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