Motor Corporation for embracing the region’s top football tournament as the title sponsor once again,” sambit ni Lt Gen Dato’ Sri Azzuddin Ahmad (Ret.) Secretary General ng AFF.

“It is incredible how quickly time has flown since the inaugural tournament was staged in Singapore in 1996. Not only has the tournament grown from strength to strength, it has created opportunities to groom football talent in the region and is today the most important regional stage for local teams to take the next step up,” aniya.

Napapanahon din ang muling pakikipagtambalan ng Suzuki sa AFF na maglalarga ng pagbabago sa format na naglalayon na makapagbigay nang mas magandang exposure sa mga player at mas maaksiyon at kapana-panabik na mga laro.

Sa pagbubukas ng season, ang dalawang koponan na may pinakamababang rank sa ASEAN ay maglalaban sa Qualification Round at ang magwawagi ay makakasama ng top nine ranked teams sa Group Stage.

Hahatiin sa dalawang grupo na may tig-limang miyembro ang Group Stage kung saan bawat koponan ay lalaro ng tig-dalawang laro sa home game at dalawang laro sa abroad. Ang Semi-Finals at Finals format ay mananatiling home-and-away matches na lalaruin sa loob ng dalawang leg para masiguro ang mas malawak na exposure ng mga mga koponan sa home crowd.

“These are exciting times for the AFF Football Championship with Suzuki Motor Corporation extending its legacy as title sponsor and putting its weight behind an invigorated tournament,” pahayag ni Tom Smith, President, Football – Asia at Lagardère Sports.

“We deeply appreciate Suzuki’s unwavering support, and our team looks forward to delivering the most impactful event in the history of the competition.”

Iginiit ng Suzuki Philippines na isang malaking karangalan na maging host sa ginanap na Group Stage ng torneo may dalawang taon na ang nakalilipas.

“It was a great privilege and a humbling experience to be one of the hosts in the 2016 Suzuki Cup and witness first-hand how the region’s biggest tournament brings different people together and share a common experience. Indeed, it was a way of sharing to people what the Suzuki Way of Life is all about. We have only excitement for the 2018 Suzuki Cup,” ayon sa opisyal na mensahe ng Suzuki Philippines.