2022 AFF Championship
The 2022 AFF Championship, formally known as the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022, was the 14th edition of the biennial association football tournament organized by the ASEAN Football Federation for senior men's national teams from Southeast Asia.[1] Introducing a centralized home-and-away group stage format across multiple ASEAN venues for the first time, the competition ran from 20 December 2022 to 16 January 2023, involving ten participating nations.[2] Defending champions Thailand retained the title by defeating Vietnam 3–2 on aggregate in the two-legged final, securing their seventh championship overall and extending their dominance in regional football.[3][4] The tournament featured intense rivalries, notably the Thailand–Vietnam matchup, though it was marred by refereeing controversies in select group stage fixtures, such as a disputed penalty in the Malaysia–Vietnam encounter.[5]Tournament Background
Historical Context
The ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Championship originated as the Tiger Cup in 1996, marking the inaugural regional men's senior national team football tournament exclusively for Southeast Asian nations, organized under the framework of the AFF, which had been established to foster football development across ASEAN member states.[6] The first edition, hosted across Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam from August 30 to September 20, featured eight teams and culminated in Thailand's 4-2 aggregate victory over Malaysia in the final, establishing the Thais as early dominators with their emphasis on technical skill and tactical discipline.[6] This competition filled a gap in regional football governance, as prior ASEAN efforts focused more on club-level events like the ASEAN Club Championship starting in 1984, but lacked a dedicated senior international showcase until the AFF's push for a biennial format.[7] The tournament evolved through sponsorship-driven rebranding while maintaining its core structure of group stages followed by semifinals and finals, typically involving 10 teams by the 2010s, with hosting often split between two nations to share logistical burdens.[8] After the Tiger Beer sponsorship ended post-2004, it briefly became the AFF Championship for the 2007 edition before adopting the AFF Suzuki Cup name from 2008 onward due to Japanese automaker Suzuki's title sponsorship, which lasted until 2022.[8] Disruptions occurred, notably the 2006 cancellation amid sponsorship disputes and the 2020 edition's postponement to 2021 caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, yet the event consistently drew regional interest, with attendance figures exceeding 100,000 across venues in editions like 2018.[6] By the approach to the 2022 edition, Thailand held the record with six titles (1996, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2020), underscoring their sustained infrastructure investments and player development pipelines, while Vietnam's back-to-back wins in 2018—defeating Malaysia 3-2 on aggregate—signaled the emergence of competitive parity, bolstered by domestic league professionalization and youth academies.[6] Singapore secured four victories (1998, 2004, 2007, 2012), often leveraging home advantage and tactical innovations like Fandi Ahmad's "Shoulder of God" goal in 1998, whereas nations like Indonesia and Malaysia experienced sporadic successes amid broader challenges in consistent qualification and FIFA rankings.[6] The competition's growth reflected ASEAN's expanding football ecosystem, with AFF initiatives integrating it into broader continental pathways, though critiques persisted regarding limited global competitiveness due to infrastructural disparities across participants.[8]Host Nation and Scheduling
The 2022 AFF Championship, known as the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022, featured no designated single host nation. Group stage matches adopted a home-and-away format, with each of the ten participating teams hosting two of their three fixtures at domestic venues across Southeast Asia, including stadiums in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.[9][10] This approach revived the decentralized structure last employed in the 2018 edition, aiming to incorporate home advantage while accommodating post-pandemic logistical constraints.[10] Semifinal ties and the final also followed a two-legged home-and-away system, with Vietnam hosting Thailand's first-leg semifinal on 5 January 2023 at Thống Nhất Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, and Thailand reciprocating on 8 January at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok. The final's opening leg occurred on 13 January 2023 at Mỹ Đình National Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam, while the return leg took place on 16 January 2023 at Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani, Thailand.[11] The overall schedule spanned from 20 December 2022 to 16 January 2023, with group stage games distributed across December and early January to minimize fixture congestion amid regional holiday periods and varying national calendars. The opening matches included Cambodia versus the Philippines on 20 December at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh and Brunei versus Singapore later that day at Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Bandar Seri Begawan.[12][13] This timing aligned with AFF's efforts to maximize attendance and broadcast viewership in a multi-venue setup.[11]Format and Eligibility Rules
The 2022 AFF Championship employed a format consisting of a group stage followed by semi-finals and a final, all conducted on a home-and-away basis. Ten teams were divided into two groups of five, with each participating team scheduled to play four matches in a round-robin system—two at home and two away—against the other teams in their group.[14][15] The top two finishers from each group advanced to the semi-finals, determined by points earned (three for a win, one for a draw), with tiebreakers applied in order of goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head results, and, if necessary, a play-off match.[14] Semi-final and final matches were played over two legs, with the higher-seeded team hosting the second leg; the away goals rule was utilized to resolve ties on aggregate score, reverting to extra time and penalty shootouts only if scores remained level after both legs. No third-place match was contested. This structure marked a continuation of the expanded home-and-away model first introduced in the 2018 edition, aimed at increasing competitive balance and fan engagement across host nations.[14][16] Eligibility was restricted to the senior men's national teams of ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) member associations, comprising Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. Qualification for the finals involved the nine highest-ranked AFF teams by FIFA and AFF criteria automatically advancing, while the tenth spot was decided via a two-legged play-off between the 10th- and 11th-ranked teams; Timor-Leste defeated Brunei in this qualifier on aggregate 2–1 to secure participation. Squads were limited to 23 players, with standard FIFA eligibility rules applying, including nationality requirements verified by AFF and FIFA passports.[11]Pre-Tournament Preparations
Qualification and Participating Teams
The 2022 AFF Championship featured ten participating teams from ASEAN member associations, with qualification determined by FIFA rankings and a playoff for the final berth. The nine highest-ranked eligible teams—Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—automatically advanced to the final tournament.[14] The tenth spot was contested in a two-legged qualification playoff between Brunei and Timor-Leste, the tenth- and eleventh-ranked teams, held on November 5 and 8, 2022. In the first leg at Track and Field Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Brunei, the hosts secured a 6–2 victory.[17] The second leg in Timor-Leste ended 1–0 to the home side, but Brunei advanced on a 6–3 aggregate score, marking their return to the tournament after a 22-year absence.[18] The qualified teams were:- Brunei (via qualification playoff)
- Cambodia (automatic)
- Indonesia (automatic)
- Laos (automatic)
- Malaysia (automatic)
- Myanmar (automatic)
- Philippines (automatic)
- Singapore (automatic)
- Thailand (automatic, defending champions)
- Vietnam (automatic, hosts)[14][18]
Draw and Group Allocations
The group draw for the 2022 AFF Championship was held on 30 August 2022, dividing the ten qualified teams into two groups of five for the round-robin group stage, where each team would play two home matches and two away matches.[15][14] Teams were seeded into pots primarily based on their results from the two preceding editions of the tournament, with Thailand (as host) automatically placed in Group A and Vietnam as the top seed in Group B to balance competitiveness.[19] Subsequent pots included higher-ranked teams such as Indonesia and Malaysia in Pot 2, followed by mid-tier sides like Singapore and the Philippines in Pot 3, ensuring no group contained multiple top seeds.[20] The resulting allocations positioned Thailand and Indonesia as favorites in Group A alongside debut qualifiers Brunei, Cambodia, and the Philippines, while Group B featured Vietnam against Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, and Laos.[15][21][22]Squad Selections and Notable Absences
The 2022 AFF Championship required each of the ten participating teams to register a final squad of 23 players, including at least three goalkeepers, following an initial preliminary list of up to 50 players per team.[23] Squad announcements occurred in early to mid-December 2022, with head coaches prioritizing domestic league performers amid challenges from overlapping club schedules in Europe, Japan, and regional leagues. This timing led to widespread player unavailability, as clubs often declined to release overseas-based talents, prompting several national teams to field younger or less experienced lineups compared to prior editions.[24] Vietnam's squad, announced on November 17, 2022, by head coach Park Hang-seo, emphasized midfield depth with players like Nguyen Tien Linh and Pham Tuan Hai, but was notably weakened by the absence of star midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai, whose French club Pau FC refused to grant his release due to Ligue 2 commitments.[25][26] Additional withdrawals included forward Nguyen Cong Phuong (injured) and defender Tran Dinh Trong, further depleting attacking and defensive options.[25][27] Thailand, under Brazilian coach Alexandré Pölking, selected a 24-player preliminary group on December 1, 2022, featuring veterans like defender Theerathon Bunmathan for leadership, but excluded playmaker Chanathip Songkrasin, who opted out to focus on his Japanese club Consadole Sapporo amid a demanding season.[28][27] Young forward Suphanat Mueanta was also absent, citing club obligations with Belgium's OH Leuven, reducing Thailand's attacking firepower despite their status as defending champions.[29] Malaysia faced the most significant disruptions, with head coach Kim Pan-gon announcing a squad hampered by 12 to 14 key withdrawals, including Johor Darul Ta'zim regulars such as captain Safiq Rahim, defender La'Vere Corbin-Ong, and naturalized defender Dion Cools, primarily due to club fixture clashes and personal reasons.[30][27] This forced reliance on emerging talents from domestic leagues like Safawi Rasid, though the absences compromised defensive stability and experience. Indonesia, coached by Shin Tae-yong, integrated naturalized defender Jordi Amat into their lineup for added solidity, avoiding similar large-scale withdrawals but still missing some overseas prospects.[27] Smaller nations encountered targeted losses, such as Brunei's exclusion of prominent forward Faiq Bolkiah due to club duties in Thailand's league, and Myanmar's sudden retirement of veteran defender Zaw Min Tun, which strained their backline depth.[31] Singapore's selection under Tsutomu Nishigaya included domestic stalwarts but lacked injured forward Ikhsan Fandi, shifting focus to players like Shawal Anuar for goal threats.[27] Overall, these absences highlighted growing professionalization in Southeast Asian football, where international club moves increasingly conflicted with regional tournaments.[24]Venues and Infrastructure
The 2022 AFF Championship adopted a home-and-away format for the group stage, with each team hosting two matches, and extended this to two-legged ties in the semi-finals and final, necessitating a distributed set of venues across Southeast Asia rather than a centralized host location.[11] This approach leveraged national stadiums of participating nations, accommodating local fan attendance while exposing teams to diverse playing conditions. Capacities ranged from modest urban facilities to large modern complexes, with no widespread reports of infrastructure deficiencies impacting play. Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani, Thailand, served as the primary venue for the host nation's matches, including all group stage home games on 11, 14, and 26 December 2022, the semi-final second leg against Malaysia on 10 January 2023, and the final second leg against Vietnam on 16 January 2023.[11] With a capacity of 25,000, the multi-purpose university stadium—featuring a running track and artificial turf in some configurations—was selected after Rajamangala National Stadium became unavailable due to prior concert bookings.[32] Its elevated stands provided good sightlines but drew occasional criticism for pitch quality amid heavy usage.[33] Other group stage venues included Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, a newly constructed 60,000-seat facility opened in 2021 as part of a larger national sports complex, which hosted Cambodia's home matches such as the 3–2 win over the Philippines on 20 December 2022.[11][34] Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore, with a limited capacity of 6,000, accommodated Singapore's group fixtures after the larger National Stadium was reserved for a concert tour; this smaller synthetic-pitch venue constrained attendance but facilitated intimate atmospheres for matches like the 3–2 victory over Myanmar on 24 December 2022.[35][36] In the knockouts, Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia—a 77,193-capacity icon renovated for major events—hosted Indonesia's semi-final first leg versus Vietnam on 6 January 2023, ending 0–0.[37] Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with over 87,000 seats, staged Malaysia's semi-final first leg against Thailand on 7 January 2023.[12] Vietnam's Mỹ Đình National Stadium in Hanoi, capacity approximately 40,000, was used for their semi-final second leg against Indonesia on 9 January 2023 and the final first leg versus Thailand on 13 January 2023, both drawing significant crowds.[11] These larger arenas underscored the tournament's reliance on established national infrastructure, though travel logistics and varying standards highlighted the challenges of the decentralized model.[38]Officiating Appointments
The 2022 AFF Championship employed international referees primarily drawn from Asian Football Confederation (AFC) member associations to ensure neutrality in match officiating.[11] The tournament did not utilize Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, a decision influenced by participating teams' reservations about its potential to disrupt game flow and inconsistent accuracy in application.[39] For the two-legged final between Thailand and Vietnam, distinct referees were appointed for each match. The first leg on January 13, 2023, at Mỹ Đình National Stadium in Hanoi was officiated by Ko Hyung-jin of South Korea.[40] The second leg on January 16, 2023, at Thammasat Stadium in Bangkok was handled by Jumpei Iida of Japan, a FIFA-listed referee since 2011.[41] A notable officiating controversy arose during the Group B match between Malaysia and Vietnam on December 28, 2022, where Japanese referee Ryuji Sato awarded a penalty kick to Vietnam and issued a straight red card to Malaysian defender Muhammad Azam Azmi Murad for an alleged foul. The Football Association of Malaysia subsequently filed a formal complaint with the AFF, citing concerns over the refereeing decisions' quality and fairness.[42] This incident highlighted ongoing debates about referee impartiality in regional competitions, though no broader changes to appointments were reported.[43]Group Stage
Group A Matches and Analysis
Group A comprised Thailand as the defending champions, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Brunei Darussalam, with matches spanning 20 December 2022 to 2 January 2023. Thailand topped the group with an unbeaten record, advancing alongside Indonesia to the semi-finals, while Cambodia secured third place through a notable upset victory. The group showcased Thailand's offensive dominance and Indonesia's recovery from an initial setback, contrasting with the struggles of the Philippines and Brunei.[11] Key results included Cambodia's 3-2 win over the Philippines on 20 December, marking an early surprise as the hosts outperformed expectations against a regional rival.[11] Thailand followed with a 4-0 rout of the Philippines on 26 December, demonstrating superior possession and finishing.[44] On the same day, Indonesia overwhelmed Brunei Darussalam 7-0, capitalizing on defensive frailties to record the tournament's largest margin in the group stage up to that point.[45] Thailand clinched first place with a 3-1 victory over Cambodia on 2 January, where Teerasil Dangda scored twice to secure the result despite a late response from Sieng Chanthea.[46][47]| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thailand | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 2 | +11 | 10 |
| 2 | Indonesia | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 3 | +7 | 9 |
| 3 | Cambodia | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 6 |
| 4 | Philippines | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 9 | -6 | 3 |
| 5 | Brunei DS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 12 | -12 | 0 |
Group B Matches and Analysis
Vietnam topped Group B with an unbeaten record, advancing alongside Malaysia to the knockout stage, while Singapore finished third despite a competitive showing. The group included five teams competing in a round-robin format, with the top two progressing. Matches were played across various venues in the host nations, reflecting logistical challenges due to the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and regional instability.[11] The group stage results were as follows:| Date | Match | Score | Key Scorers/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Dec 2022 | Vietnam vs Laos | 6–0 | Nguyen Tien Linh, Nguyen Quang Hai, and others; Vietnam dominated possession and created numerous chances.[49] |
| 21 Dec 2022 | Malaysia vs Myanmar | 1–0 | Sole goal by Arif Aiman; a tightly contested opener with Malaysia edging victory through defensive solidity.[50] |
| 24 Dec 2022 | Singapore vs Myanmar | 3–2 | Singapore goals by Shahdan Sulaiman, Song Ui-young, and Ikhsan Fandi; Myanmar fought back but conceded late.[51] |
| 24 Dec 2022 | Malaysia vs Laos | 5–0 | Faisal Halim scored twice; Laos offered little resistance, conceding heavily.[52] |
| 27 Dec 2022 | Vietnam vs Malaysia | 3–0 | Nguyen Tien Linh, penalty by Pham Tuan Hai, and Kieu Hoang Duc; Vietnam's clinical finishing and Malaysia's defensive errors proved decisive.[53] [54] |
| 27 Dec 2022 | Singapore vs Laos | 2–0 | Goals by Shawal Anuar and Ikhsan Fandi; Singapore controlled the game against a depleted Laos side.[55] |
| 28 Dec 2022 | Vietnam vs Myanmar | 3–0 | Nguyen Tien Linh brace and one other; Vietnam maintained their clean sheet streak with efficient counterattacks.[11] |
| 30 Dec 2022 | Singapore vs Vietnam | 0–0 | A tactical stalemate; both teams prioritized defense, with Vietnam extending their shutout record.[56] |
| 30 Dec 2022 | Myanmar vs Laos | 2–2 | Late equalizer for Laos; a scrappy encounter between the bottom teams, sharing points.[57] |
| 3 Jan 2023 | Malaysia vs Singapore | 4–1 | Malaysia goals including braces; Singapore's elimination confirmed despite an early lead.[58] |
Knockout Stage
Semi-Final Matches
The semi-final matches were played as two-legged ties on 6–10 January 2023, pitting Thailand against Malaysia and Vietnam against Indonesia, with each tie determining advancement on aggregate score.[11] In the first leg of the Vietnam–Indonesia semi-final, held on 6 January 2023 at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, the match ended in a 0–0 draw, marked by defensive solidity from both sides and few clear chances despite Indonesia's home advantage.[60] Vietnam progressed with a 2–0 win in the second leg on 9 January 2023 at Mỹ Đình National Stadium in Hanoi, where Nguyễn Tiến Linh scored both goals in the 30th and 47th minutes, securing a 2–0 aggregate victory and ending Indonesia's run despite their strong group stage performance.[61][62] The Thailand–Malaysia tie's first leg took place on 7 January 2023 at Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, where Malaysia claimed a 1–0 upset win over the defending champions through Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim's goal in the 11th minute, aided by robust defending that limited Thailand's attacks.[63] Thailand overturned the deficit in the second leg on 10 January 2023 at Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani, prevailing 3–0 to advance 3–1 on aggregate, with their superior finishing and home support proving decisive against a fatigued Malaysian side.[64]| Tie | First Leg (Date, Venue, Score) | Second Leg (Date, Venue, Score) | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam vs Indonesia | 6 Jan 2023, Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, 0–0 | 9 Jan 2023, Mỹ Đình National Stadium, 2–0 | 2–0 |
| Thailand vs Malaysia | 7 Jan 2023, Bukit Jalil National Stadium, 1–0 | 10 Jan 2023, Thammasat Stadium, 0–3 | 1–3 |
Final Match
The final of the 2022 AFF Championship was contested over two legs between Thailand, the defending champions, and Vietnam.[11] Thailand sought to retain the title they won in 2020, while Vietnam aimed to claim their third championship since 2018.[65] The aggregate winner would be crowned champions, with the first leg hosted by Vietnam on 13 January 2023 at Mỹ Đình National Stadium in Hanoi, attended by approximately 18,000 spectators.[66] In the first leg, Vietnam took the lead in the 24th minute through Nguyễn Tiến Linh, who finished a long diagonal pass from Nguyễn Hoàng Đức.[38] Thailand equalized early in the second half via Supachai Chaided before taking a 2–1 lead with a goal from Teerasil Dangda.[66] Vũ Văn Thanh leveled the score in the 88th minute with a long-range strike, securing a 2–2 draw and keeping the tie evenly poised.[67] The match, officiated by Ko Hyung-jin of South Korea, featured intense rivalry with both teams creating chances but unable to secure a decisive advantage.[40] The second leg took place on 16 January 2023 at Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani, Thailand, drawing a crowd of over 20,000.[4] Theerathon Bunmathan scored the decisive goal in the 25th minute with a low shot from the edge of the box after a quick counter-attack, giving Thailand a 1–0 win in the leg.[68] Vietnam pressed for an equalizer but failed to score, resulting in Thailand's 3–2 aggregate victory and retention of the title.[69] The win marked Thailand's seventh AFF Championship, underscoring their dominance in Southeast Asian football against a resilient Vietnamese side.[70]Tournament Outcomes
Final Standings and Rankings
Thailand defeated Vietnam 3–2 on aggregate in the two-legged final on 13 and 16 January 2023 to claim the championship, with the second leg ending 1–0 at Thammasat Stadium.[11] Vietnam secured second place as runners-up. In the semi-finals, Thailand eliminated Malaysia 3–1 on aggregate (first leg: Malaysia 1–0 Thailand on 9 January; second leg: Thailand 3–0 Malaysia on 13 January), while Vietnam ousted Indonesia 2–0 on aggregate (first leg: Indonesia 0–0 Vietnam on 7 January; second leg: Vietnam 2–0 Indonesia on 10 January).[11] [71] This resulted in the top four rankings: 1st Thailand, 2nd Vietnam, 3rd Malaysia, and 4th Indonesia. No third-place match was played. The positions of the other teams were based on group stage results, with tiebreakers applied by goal difference, goals scored, and head-to-head records where applicable.[11] Group A| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thailand | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 2 | +11 | 10 |
| 2 | Indonesia | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 3 | +9 | 10 |
| 3 | Cambodia | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 8 | +2 | 6 |
| 4 | Philippines | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 10 | −2 | 3 |
| 5 | Brunei | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 22 | −20 | 0 |
| [11] |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vietnam | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | +12 | 10 |
| 2 | Malaysia | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 4 | +6 | 9 |
| 3 | Singapore | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 7 |
| 4 | Myanmar | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 9 | −5 | 1 |
| 5 | Laos | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 15 | −13 | 1 |
| [11] |
Individual Awards and Recognitions
The Most Valuable Player award for the 2022 AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup was presented to Thailand's Theerathon Bunmathan, who captained the team to victory and contributed significantly with assists and defensive solidity across the tournament.[72][73] The 32-year-old versatile player, often deployed in midfield during the knockout stages, created the most chances (30) for Thailand and was instrumental in their 3–2 aggregate win over Vietnam in the final.[73] The Young Player of the Tournament accolade was awarded to Indonesia's Marselino Ferdinan, an 18-year-old forward who showcased emerging talent with his pace and goal-scoring threat, helping Indonesia reach the semi-finals before elimination by Thailand.[74] Ferdinan's performances highlighted Indonesia's youth development efforts, though the team fell short of the final.[75] No official best goalkeeper award was announced for the tournament, with recognition primarily centered on overall player impact and emerging talent rather than positional specifics.[73]Top Goalscorers and Statistical Leaders
The top goalscorers in the 2022 AFF Championship were Teerasil Dangda of Thailand and Nguyễn Tiến Linh of Vietnam, who each netted 6 goals across the tournament.[76][22][73] Dangda's goals included contributions in group stage matches and the knockout rounds, helping Thailand secure the title, while Linh's tally featured key strikes for Vietnam, the runners-up.[73]| Rank | Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Teerasil Dangda | Thailand | 6 |
| 1 | Nguyễn Tiến Linh | Vietnam | 6 |
| 3 | Faisal Halim | Malaysia | 4 |
| 4 | Sebastian Beraque | Philippines | 3 |
| 4 | Kenshiro Daniels | Brunei | 3 |
Disciplinary Records
A total of 86 yellow cards and 6 red cards were issued during the 2022 AFF Championship, reflecting moderate disciplinary challenges across 26 matches.[77] Tournament regulations mandated suspension for the subsequent match upon accumulation of two yellow cards or receipt of a single red card, with potential extensions for severe offenses.[78] Team disciplinary records varied significantly, with Vietnam incurring the highest number of yellow cards at 14 alongside 1 red, while Thailand recorded 13 yellows and a tournament-high 2 reds. The Philippines exhibited the strongest discipline, receiving only 3 yellow cards and no reds. These figures contributed to fair play point calculations, where yellow cards counted as 1 point and reds as 3 points each.| Rank | Team | Matches Played | Yellow Cards | Red Cards | Fair Play Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vietnam | 8 | 14 | 1 | 17 |
| 2 | Thailand | 8 | 13 | 2 | 19 |
| 3 | Malaysia | 6 | 11 | 1 | 14 |
| 4 | Myanmar | 4 | 10 | 1 | 13 |
| 5 | Brunei Darussalam | 4 | 8 | 1 | 11 |
| 6 | Laos | 4 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| - | Cambodia | 4 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| - | Singapore | 4 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 9 | Indonesia | 6 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 10 | Philippines | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 |