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2004 AFF Championship
2004 AFF Championship
2004 AFF Championship
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2004 AFF Championship
Giải vô địch bóng đá Đông Nam Á 2004
2004 Kejohanan Bola Sepak ASEAN
Tournament details
Host countryVietnam
Malaysia
(for group stage)
Dates7 December 2004 – 16 January 2005
Teams10
Venue5 (in 4 host cities)
Final positions
Champions Singapore (2nd title)
Runners-up Indonesia
Third place Malaysia
Fourth place Myanmar
Tournament statistics
Matches played27
Goals scored113 (4.19 per match)
Top scorer(s)Indonesia Ilham Jaya Kesuma
(7 goals)
Best playerSingapore Lionel Lewis
← 2002
2007 →

The 2004 AFF Championship (officially known as the 2004 Tiger Cup for sponsorship reasons) was the 5th edition of the AFF Championship, the football championship of nations affiliated to the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), and the last time under the name Tiger Cup. This was the first time a new format had been applied, in which the format was still in use until now. The group stage was jointly hosted by Vietnam and Malaysia from 7 to 16 December 2004, and the top two teams from each group advanced to the Semi-finals and the Final, which was played in a two-leg home-and-away format from 28 December 2004 to 16 January 2005. This was also the final AFF Cup to feature a third-place match, as it was removed in the 2007 edition.

Thailand were the two-time defending champions, but were eliminated in Group stage. Singapore won the tournament by a 5–2 victory in the two-legged final against Indonesia to secure their second title.

Summary

[edit]

In the group matches, Indonesia, coached by former Thailand coach Peter Withe, emerged as the Group A winners with ten points, 17 goals scored and none conceded. They were the hot favourites to win the 2004 AFF Championship after bundling out the hosts Vietnam with an unexpected 3–0 victory. Less than a day after the match had ended, the Vietnam Football Federation requested the resignation from its national coach Edson Tavares, despite his requests to stay on until the last match. Singapore, led by Radojko Avramović pipped out the hosts by just a single point and remained unbeaten to become the only team in the championship to not lose a single match.

Following the tournament motto "Anything can happen", Myanmar, under coach Ivan Kolev emerged as the surprise, holding defending champions Thailand to a draw and beating Malaysia on their own turf.

Teams

[edit]

All teams from member associations of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) participated with the exception of Brunei. However, they would be replaced by East Timor when sponsors Tiger Beer stated in May 2004 that the world's newest country at the time would be joining the competition.[1] This kept the tournament at 10 teams.

Squads

[edit]
Main article: 2004 AFF Championship squads

Venues

[edit]
Vietnam Hanoi Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam Hai Phong Indonesia Jakarta
Mỹ Đình National Stadium Thống Nhất Stadium Lạch Tray Stadium Gelora Bung Karno Stadium
Capacity: 40,192 Capacity: 15,000 Capacity: 32,000 Capacity: 110,000
Singapore Singapore Malaysia Kuala Lumpur
National Stadium Jalan Besar Stadium Bukit Jalil National Stadium KLFA Stadium
Capacity: 55,000 Capacity: 6,000 Capacity: 100,000 Capacity: 18,000

Tournament

[edit]

Group stage

[edit]

Group A

[edit]
  • All times are Indochina Time (ICT) – UTC+7
  • All matches played in Vietnam
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
 Indonesia 4 3 1 0 17 0 +17 10 Advance to knockout stage
 Singapore 4 2 2 0 10 3 +7 8
 Vietnam 4 2 1 1 13 5 +8 7
 Laos 4 1 0 3 4 16 −12 3
 Cambodia 4 0 0 4 2 22 −20 0
Laos 0–6 Indonesia
Boaz 25'
Ilham 28', 33'
Kanyavong 52' (o.g.)
Elie 60'
Kurniawan 86'
Vietnam 1–1 Singapore
Thạch Bảo Khanh 51' Indra 70'
Referee: Sun Baojie (China)
Vietnam 9–1 Cambodia
Thạch Bảo Khanh 9', 23'
Lê Công Vinh 57', 87', 89'
Sampratna 63' (o.g.)
Đặng Văn Thành 71', 83'
Nguyễn Huy Hoàng 77'		 Sokunthea 44'
Indonesia 0–0 Singapore
Laos 2–1 Cambodia
Luang-Amath 63', 73' Darith 27'
Vietnam 0–3 Indonesia
Mauly 18'
Boaz 21'
Ilham 45'
Singapore 6–2 Laos
Hasrin 7'
Indra 19', 74'
Thongphachan 39' (o.g.)
Casmir 45', 90+2' (pen.)		 Phaphouvanin 22'
Luang-Amath 72' (pen.)
Indonesia 8–0 Cambodia
Ilham 5', 48', 56'
Elie 30', 55'
Kurniawan 74', 76'
Ortizan 90'
Referee: Sun Baojie (China)
Vietnam 3–0 Laos
Lê Công Vinh 10'
Nguyễn Minh Phương 42'
Thạch Bảo Khanh 75'
Cambodia 0–3 Singapore
Dickson 20'
Baihakki 26'
Khairul 54'

Group B

[edit]
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
 Myanmar 4 3 1 0 6 2 +4 10 Advance to knockout stage
 Malaysia 4 3 0 1 11 3 +8 9
 Thailand 4 2 1 1 13 4 +9 7
 Philippines 4 1 0 3 4 9 −5 3
 Timor-Leste 4 0 0 4 2 18 −16 0
Philippines 0–1 Myanmar
S. D. Thein 90+2'
Referee: Vo Minh Tri (Vietnam)
Malaysia 5–0 Timor-Leste
Liew 27'
Amri 47', 83'
Fadzli 67'
Shukor 85'
Thailand 1–1 Myanmar
T. Chaiman 14' Z. L. Tun 89'
Referee: Masoud Moradi (Iran)
Malaysia 4–1 Philippines
Liew 17'
Khalid 67', 77' (pen.)
Kaironnisam 74'		 Gould 90+3'
Timor-Leste 0–8 Thailand
B. Yodyingyong 17'
S. Domtaisong 41'
W. Jitkuntod 53'
T. Chaiman 59'
S. Chaikamdee 63', 65', 67'
Y. Kornjan 84'
Referee: Vo Minh Tri (Vietnam)
Malaysia 0–1 Myanmar
S. M. Min 20'
Philippines 2–1 Timor-Leste
Caligdong 90+1', 90+3' Januário 59'
Malaysia 2–1 Thailand
Khalid 63', 65' S. Chaikamdee 45'
Referee: Masoud Moradi (Iran)
Myanmar 3–1 Timor-Leste
S. M. Min 4' (pen.)
S. D. Thein 43'
M. H. Win 51'		 S. Diamantino 15' (pen.)
Thailand 3–1 Philippines
I. Poolsap 42'
S. Sainui 56'
S. Domtaisong 89'		 Caligdong 27'

Knockout stage

[edit]
Semi-finals Finals
          
A1  Indonesia 1 4 5
B2  Malaysia 2 1 3
A1  Indonesia 1 1 2
A2  Singapore 3 2 5
B1  Myanmar 3 2 5
A2  Singapore (a.e.t.) 4 4 8 Third place play-off
B2  Malaysia 2
B1  Myanmar 1

Semi-finals

[edit]
First Leg
Indonesia 1–2 Malaysia
Kurniawan 6' Liew 28', 47'
Myanmar 3–4 Singapore
S. M. Min 34', 90'
M. Thu 36'		 Bennett 20'
Casmir 38'
Alam Shah 63'
Shahril 81'
Second Leg
Singapore 4–2 (a.e.t.) Myanmar
Alam Shah 74', 94', 96'
Casmir 108'		 S. M. Min 15'
A. K. Moe 50'
Referee: Toru Kamikawa (Japan)

Singapore win 8–5 on aggregate

Malaysia 1–4 Indonesia
Khalid 28' Kurniawan 59'
Charis 74'
Ilham 77'
Boaz 84'

Indonesia win 5–3 on aggregate

Third place play-off

[edit]
Malaysia 2–1 Myanmar
Khalid 15'
Ismail 56'		 S. M. Min 52'
Referee: Vo Minh Tri (Vietnam)

Final

[edit]
First Leg
Indonesia 1–3 Singapore
Mahyadi 90' Bennett 3'
Khairul 39'
Casmir 69'
Second Leg
Singapore 2–1 Indonesia
Indra 6'
Casmir 41' (pen.)		 Elie 77'

Singapore win 5–2 on aggregate

View of the Singapore National Stadium just before the commencement of the 2004 AFF Championship finals match.

Awards

[edit]
 2004 AFF Championship 

Singapore
Second title
Most Valuable Player Golden Boot
Singapore Lionel Lewis Indonesia Ilham Jaya Kesuma

Goal scorers

[edit]
7 goals
6 goals
5 goals
4 goals
3 goals
2 goals
1 goal
Own goal

Team statistics

[edit]

This table will show the ranking of teams throughout the tournament.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD
Finals
1  Singapore 8 6 2 0 23 10 +13
2  Indonesia 8 4 1 3 24 8 +16
Semifinals
3  Malaysia 7 5 0 2 16 9 +7
4  Myanmar 7 3 1 3 12 12 0
Eliminated in the group stage
5  Thailand 4 2 1 1 13 4 +9
6  Vietnam 4 2 1 1 13 5 +8
7  Philippines 4 1 0 3 4 9 −5
8  Laos 4 1 0 3 4 16 −12
9  Timor-Leste 4 0 0 4 2 18 −16
10  Cambodia 4 0 0 4 2 22 −20

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

2004 AFF Championship

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The 2004 AFF Championship, officially known as the Tiger Cup 2004 due to sponsorship by , was the fifth edition of the men's competition organized by the (AFF), featuring the national teams of . The tournament ran from 7 December 2004 to 16 January 2005, with the knockout stages delayed following the 2004 earthquake and ; it marked the first time the knockout stages adopted a home-and-away format, while the group stage was split between co-hosts (Group A in and ) and (Group B in ). Ten teams participated, divided into two groups of five, with the top two from each group advancing to the two-legged semifinals; emerged as champions, defeating 5–2 on aggregate in the final to claim their second AFF title. In the group stage, dominated with a perfect defensive record, scoring 17 goals without conceding in four matches to top the group ahead of and hosts , who also produced high-scoring wins such as a 9–1 victory over . saw lead with 10 points, followed closely by and , highlighted by 's 8–0 thrashing of debutants Timor-Leste and 's 5–0 win over the same opponent. The semifinals were intense affairs: overcame 8–5 on aggregate, including a dramatic 4–3 first-leg win and a 4–2 extra-time victory in the return leg, while reversed a 1–2 first-leg deficit against with a 4–1 away win to advance 5–3 overall. The final showcased Singapore's attacking prowess, as they won the first leg 3–1 in before securing a 2–1 victory at the National Stadium in , thanks to goals from Indra Sahdan Daud and , clinching the title amid a packed crowd that revived national pride in the sport. secured third place with a 2–1 win over in the playoff. The tournament was noted for its goal-heavy group phase, with 82 goals across the initial rounds, and introduced Timor-Leste as a debutant, with the returning after their 2002 participation, expanding the competition's regional inclusivity.

Background

Tournament Overview

The 2004 AFF Championship, officially known as the Tiger Cup 2004 for sponsorship reasons, was the fifth edition of the premier men's football competition organized by the (AFF). Held from December 7, 2004, to January 16, 2005, the tournament was co-hosted by , which managed Group A matches, and , responsible for Group B. Ten nations affiliated with the AFF participated, marking a continuation of the regional showcase for Southeast Asian football talent. This edition introduced a new format for the knockout stages, featuring two-legged ties for the semi-finals and final to add competitiveness and . The tournament structure consisted of two groups of five teams each in a round-robin group stage, with the top two from each advancing to the knockouts. A total of 20 matches were played in the group stage, producing 79 goals at an average of 3.95 per match, highlighting the attacking nature of the competition. Additional knockout rounds, including semi-finals and the final, extended the event into 2005. Defending champions , who had won the previous two editions in and , were eliminated during the group stage, ending their bid for a third consecutive title. Singapore emerged as champions, securing their second AFF title by defeating 5–2 on aggregate in the two-legged final. The victory underscored Singapore's resurgence in regional football, following their inaugural win in 1998. The tournament's expanded format and high-scoring games contributed to increased fan engagement across the host nations.

Historical Context

The (AFF) Championship, originally launched as the Tiger Cup in , marked the inception of the premier biennial international football tournament for national teams across , organized to elevate the sport's profile and foster regional competition. Sponsored by Breweries, the inaugural edition was hosted by and featured eight participating nations, with claiming the title by defeating 4-2 on aggregate in the final. Subsequent editions built on this foundation, solidifying the tournament's status. In 1998, hosted the competition, where secured their first championship with a 1-0 victory over the hosts in the final second leg. The 2000 edition returned to , who defended their crown by overcoming 4-1 on penalties after a 2-2 aggregate draw. By 2002, co-hosted by and , extended their dominance, winning 5-2 on aggregate against to claim a third title overall. Entering the 2004 , arrived as two-time defending champions, having triumphed in the previous two cycles. The AFF Championship held significant regional importance by promoting football development amid the growing influence of the , which aimed to unify and professionalize the sport across member states. It served as a key platform for talent identification, infrastructure investment, and competitive benchmarking in , where football enthusiasm surged post-1990s economic challenges. The tournament also underscored unity, bringing together diverse nations for shared sporting goals and cultural exchange. A notable development leading into was the replacement of , which withdrew from participation, by East Timor (Timor-Leste), marking the newest nation's debut in the competition and expanding the tournament's inclusivity within the region. This adjustment highlighted the AFF's efforts to accommodate emerging football associations while maintaining competitive balance.

Format and Participation

Competition Structure

The 2004 AFF Championship, also known as the Tiger Cup, was structured as an invitational for member associations of the (AFF), with no separate qualification round required for participation. Ten teams competed in a group stage divided into two groups of five teams each, where each team played a single round-robin format consisting of four matches. The top two teams from each group advanced to the based on points earned, with three points awarded for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss. In case of ties on points in the group stage, teams were ranked using the following criteria in order: in all group matches, greater number of goals scored in all group matches, result of the head-to-head match between the tied teams, fair play record (based on yellow and red cards received), and finally drawing of lots if necessary. All matches in the group stage lasted 90 minutes, following standard Laws of the Game. matches were hosted in and , Vietnam, while Group B matches took place in , ; the draw to assign teams to groups and host locations was conducted prior to the tournament. The knockout stage consisted of two-legged semi-final ties between the group winners and runners-up (first leg at the higher-ranked team's home, second leg at the opponent's), followed by a two-legged final between the semi-final winners. This home-and-away format for the semi-finals and final was introduced for the first time in the tournament's history. A single-match third-place play-off was held between the semi-final losers, marking the last edition of the AFF Championship to include this fixture before its removal in 2007. matches that ended in a draw after 90 minutes proceeded to 30 minutes of extra time, with kicks from the penalty mark used to decide the winner if still tied.

Participating Teams

The 2004 AFF Championship, also known as the Tiger Cup, featured ten national teams from , representing the core members of the (AFF). All full AFF member associations were eligible to participate without the need for external qualifying rounds, ensuring a direct entry for established teams in the region. , however, withdrew from the tournament for the third consecutive edition, allowing Timor-Leste to make their debut appearance as a replacement; the Philippines returned after their participation in the 2002 edition. The teams were divided into two groups of five, with hosted in and in , providing home advantages to the respective co-hosts. This structure aimed to balance competition by separating stronger sides based on prior performances, including the two-time defending champions (winners of 2000 and 2002 editions), 1998 champions , and consistent performers and .
GroupHost NationParticipating Teams
ACambodia, , Laos, ,
B, , , , Timor-Leste

Preparation

Venues

The 2004 AFF Championship, jointly hosted by and for the group stage, utilized several stadiums across , with matches assigned based on host nations for the preliminary rounds and home grounds for the phase. This marked the first edition under a new format where the top two teams from each group advanced to semi-finals played on a home-and-away basis, while the final and third-place match were also contested over two legs at the respective teams' home venues. Neutral considerations were minimal, as co-hosting ensured logistical balance for group matches, though the stages extended to additional countries like and . Group A matches were held exclusively in Vietnam, leveraging facilities in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hai Phong to accommodate the participating teams. Key venues included the Mỹ Đình National Stadium in Hanoi, which served as the primary site for multiple fixtures with a capacity of 40,000, hosting games such as Vietnam vs. Indonesia and Vietnam vs. Laos. The Thống Nhất Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, with a capacity of 25,000, opened the tournament on December 7 with Laos vs. Indonesia and Singapore vs. Vietnam. Additionally, the Lạch Tray Stadium in Hai Phong, capacity approximately 28,000, hosted one match: Singapore vs. Laos on December 13. Group B was centered in Malaysia, primarily at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, which has a capacity of 87,000 and accommodated most fixtures, including Malaysia vs. Thailand and Philippines vs. Timor-Leste. The KLFA Stadium in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, with a capacity of 18,000, served as an alternative venue for select games, such as Myanmar vs. Philippines. For the knockout stage, semi-finals were played at the home grounds of the competing teams. The first leg of Indonesia vs. Malaysia occurred at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, capacity 100,000. The second leg was at Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. Similarly, the first leg of Myanmar vs. Singapore took place at KLFA Stadium in Cheras, while the second leg was at the National Stadium in Singapore, capacity 55,000. The third-place playoff, between Malaysia and Myanmar, was held at the National Stadium in Singapore on January 15, 2005. The final legs between Indonesia and Singapore featured the first match at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on January 8, 2005, and the second at the National Stadium in Singapore on January 16, 2005.
StadiumLocationCapacityStage Hosted
Mỹ Đình National Stadium, 40,000Group A (multiple matches)
Thống Nhất Stadium, 25,000Group A (opening match)
Lạch Tray StadiumHai Phong, Vietnam28,000Group A (one match)
Bukit Jalil National StadiumKuala Lumpur, Malaysia87,000Group B (most matches); Semi-final (second leg)
KLFA StadiumCheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia18,000Group B (select matches); Semi-final (first leg, Myanmar vs. )
Gelora Bung Karno StadiumJakarta, Indonesia100,000Semi-final (first leg); Final (first leg)
National StadiumKallang, 55,000Semi-final (second leg); Third-place match; Final (second leg)

Squads

Each national team assembled a squad of 23 players for the 2004 AFF Championship, comprising three goalkeepers along with defenders, midfielders, and forwards to balance defensive solidity and attacking threat. Selections were drawn primarily from players excelling in domestic leagues such as Thailand's and Singapore's S.League, as well as those with proven track records in prior regional internationals like the Southeast Asian Games. Injuries were not a major factor, with only minor absences reported across the teams, allowing most preferred lineups to remain intact. Notable coaches shaped the squads' preparations. Singapore's emphasized youth and naturalized talent, including forwards Itimi Dickson and , alongside goalkeeper Lionel Lewis, who anchored the defense. Indonesia, under , relied on experienced campaigners like forward Ilham Jaya Kesuma for goal-scoring prowess and goalkeeper Hendro Kartiko for reliability between the posts. Vietnam's initial squad was curated by Brazilian coach , featuring emerging talents such as striker Le Cong Vinh on the left wing and midfielder Nguyen Minh Phuong in central roles, though Tavares was replaced mid-tournament. , led by German coach , included veterans like midfielder and forward to drive midfield creativity and finishing. Malaysia's Hungarian coach Bertalan Bicskei selected a blend of experience and pace, highlighting defender Mohamed Jalaluddin and forward . In Group A, and opted for squads heavy on domestic-based players, with Laos coach Vongkham Vongxay focusing on midfielders like Souvanny Phathana for transition play. Group B saw under Bulgarian coach Ivan Kolev integrate defensive stalwarts like , while the , coached by Aris Caslib, debuted Timor-Leste's squad under local guidance, emphasizing resilience with players like forward João Pedro.

Group Stage

Group A

Group A was contested by five teams: , , , , and , with all matches hosted across venues in from December 7 to 15, 2004. The group followed a single round-robin format, where each team played the others once, and the top two advanced to the semi-finals. The opening matches on December 7 at in saw dominate with a 6–0 victory, thanks to a from and two goals from Ilham Jayakesuma, while and played out a 1–1 draw, with goals from Thach Bao Khanh and Indra Sahdan Daud. Two days later, on December 9 at the same venue, crushed 9–1, highlighted by Le Cong Vinh's and two goals each from Thach Bao Khanh and Dang Van Thanh, whereas and finished goalless. On December 11 in at My Dinh National Stadium, edged 2–1 with both goals from Chanathip Luang Amath, but stunned the hosts 3–0, with strikes from Muhammad Mauli Lesi, , and Ilham Jayakesuma. The penultimate round on December 13 again at My Dinh saw thrash 6–2, featuring a brace from Indra Sahdan Daud and Agu Casmir's two goals including a penalty, while routed 8–0, powered by Ilham Jayakesuma's and braces from and . The group concluded on December 15 at Lach Tray Stadium in , where secured a 3–0 win over with goals from Le Cong Vinh, Nguyen Minh Phuong, and Thach Bao Khanh, and defeated 3–0 through Itimi Dickson, , and Khairul Amri. Indonesia topped the group unbeaten, showcasing exceptional defensive solidity by conceding no goals and scoring 17, marking their dominance under coach . advanced as runners-up with a strong attacking display, while , despite a high-scoring campaign, suffered an upset 3–0 loss to that cost them progression. The group produced 46 goals across the 10 matches, with enduring the heaviest defeats and claiming the only win for the lower-ranked sides.
PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
14310170+1710
24220103+78
34211135+87
44103416−123
54004222−200
and progressed to the semi-finals, where they faced teams from .

Group B

Group B of the 2004 AFF Championship, hosted in , , featured five teams: , , , , and Timor-Leste. The group stage matches were played from December 8 to 16, 2004, primarily at the , with the top two teams advancing to the semi-finals. The competition was marked by high-scoring encounters, with a total of 36 goals scored across 10 matches, averaging 3.6 goals per game. , the two-time defending champions, suffered an early exit after finishing third, a notable upset given their status as pre-tournament favorites. Timor-Leste, making their debut in the AFF Championship, struggled throughout, conceding 18 goals while scoring only twice in four defeats. secured second place and advancement despite a surprise loss to , showcasing strong attacking play with 11 goals scored.
PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
1431062+410
24301113+89
34211134+97
4410349-53
5Timor-Leste4004218-160
topped the group unbeaten, advancing to the semi-finals after key results including a 1-0 victory over and a 1-1 draw with . began with a 5-0 rout of Timor-Leste on , followed by a 4-1 win against the on December 10, but fell 0-1 to on December 12 before edging 2-1 on December 14 to secure qualification. started with a 1-1 draw against on December 10 and demolished Timor-Leste 8-0 on December 12, but their 1-2 loss to on December 14 and a 3-1 win over the on December 16 were insufficient for advancement. The earned their only points with a 2-1 victory over Timor-Leste on December 14, while opening with a 0-1 defeat to on and a 1-4 loss to . Timor-Leste's campaign ended with losses in all matches: 0-5 to on , 0-8 to on December 12, 1-2 to the on December 14, and 1-3 to on December 16. All matches were held at in .

Knockout Stage

Semi-finals

The semi-finals of the 2004 AFF Championship were contested as two-legged ties between the group stage winners and runners-up, with the first legs held shortly after the group phase and the second legs delayed by the devastating earthquake and on 26 December 2004, which affected several Southeast Asian nations including and . The ties were played between 28 December 2004 and 3 January 2005, with Singapore facing and taking on .

Singapore vs. Myanmar

The first leg took place on 29 December 2004 at the in , where secured a 4–3 victory. Bennett opened the scoring for in the 20th minute, only for Soe Myat Min to equalize in the 34th and Min Thu to put ahead in the 36th; leveled in the 38th, Noh Alam Shah put ahead in the 63rd, and sealed the win in the 81st, with Soe Myat Min pulling one back in the 90th. The match was a high-scoring affair marked by end-to-end action, showcasing 's resilience in overturning an early deficit despite playing away. The second leg on 2 January 2005 at the National Stadium in went to extra time, with the hosts winning 4–2 after 120 minutes to advance 8–5 on aggregate. Soe Myat Min scored for in the 15th minute, and Aung Kyaw Moe doubled the lead in the 50th, putting pressure on , who equalized through an by Zaw Lynn Tun in the 74th; the game turned chaotic in extra time as were reduced to eight men after multiple red cards, including dismissals that left them vulnerable defensively. then scored twice in quick succession in the 94th and 96th minutes, and added a fourth in the 108th, capitalizing on 's numerical disadvantage and defensive lapses. The crowd at the National Stadium erupted in celebration as clinched progression to the final, highlighting the electric atmosphere amid the tournament's emotional backdrop post-tsunami.

Indonesia vs. Malaysia

In the first leg on 28 2004 at in , Malaysia upset the Group A winners with a 2–1 victory despite a hostile crowd. gave an early lead in the 6th minute, but Liew Kit Kong equalized in the 28th and scored the winner in the 47th, as Malaysia's defense held firm against 's attacks in a match noted for its intensity just days after the . The Senayan crowd created an intimidating environment, but Malaysia's clinical finishing and solid defending secured the advantage. The second leg, rescheduled from late December due to the tsunami's impact on both nations, occurred on 3 January 2005 at in , where staged a comeback to win 4–1 and advance 5–3 on aggregate. Khalid Jamlus scored for in the 26th minute, but dominated the second half with equalizing in the 59th, followed by goals from Charis Yulianto in the 74th, Ilham Jayakesuma in the 77th, and Boas Salossa in the 84th, overwhelming 's defense in a flurry of late strikes. The rapid scoring burst in the final 30 minutes turned the tie, with 's attacking prowess proving decisive despite the away challenge. Singapore and Indonesia qualified for the final, while Myanmar and Malaysia advanced to the third-place play-off. The rescheduling added emotional weight to the knockouts, as teams and fans grappled with the regional , yet the matches proceeded with strong attendance reflecting football's unifying role.

Third Place Play-off

The third place play-off of the 2004 AFF Championship was contested between the semi-final losers, and , on 15 January 2005 at the National Stadium in . This match marked the final third-place play-off in the tournament's history, as the format was discontinued starting from the 2007 edition to streamline the . Both teams entered the fixture motivated by regional pride, seeking a strong finish after disappointing semi-final exits— having lost 3-5 on aggregate to , and falling 5-8 on aggregate to . Malaysia took the lead early through Khalid Jamlus in the 15th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by . Myanmar responded in the second half, with Soe Myat Min equalizing in the 52nd minute via a well-taken shot from the edge of the box, but Malaysia regained the advantage just four minutes later when Mohd Nor Ismail headed in the winner from a . The 2–1 victory secured third place for Malaysia, with Jamlus and Nor Ismail emerging as key contributors in the match. The game was played in a neutral venue, drawing a modest crowd compared to the final, though the atmosphere reflected the competitive stakes for Southeast Asian football prestige. This result provided with a measure of consolation in a co-hosted by their nation, while finished fourth despite a spirited performance from Soe Myat Min, who had been a standout scorer throughout the competition.

Final

The final of the 2004 AFF Championship was a two-legged tie between Singapore, who had advanced by defeating Myanmar in the semi-finals, and Indonesia, who had overcome Malaysia. The first leg took place on 8 January 2005 at Gelora Senayan Stadium in Jakarta, where Singapore secured a commanding 3–1 away victory. Daniel Bennett opened the scoring for the visitors in the 5th minute with a clinical finish from a counter-attack, capitalizing on Indonesia's high defensive line. Khairul Amri doubled the lead in the 39th minute, slotting home after a swift break initiated by midfielder Indra Sahdan Daud. Agu Casmir extended the advantage to 3–0 in the 69th minute, heading in a corner delivery amid Indonesia's frantic attempts to equalize. Despite a tense finish, Mahyadi Panggabean pulled one back for the hosts in stoppage time (90+4') with a long-range strike, but it proved insufficient to alter the momentum. Singapore's tactical discipline shone through, employing a compact 4-4-2 formation that absorbed pressure while exploiting transitions effectively against Indonesia's possession-based approach. In the second leg on 16 January 2005 at the National Stadium in Singapore, the Lions clinched the title with a 2–1 home win, achieving a 5–2 aggregate triumph. Indra Sahdan Daud struck early again in the 6th minute, firing a low shot past the keeper after a deft one-two with Sasi Kumar. Agu Casmir sealed the half-time lead at 2–0 with a 41st-minute penalty, confidently converting after a foul on Khairul Amri in the box. Indonesia mounted a late challenge, with Elie Aiboy reducing the deficit in the 77th minute via a header from a set piece, injecting anxiety into the crowd of over 25,000. However, Singapore's resolute defense, anchored by captain Aide Iskandar, held firm in the closing stages to preserve the victory. The match highlighted Singapore's proficiency in set-piece execution and rapid starts, which disrupted Indonesia's rhythm and prevented a potential comeback. This success marked Singapore's second AFF Championship title, following their triumph, and sparked widespread jubilation. A victory celebration was held on 22 January 2005 at Civic Plaza, , where Prime Minister attended as guest of honour, and the team was greeted by thousands of fans honoring their resilient campaign.

Awards and Statistics

Awards

The Most Valuable Player award for the 2004 AFF Championship was given to Singapore goalkeeper Lionel Lewis, recognizing his exceptional contributions that helped secure the title. The Golden Boot was awarded to Indonesia's Ilham Jaya Kesuma, who scored 7 goals. This honour, typically determined by the AFF technical study group evaluating players' overall impact across the tournament, highlighted Lewis's key saves and leadership in defense.

Goalscorers

The 2004 AFF Championship featured a total of 113 goals across 27 matches, with 82 goals scored during the group stage and 31 in the knockout phase (including semi-finals, third-place match, and two-legged final). 's Ilham Jaya Kesuma emerged as the tournament's top scorer with 7 goals, all for , surpassing the next highest tally by one. His contributions were pivotal in 's runner-up finish, including a in the group stage. The following table lists the top 10 goalscorers, ranked by total goals (with ties broken alphabetically by surname). All players scored in open play unless noted otherwise; no penalties were recorded among the top scorers except for 's (two penalties).
RankPlayerTeamGoals
1Ilham Jaya Kesuma7
26
3Khalid Jamlus5
45
5Soe Myat Min5
6Boas Salossa4
74
8Indra Sahdan Daud4
9Liew Kit Kong4
10Le Cong VinhVietnam4
Ilham Jaya Kesuma's 7 goals broke down as 6 in the group stage—two against (28', 33'), one against (45'), and a against (5', 48', 56')—followed by one in the semi-final second leg against (77'). Agu Casmir's 6 goals included two in the group stage against (45', 92' pen), one each in both semi-final legs against (38', 108'), and one each in both final legs against (69', 41' pen). Among those with 5 goals, Khalid Jamlus scored two against the (67', 77' pen) and two against (63', 65') in the group stage, plus one in the third-place match against (15'); Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto netted one against (86'), two against (74', 76'), and one each in both semi-final legs against (6', 59'); while Soe Myat Min tallied one against (20') in the group stage, two in the first semi-final leg against (34', 90'), one in the second leg (15'), and one in the third-place match (52'). The tournament saw three hat-tricks: Ilham Jaya Kesuma's three goals powered to an 8-0 win against on December 13, Le Cong Vinh's three (58', 87', 89') contributed to 's 9-1 victory over on December 9, and Sarayoot Chaikamdee () scored three against East Timor (63', 65', 67') in an 8-0 group stage rout. Other notable multiple-goal performances included Thach Bao Khanh () with two against (9', 23'), and Boas Salossa () with two against (25', 52').

Team Statistics

The 2004 AFF Championship concluded with as champions after defeating 5–2 on aggregate in the final, marking their second title in the competition. finished as runners-up, while secured third place with a 2–1 victory over in the third-place playoff. The final rankings for all participating teams were determined by knockout stage performance for the top four and group stage results for the others, with tiebreakers applied based on and points. Team performance across the tournament highlighted strong defensive records for , who conceded no goals in the group stage, and offensive prowess for , who netted 23 goals in eight matches. The table below summarizes the overall records, including wins, draws, losses, goals for (GF), goals against (GA), and (GD) for each team.
PositionTeamPlayedWDLGFGAGD
186202310+13
28413248+16
37502169+7
4731312120
54211134+9
64211135+8
7410349-5
84103317-14
9East Timor4004218-16
104004321-18
In the knockout stage, home teams enjoyed a slight edge in the two-legged ties, with three of the four first-leg matches won by the hosts, though aggregates favored the higher-seeded sides overall. The highest-scoring match was Vietnam's 9–1 group stage victory over . Indonesia recorded the most clean sheets with four across their eight matches, all in the group stage, underscoring their defensive solidity en route to the final.

Notes

Controversies

During the group stage, Vietnam suffered a heavy 0–3 defeat to on December 7, 2004, prompting the to dismiss head coach less than a day later. Tavares, who had led the team since 1995, was replaced by assistant coach Trần Văn Khánh for the final group match against , which Vietnam won 3–0 to secure second place in Group A. The sacking was attributed to the poor performance and internal pressures within the federation, marking a turbulent moment for the host nation. The tournament also saw warnings from the regarding potential match-fixing and betting irregularities in Group A matches hosted in , though no formal investigations or penalties were reported at the time.

External Influences

The 2004 earthquake and , which struck on December 26, 2004, profoundly affected the ongoing AFF Championship, particularly its knockout stages. The disaster, triggered by a 9.1-magnitude undersea earthquake off the coast of , , resulted in over 230,000 deaths across 14 countries, with severe impacts in , including and —key participants and co-hosts of the tournament. Although the group stage had concluded on , 2004, the semi-finals proceeded amid the regional crisis, with teams and organizers adapting to the tragedy. The first legs of the semi-finals, held on December 28 and 29, 2004, incorporated tributes to the victims, reflecting the tournament's role in fostering regional mourning and resilience. In the vs. match at in , over 80,000 spectators observed a before kickoff, and both teams wore black armbands to honor the deceased, with approximately 27,000 fatalities reported in alone and at least 65 in . Similarly, the vs. encounter in occurred just three days after the , underscoring the emotional weight on players and fans as the event continued despite the overshadowing disaster. These gestures highlighted football's function as a unifying force in the immediate aftermath. The second leg of the vs. semi-final was rescheduled as a direct consequence of the , demonstrating governmental intervention to prioritize recovery and solidarity. Originally set for January 1, 2005, in , the match was postponed following a request from Malaysian Prime Minister , who called for the cancellation of New Year's festivities to mourn the victims. It was ultimately played on January 3, 2005, allowing focus on relief efforts amid widespread regional grief. This adjustment aligned with broader initiatives for post-disaster unity, as leaders convened in early 2005 to coordinate relief and rehabilitation, with the tournament serving as a platform for communal healing in affected nations. No significant disruptions were reported for the vs. second leg on January 2, 2005, though the overall event contributed to morale-boosting activities during recovery.

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