Group A will see co-hosts Vietnam take on Indonesia, Philippines and Laos. All the games are at the My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi, except for the final match day when both games will be played concurrently. The Hang Day Stadium will be the other venue for the simultaneous kick-off.
Vietnam are the main title contenders from this group. But perennial underachievers Indonesia and the fast rising Azkals will be hoping to go all the way while David Booth's Laos will be hoping to upset the applecart when the action kicks off on Nov. 22.
Vietnam
Vietnam, who are co-hosting the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup along with defending champions Singapore, are in Group A alongside Indonesia, Philippines and Laos.
Coached by former J.League manager Toshiya Miura, the Golden Stars' main claim to fame is winning the ASEAN title back in 2008. In the 2012 campaign, they failed to make it out of the group stage, with two losses and a draw putting an end to a disappointing campaign.
The Japanese tactician has come in and revamped the squad with the emphasis on playing a high octane pressing game that stifles opponents in their own half. But their chances of winning a second ASEAN title will depend on the two key strikers up front in veteran Le Cong Vinh and Nguyen Hai Anh. They have 39 goals in 64 matches between them and have forged a deadly combination in attack.
Cong Vinh, who scored the winning goal in the 2008 edition, will operate just behind Hai Anh, with the likes of Nguyen Trong Hoang and Pham Thanh Luong providing much of the ammunition.
Indonesia
For a country who are slated as one of the giants of Southeast Asian football, Indonesia have surprisingly failed to bring their talents to the ASEAN stage. The Merah Putih have repeatedly disappointed their legion of loyal fans, despite boasting some of the region's top players including Bambang Pamungkas and Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto.
Indonesia will go into the 2014 edition with a seasoned campaigner in Austrian coach Alfred Riedl at the helm - he coached Vietnam and Laos previously - and with captain Firman Utina the most capped player amongst a group of hungry players. With Evan Dimas, Irfan Bachdim and Cristian Gonzales in their squad, this could be the year that Indonesia finally get their act together and go all the way to the final.
Having done well in club football, playing for some of the top Asian sides like Thailand's Chonburi FC and current employer Ventforet Kofu of Japan, Irfan needs to start delivering on the international stage. His seven-goal return for his country is a measly contribution for his position as a false number nine, behind the main target man.
Firman, on the other hand, needs to show the leadership qualities that this young Indonesian team lack, especially if Dimas or Rizky Pora start alongside him.
Philippines
From a decade ago, when they were considered regional football minnows, to making it into the semifinals of the previous two tournaments in 2010 and 2012, Philippines have come a long way. They are now widely regarded as a rising power in ASEAN football.
The Azkals will have former United States international Thomas Dooley pulling the strings as coach. If their core group of players -- including former Fulham goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, the Younghusband brothers and captain Rob Gier -- can deliver their usual high standards, Philippines could make it out of Group A, ahead of traditional giants like Vietnam and Indonesia.
James and Phil Younghusband, who turn out for Loyola Meralco Sparks, will once again be central figures for the Azkals. With 48 goals between them, the two former Chelsea FC juniors will need to be closely watched.
Dooley has had to make a couple of enforced changes in his preparations with Buriram United's star striker Javier Patino ruled out through injury and midfield maestro Jason de Jong retiring from the international stage.
This Philippines team have what it takes to go all the way. But, with rumours of strife between the coach and the players, it remains to be seen if they have the unity to be consistent for the whole tournament.
Laos
Laos made home advantage count in the qualifying round and finished second, behind Myanmar to book their place for the main event.
Head coach David Booth is in his second stint as Laos coach. The ASEAN minnows have managed to transform themselves into a much improved unit with a strong emphasis on a pass-and-move style of play under the Englishman. They will be hoping to make it out of the group stages for the first time in their history.
Tim Xad's hopes will rest mainly on two star players, striker Khampheng Sayavutthi and attacking midfielder Soukaphone Vongchiengkham. They were their team's top goal scorers in the qualifying round with the former netting three while Soukaphone got four to his name.
Booth's reliance on youngsters -- the Laos squad has no player above the age of 30 -- could turn out to be a brilliant development move. But their lack of international experience on the big stage may come back to haunt them.