THAILAND put their reputation as Southeast Asia's top football-playing nation on the line in the inaugural Tiger Cup, which kicks off in Singapore on Sunday and runs until September 15.
The Thais go into the 10-team tournament as favourites after winning the gold medal in the Southeast Asia (SEA) Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand, last December.
But they will face fierce competition from host nation Singapore, SEA Games silver medallists Vietnam and from Indonesia, who, like Thailand, have qualified for the Asian Cup (continental championship) in the United Arab Emirates in December.
The 10 Tiger Cup teams have been divided into two groups of five, with the top two progressing to the semi-finals.
The semi-finals will be held on Friday, September 13, with the final two days later.
Matches will be played at the 55,000-capacity National Stadium and also at Jurong.