Neighbours Malaysia and Singapore will renew their rivalry at the 2022 AFF Championship after being pitted against one another in Tuesday afternoon's draw for the upcoming tournament.
Four-time champions Singapore and 2010 winners Malaysia were both drawn in Group B alongside fellow heavyweights Vietnam, as well as Myanmar and Laos.
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Singapore, who last won the biennial tournament in 2012 -- will look to build on a creditable run to the semifinals at the most recent edition -- which was delayed a year due to the coronavirus pandemic -- while the Malaysians will be hoping to bounce back from a disappointing group-stage elimination.
Having established themselves as one of Southeast Asia's dominant forces in recent years, Vietnam will also be looking to reassert their authority following a semifinal exit last time out.
Meanwhile, Group A will see an immediate rematch of the 2020 final with reigning champions Thailand pitted against Indonesia, the team they defeated 6-2 on aggregate to claim a record-extending 6th title back in January.
The Thais are expected to enter the region's premier international competition as favourites once again, but Indonesia will be looking to back up what was an impressive charge to the decider -- having began the tournament as underdogs.
Philippines, Cambodia and the winner of the two-legged qualifier -- to be contested by Timor-Leste and Brunei Darussalam on Nov. 5 and 15 -- complete Group A.
With the most recent edition of the AFF Championship being held centrally in Singapore due to travel complications due to the pandemic, this year's tournament is set to return to a home-and-away format with teams each hosting two group-stage ties0
With the FIFA World Cup also taking place at the end of this year, the 2022 edition of the AFF Championship is scheduled to begin on Dec. 20 and will run through to Jan. 16.
2022 AFF CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW
Group A: Thailand (defending champions), Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, qualification winner (Timor-Leste or Brunei Darussalam)
Group B: Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Laos