2017 Sea Games Futsal Preview - Awesome Thailand the ones to stop

Published on: 17 August 2017

Kuala Lumpur: Futsal will be contested for the fourth time in the Sea Games and with the 2017 edition kicking off in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow, the-AFC.com previews the men's and women's tournaments.

Men's Teams: Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia 

Thailand have been unbeatable in futsal at the Sea Games, having won all three previous editions and given their superiority at the ASEAN level, it will be difficult to stop them. Bluewave Chonburi's recent win in the 2017 AFC Asian Clubs Futsal Championship Vietnam is further proof of Thailand's prowess in futsal and it will be a major upset if they are denied SEA Games gold again. Thailand also finished third in the 2016 AFC Futsal Championship after beating Vietnam 8-0.

Vietnam played second fiddle to Thailand in the last two SEA Games - losing 8-3 and 8-1 in the 2011 and 2013 finals respectively - and after suffering heartache following Thai Son Nam falling at the semi-final stage of the 2017 AFC Futsal Club Championship, can be expected to be firing on all cylinders to end Thailand's dominance. Vietnam made headlines in the 2016 AFC Futsal Championship when they defeated Japan in the quarter-finals, earning them a semi-final berth. Despite their loss to eventual winners Islamic Republic of Iran, and Thailand in the third-place play-off, both Southeast Asian teams qualified for the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Colombia.

Vietnam finished fourth in the 2016 AFC Futsal Championship in Uzbekistan.

Malaysia's best finish was in the 2007 edition where they won silver. They finished fourth in the 2011 Sea Games and will be aiming to do much better on home soil.

Indonesia were bronze medallists in all the previous editions and will be targeting to better that, especially after some of their players gained valuable experience from playing for Vamos FC in the recent 2017 AFC Asian Clubs Futsal Championship.

Myanmar have never won a futsal medal in the Sea Games, with a fourth-placed finish on home soil in 2013 their best achievement. They will be aiming to change that in Kuala Lumpur. 

Fixtures - Men (League Format) 
August 18
Thailand v Vietnam 
Myanmar v Malaysia 

August 20
Indonesia v Thailand 
Malaysia v Vietnam 

August 22
Vietnam v Myanmar 
Indonesia v Malaysia 

August 25
Vietnam v Indonesia 
Myanmar v Thailand 

August 27
Myanmar v Indonesia 
Malaysia v Thailand 

Women's Teams: Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia

Thailand have been equally dominant in Sea Games women's futsal, as they too enjoy a perfect record of three gold medals. Stopping them will be a huge task as the Thai women have pledged to return home with the gold medal yet again. 

Vietnam have played second fiddle to Thailand on all three previous occasions and on paper, look the best bets to create an upset. That, however, will depend on just what they can produce on game day against the awesome Thais.

Malaysia were bronze medallists in the 2013 edition and will be aiming to better that, especially with the backing of their home fans. Malaysia also hosted the 2015 AFC Women's Futsal Championship, but missed out on third place after a 4-1 loss to Thailand. 

Thailand claimed third place in the 2015 AFC Women's Futsal Championship.

Myanmar were bronze medallists in the 2011 edition but failed to win a medal when the Games were held on home soil two years later and will be determined to correct that.

Indonesia will be seeking a medal for the first time, with the fourth placed finishes of 2011 and 2013 their best achievements at the SEA Games 

Women's Fixtures (League Format) 
August 18 
Vietnam v Thailand 
Malaysia v Myanmar 

August 20 
Myanmar v Thailand 
Malaysia v Indonesia 

August 22
Indonesia v Myanmar 
Vietnam v Malaysia 

August 25
Myanmar v Vietnam 
Thailand v Indonesia 

August 27
Indonesia v Vietnam 
Thailand v Malaysia

Photos: AFC

Source: the-afc.com

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