Who will be crowned SEA Games Football Champion?

It’s going down to the wire with a nail-biting finish – we look at the chances of the biggest teams in ASEAN to win the coveted SEA Games Football Gold

Right as our paper is being distributed, our beloved Lions will be on a do or die mission against Indonesia, to make it to the semi-finals of the 28th SEA Games Football semi-finals.

Currently, both Singapore and Indonesia have 6 points, but Indonesia has a stronger goal difference of 5, as compared to the Lions’ 2.

What it would take for Singapore to go through

On Thu, Jun 11, 8.30pm, Singapore has to give its all to win Indonesia in order to make it through to the semi-finals. There is no other way. A draw would mean Indonesia goes through on better goal difference.

The general sentiment of most Singaporeans is that our boys have good skills and heart, but their play and passing have often let them down. If the team puts in a good shift and takes its chances, a win against Indonesia is highly possible. However, anything less and it’s curtains for Singapore.

One niggling issue is our strike force being goal-shy. Sahil Suhaimi may have scored a late goal against Cambodia on Monday, and put his finger to his lips to silence the critics, but his strike conversion rate (into actual goals) has been far from convincing.

Understandably, most would feel that if Singapore does make it to the semi-finals, it would be fortuitous to avoid Thailand in the draw. Why? Chances are, Singapore would stand a better chance if they avoid the “Kings of Southeast Asian Football” who have been impressive in the group stage.

Thailand or Vietnam the Favourite?

Both Thailand and Vietnam have had strong showings in the group stage matches, with huge thrashings of their opposition.

Let’s have a brief look at a summary of the two teams’ results.

Out of four matches so far, Vietnam has won by four or more goals in three of the matches. However, it surprisingly struggled against lowly Laos, with just a 1-0 win.

Although Thailand recorded impressive 6-0 and 5-0 victories over Laos and Brunei respectively, it had to hammer out narrow 1-0 wins over both Malaysia and the new boys of Timor Leste. Looking at this, it may seem that Thailand is not as strong.

Nonetheless, Thailand is not considered Southeast Asian football royalty for nothing. Thailand has often been the football champion of ASEAN, whether in the SEA Games or the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Cup.

The silky skills and high fitness levels of the Thai players are also of great renown, and this could be their advantage against the industrious and passionate Vietnamese. I suspect the determination and calibre of the Thais will be the edge, and they will prevail in the Final.

In a nutshell, Singapore has a strong chance to reach the semi-finals if it gives its all against Indonesia and takes its scoring chances, while Thailand appear to be the strongest team and most likely to win the SEA Games Football Gold.

Whatever the case, as the saying goes, “the ball is round” and we will only know the final results as they unfold before our eyes. Stay tuned to this year’s heart-stopping SEA Games Football action.

By Lester J Wan

Singapore plays Indonesia in the fight for a semi-final place on Thu, Jun 11, 8.30pm. The 28th SEA Games Football Final will take place on Mon, Jun 15, 8.30pm.