Indonesia triumph in Infantino’s Asian brainchild but real impact could be votes

The inaugural Asean Cup, not to be confused with the existing Hyundai Asean Cup, may not live long in the memory but Fifa president sees benefit It’s probably not a coincidence, what with Fifa’s presidential election getting closer all the time, but Gianni Infantino has been swee

The inaugural Asean Cup, not to be confused with the existing Hyundai Asean Cup, may not live long in the memory but Fifa president sees benefit It’s probably not a coincidence, what with Fifa’s presidential election getting closer all the time, but Gianni Infantino has been sweeping through Asian member associations. There he was attending a ceremony in Macau to inaugurate new headquarters, signing an agreement in Mongolia to build a new national stadium and in Uzbekistan to open a Fifa Arena mini-pitch. All wise moves as Asia is still divided when it comes to the battle for the biggest job in world football.

A number of associations have expressed support for the incumbent; others have openly opposed him; some will decide upon seeing the other candidate; some will follow the lead of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) leadership and vote against Infantino; others will just wait. The culmination of Infantino’s trip were the two finals of the inaugural Fifa Asean Cup, a new tournament for south-east Asia and a few invited guests. In Saturday’s final of the Asean Challenge Cup, the second-tier event held in Hong Kong, Infantino was greeted with chants of “Fifa Mafia”, but 48 hours later in Indonesia for the main event the reception for the 56-year-old was a little warmer.

Jakarta is already onside and did Infantino a huge favour by winning a tournament that was very much his brainchild. Continue reading...