TOR CHITTINAND

Runners-up Thailand and defending champions Singapore have avoided one another in the draw for the AFF Suzuki Cup, which was made in Jakarta yesterday.

The biennial tournament, to crown the kings of Asean football, will be co-hosted by Indonesia and Thailand in December, following a five-team qualifying event in Cambodia in October.

Singapore will take on Indonesia, Burma and the runners-up of the qualifier in Group A as they hope to extend their unbeaten run of 15 games in the tournament.

Thailand, who have splashed out to hire former Sunderland boss Peter Reid as their new coach, were drawn in Group B alongside 2007 Asian Cup surprise packets Vietnam, Malaysia and a qualifier.The matches will be played in Bangkok.

Ex-Everton star Reid is arriving in Bangkok this morning and expected to take up his post with Thailand on September 1.

Singapore won the tournament for the second time with victory over Indonesia in 2004 and retained the title against Thailand in early 2007.

President of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), Mr Worawi Makudi who attended the draw, said no team should be underestimated.

''There is not a lot between the teams.We have to prepare our team very hard and be ready for the competition. Our aim is to bring back the title to the country.''

Mr Worawi confirmed Reid would be in charge of the team from Sept 1.

''We (FAT) have already selected players for the team. Peter can make changes after he has seen some of the teams performing in the Thailand Premier League.''

The group stage games will be played Dec 5-10, semi-finals Dec 16 to 21 with the two-legged final Dec 24 and 28.

Cambodia, Brunei, Laos, the Philippines and Timor Leste will battle it out for the two remaining spots in the finals in Phnom Penh from Oct 17-25.

THE DRAW

Group A (in Jakarta): Indonesia, Singapore, Burma, Runners-up Qualifier

Group B (in Bangkok): Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Winners Qualifier.