NAYPYITAW (23 Dec 2013) – There is but one clear conclusion to the recent Myanmar SEA Games football competition; it is the fact that Thailand have regained their status as the kingpins of football in Southeast Asia.
The Thais swept four gold medals, two each in Futsal and football. But the icing on the cake was definitely the most prized gold medal of the entire Games – the men’s football crown.
Under the leadership of FA of Thailand President, Datuk Worawi Makudi, Thailand have re-emerged as a powerhouse again, especially in the men’s football, which they have won for the 14th time in the history of the SEA Games. For Worawi, he has delivered on his pre-SEA Games promise of delivering all four gold medals (pix).
Thailand once dominated the event from 1993 to 2007 where they won a record-breaking eight gold medals. From 2009 to 2011, Malaysia rose after a 20-year lapse to snatch the title in two consecutive SEA Games.
Under Worawi, Thailand have reinvented their game and appear back on track to becoming the regional powerhouse again. But their real test will be at next year’s AFF Suzuki Cup and also the next SEA Games in Singapore in two years. Thailand also used to be about the only Asean country to qualify for the Asian Cup Finals and all eyes will be on them to see if they have it to make it to Australia.
Worawi’s decision to bring in former star striker Kiatisak Senamuang or better known as “Zico” has made a tremendous difference. Team officials have said Zico, who once played for first division club in the EPL, has created somewhat of a revolution in the team and the way they play.
While Thailand have regained their place at the top of the heap, Indonesia continue to be the bridesmaid, for the second straight Games. At the last Games, they lost on homesoil to Malaysia and this around, despite giving it their all, once again took the silver.
Coach Rachmad Darmawan, who also handled the team at the last Games, has done a good job with the team especially when they beat archrivals Malaysia in the shootout. But their hopes of winning the gold after 22-years this time around will just have to wait two more years.
Singapore, bronze medallists here in Myanmar, will be the team to watch in the next two years. The young Lions will be doing everything possible to try and create regional sports history by winning the SEA Games football gold for the very first time since the Games made its debut in 1959. They qualified for three finals in 1983, 1985 and 1989 but settled for the silver on all three occasions.
For defending champions Malaysia, the team arrived in Myanmar without seven key players but coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee said that despite the setback, the team had performed well by qualifying for the semifinals. The defeat to Indonesia was in a shootout, which he said could always go both ways.
For hosts Myanmar, their failure to make the semifinals was a bitter pill to swallow. Had the tournament been under FIFA regulations, Myanmar would have advanced on better goal difference.
But because this event is under the jurisdiction of the AFC, the hosts failed to make the cut. This is because under AFC regulations, if two teams are tied on points, the one that wins the head-to-head match between the two will move on.
The SEA Games is treated with immense importance by the various countries and they have all invested heavily to prepare their teams. The next SEA Games in Singapore, which will be played at their new football stadium, will be no different as the teams go all out to bag the gold. In short, next SEA Games will one for all regional football fans to look forward to.
