IT’S 50-50 FOR SEA GAMES MEDAL: SUCIPTO

“Our opportunity to win a medal, especially silver or bronze, remain fifty-fifty. Some countries are really competitive with us at the moment,” said Sucipto.

He said that Thailand will once again be the favourites in the biennial championship with Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines at the same level as Indonesia.

The Thais have won the men’s football gold medal for the last eight editions of the SEA Games since 1993 and they are the best bet for the top spot once again in Vientiane next month.

“We know how Thailand are at the SEA Games. They have a strong team and they have proven that in the past ten year,” said the centre back, who plays for Sriwijaya FC in the Indonesia Super League.

He also agreed with the target set by the Central Indonesia National Sports Committee (KONI) that the Indonesia U23 side should look to winning a medal without mentioning the colour.

“The important thing is we have to bring home a medal, whether gold, silver or bronze. I think, the target given is realistic enough so that we do not feel burdened,” he added.