AFF Suzuki Cup gains enhanced coverage alongside digital platform Goal

Liam Watson

AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 has joined forces with the world’s biggest football content and media business Footballco, allowing their flagship digital platform Goal to become the Official Football Website Partner of the tournament.

The exciting partnership will mark the first time that South East Asia’s top football tournament will collaborate with Goal to increase the Championship’s reach.

Goal will be given exclusive access to the tournament, involving behind-the-scenes access and rights to use archive videos, capturing and producing compelling content. The tournament is expected to reach 10 million website and app users throughout Southeast Asia, while a social reach extends to more than 50 million for fans in the region.

Andy Jackson, VP of Media for APAC, Footballco:

“We are delighted to partner with the AFF Suzuki Cup which will undoubtedly allow us to bring the 50 million South East Asian fans Goal reaches each month, much closer to the tournament that they care about the most. We have a number of new and exciting editorial initiatives in the pipeline leading into this year’s tournament that will build excitement and anticipation amongst fans by celebrating the rich history of the tournament, shining a light on the emerging stars as well as presenting Suzuki Cup sponsors with the opportunity to benefit from the unrivalled scale we offer in the region.”

Tilman Wendt, Executive Director, Digital & Brand Marketing – SEA, Sportfive:

“We know that football fans in ASEAN have been anxiously waiting for football to return after the pandemic. With the AFF Suzuki Cup centred around the thrilling regional football rivalries and the great passion of fans, the partnership with Goal is a great opportunity for us to not only amplify the tournament campaign #RivalriesNeverDie but also a chance to create unique stories to engage with Goal’s digital audience across South East Asia. By combining Goal’s and Sportfive’s capabilities, we are confident that we can maximise the content for the benefit of our fans.”

The AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 is scheduled to take place from December 5 2021 to January 1 2022, due to the tournament being postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Record deal puts Australian Lucas Herrington on Premier League stage

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Image Credits: Hull City

Australia’s Lucas Herrington’s rapid rise has reached another major milestone. The 18-year-old Socceroos defender has joined newly promoted Hull City in a reported $33 million deal. The move makes Herrington the most expensive Australian footballer in history.

Hull City have signed the centre-back from Colorado Rapids on a five-year contract. The deal comes after a breakout year for the Queenslander.

World Cup breakthrough

Herrington emerged as one of Australia’s biggest young prospects at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He became the youngest Socceroo to start a World Cup match. His composed performances against top-level opposition helped put him on the radar of clubs in Europe.

After a rapid rise with the Brisbane Roar, where Herrington began his senior career, he then moved to Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.

Now he is heading to the Premier League.

Dream move to England

Hull won the race for Herrington after a strong push to bring him to England.

The club has just returned to the Premier League. It now hopes the teenager can help strengthen its defence.

Herrington has made no secret of his ambition. He described the chance to play in the Premier League as a dream come true. He also revealed that former Hull midfielder Jackson Irvine helped convince him the club was the right fit.

Irvine played alongside Herrington at the World Cup. His positive view of Hull gave the young defender added confidence in the move.

Herrington had attracted major interest from European clubs but his move will see him compete in the biggest league in the world.

Manchester United awaits

Herrington could make his Premier League debut on the opening weekend. Hull face Manchester United on August 22. The fixture offers a huge stage for the teenager.

It is also a remarkable next step for a player who only recently broke into the Socceroos. The reported $33 million fee has added plenty of attention. But Herrington’s focus will now shift to earning his place in Hull’s starting XI.

His move also highlights a growing pathway for young Australian players. After impressing on the international stage, At just 18 years old Herrington now has the chance to test himself every week in the Premier League.

Manchester City and Charlotte Soccer Academy join forces on youth development

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Image Credits: Charlotte Soccer Academy

Manchester City has announced a new youth soccer collaboration with Charlotte Soccer Academy (CSA) and PUMA. The partnership will bring Manchester City’s coaching methodology into CSA’s daily program.

Two full-time Manchester City coaches will relocate to Charlotte, and they will work alongside CSA coaches, players and club leaders. There will also be opportunities for Charlotte’s young players to move to Manchester.

Focus on young players

The main focus will be CSA’s Foundation Phase. That covers players aged 10 to 12, helping them create a foundation.

City coaches will introduce the club’s Play Model and development approach. The sessions will focus on technical skills and decision-making.

They will also help players build a positive relationship with the game. The program will extend across CSA’s wider U9-U12 competitive pathway.

Coaches will benefit too

The collaboration goes beyond player development. Manchester City staff will support CSA coaches throughout the club.

They will help with curriculum planning and coaching development.  The teams will also share best practices that could strengthen CSA’s wider player development pathway.

A pathway to Manchester

CSA players in the program will also have the chance to travel to Manchester each year.

The trips will include competitive matches and access to the Manchester City Academy. The partnership will give young players a direct connection to Manchester City’s football environment.

PUMA backs the project

PUMA is supporting the collaboration as a long-term partner of Manchester City and CSA. CSA has been a PUMA King Club since 2019.

The project brings the three organisations together around youth development. Players, parents and coaches will see the partnership in action from the 2026-27 season, with Manchester City coaches working on the field in Charlotte every day.

The move also marks another step in City’s growing youth soccer presence in the United States.

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