Indonesian newspaper criticizes Thailand for changing the football format of SEA Games 33

Men's and women's football at SEA Games 33 are divided into 3 groups.

CNN Indonesia said: "The host country of the 33rd SEA Games, Thailand, has a plan to change the format of organizing men's and women's football, they are likely to achieve their goal. Thereby, they will benefit a lot from this decision. Thai football has the ambition to win all 4 gold medals, including men's and women's football and men's and women's futsal at the upcoming Games that they will host."

The Indonesian U.22 team won the gold medal in men's football at the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia in 2023, after a chaotic final match with the Thai team.

Photo: Ha Phuong

The 33rd SEA Games will be held in Thailand from December 9 to 20. The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) has announced major changes to men's and women's football. Accordingly, men's football will limit the age of players to under 22, aiming to prepare for the 2026 AFC U-23 Championship.

With 11 men's teams in the region participating, instead of dividing the teams into 2 groups as usual, this time they will divide into 3 groups, in which the host team U.22 Thailand will be in Group A by default with only 3 teams, the remaining teams will be divided into 2 groups B and C with 4 teams each. The top 3 teams of the 3 groups and 1 second-place team with the best results will enter the semi-finals, followed by the final to compete for the gold medal.

"With such a group, it is clear that the host team U.22 Thailand will benefit greatly because they will play fewer matches than their opponents. They also use the reason of changing the format to reduce the number of matches, in line with the schedule of the SEA Games which only lasts about 2 weeks. The FAT's plan will likely be approved by the AFC (Asian Football Confederation). Thereby, football at the SEA Games will have the first change in competition format in history," CNN Indonesia expressed.

Also according to CNN Indonesia : "The competition for the gold medal in men's football at the 33rd SEA Games promises to be fierce, as currently the national championships of Vietnam, Malaysia and Liga 1 of Indonesia have all planned to temporarily suspend competition for 1 month (December), so that the teams can select players and prepare to compete in Thailand."

Meanwhile, Thai newspaper Siamsport also revealed that in women's football at the 33rd SEA Games, there are currently 9 teams expected to participate, which will also be divided into 3 groups and the host team will still be fixed in group A.

In the case of few participating teams, Thailand is still in Group A and has fewer teams than the other two groups. Similar to men's football, with 3 groups in women's football at the 33rd SEA Games, the 3 group winners and 1 second-place team with the best results will enter the semi-finals and finals to compete for the gold medal.

The 33rd SEA Games football event will be held in Thailand at venues such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Songkhla. The semi-finals and gold medal matches will be held in Bangkok at Rajamangala Stadium.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bao-indonesia-chi-trich-thai-lan-thay-doi-the-thuc-mon-bong-da-sea-games-33-18525042408443279.htm