NAYPYITAW (21 Dec 2013) – Between 1993 and 2007, Thailand dominated the SEA Games winning a record-breaking eight successive gold medals. Then Malaysia took over for the next two editions of the regional Games but missed making a third straight final appearance when they crashed to Indonesia in the semi-finals.
While Thailand last struck gold six years ago and Malaysia were champions at the last Games, Indonesia have been out in the wilderness for over two decades. Their last victory was at the Manila Games in 1991 which is 22 years ago.
Coach Rachmad Darmawan is a man with a heavy burden on his shoulders. For he carries the dreams of millions of Indonesian fans who are starved of success and see these SEA Games as the chance to finally put an end to their misery.
On paper, Thailand have the edge over their rivals as proven during the group stage when they whipped Indonesia 4-1. Much has happened since then and Indonesia’s confidence level is at a high after knocking out Malaysia.
“How we perform (in the final) will depend immensely on the recovery of our players. For a start, we are likely to be without Andik (Virmansyah) whose injury appears bad. We had a really tough game against Malaysia and it is crucial how these boys recover.”
Rachmad is of the opinion that if his players have the heart to defeat Thailand, they can do it.
“This is my second final as the coach and I will work hard to make it right this time. We lost the first game to Thailand but the final will be different.”
Thai coach, Kiatisuk Senamuang also warned that the team they played in the group and the one they are to face in the final will be different.
“In any case our target is to win the gold and that’s what we have set out to achieve.”
Thailand will be aiming to complete a sweep of the football and futsal golds. They have already bagged the three other gold medals and the only one left is the men’s football gold, considered by many to be the most important gold medal of any SEA Games. Sports fans remember who won the football gold medal but sometimes not even the overall winners.
Should Kiatisuk deliver the gold, he will be making good the vow of the FA of Thailand president, Datuk Worawi Makudi, who promised to win four gold medals.
Another statistic to consider is that should Thailand win the gold, it would be their 14th men’s football gold medal in the history of the SEA Games.
Malaysia are the next most successful country with six wins while Myanmar (they won as Burma) are third with 5 wins. Indonesia won twice while Vietnam (then South Vietnam) have one gold from the inaugural SEA Games in 1959.
Stats aside, the final is set to be a thrilling battle as both sides gives their best to win the most prized gold medal of these Games. Thailand have proven to have the necessary firepower with strikers like Thitiphan Puangjan and Adisak Kraison who are well supported up by skillful midfielders like Pokklaw Anan.
On the other hand Indonesia appear to have some issues in front of goal. They have only scored four field goals in five matches and that could be some cause for concern for the team.
Although with a low scoring rate, striker Fandi Eko Utomo along with attacking midfielders Bayu Gatra Sanggiawan and Rizki Ramdani have delivered some excellent performances and Thailand would do well to keep a look out for these trio.
PAST WINNERS OF THE SEAP GAMES / SEA GAMES
| YEAR | HOST | WINNER | RUNNERS-UP |
| SEAP Games | |||
| 1959 | Bangkok | South Vietnam | Thailand |
| 1961 | Rangoon | Malaya | Burma |
| 1965 | Kuala Lumpur | Burma-Thailand | |
| 1967 | Bangkok | Burma | South Vietnam |
| 1969 | Rangoon | Burma | Thailand |
| 1971 | Kuala Lumpur | Burma | Malaysia |
| 1973 | Singapore | Burma | South Vietnam |
| 1975 | Bangkok | Thailand | Malaysia |
| Southeast Asian Games | |||
| 1977 | Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia | Thailand |
| 1979 | Jakarta | Malaysia | Indonesia |
| 1981 | Manila | Thailand | Malaysia |
| 1983 | Singapore | Thailand | Singapore |
| 1985 | Bangkok | Thailand | Singapore |
| 1987 | Jakarta | Indonesia | Malaysia |
| 1989 | Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia | Singapore |
| 1991 | Manila | Indonesia | Thailand |
| 1993 | Singapore | Thailand | Myanmar |
| 1995 | Chiangmai | Thailand | Vietnam |
| 1997 | Jakarta | Thailand | Indonesia |
| 1999 | Bandar Seri Begawan | Thailand | Vietnam |
| 2001 | Kuala Lumpur | Thailand | Malaysia |
| 2003 | Hanoi/HCM City | Thailand | Vietnam |
| 2005 | Bacolod | Thailand | Vietnam |
| 2007 | Nakhon Ratchasima | Thailand | Myanmar |
| 2009 | Vientiane | Malaysia | Vietnam |
| 2011 | Jakarta | Malaysia | Indonesia |
| 2013 | Napyitaw | ||
NOS. OF SEA GAMES WINS
13 wins: Thailand
6 wins: Malaysia
5 wins: Myanmar
2 wins: Indonesia
1 win: Vietnam
