Cambodian football suddenly withdraws from SEA Games

Sea Games - Ảnh 1. — U22 Cambodia (white shirt) withdrew, causing trouble for men's football at SEA Games 33 - Photo: NK

According to Thailand's MGR newspaper, Cambodia asked not to participate in a total of 8 sports at the 33rd SEA Games, including judo, karate, pencak silat, petanque, wrestling, wushu, football and sepak takraw.

This means that the country will only compete in 13 sports. According to rumors, the reason for Cambodia's sudden mass withdrawal is due to security concerns. Currently, Thailand and Cambodia are having conflicts in the border area. Therefore, the Cambodian Olympic Committee believes that its athletes and coaches will not have peace during the SEA Games.

Mr. Thana Chaiprasit, head of the Thai sports delegation, shared that most of the sports that Cambodia withdrew from were team sports. The host country will still ensure absolute security and safety for athletes and coaches during the SEA Games.

In men's football, U22 Cambodia is in group A with host Thailand and Timor Leste. According to the regulations, SEA Games 33 has 3 groups. The top team in each group and the second-placed team with the best record will qualify for the semi-finals.

Cambodia’s withdrawal could cause major problems. While Group A has only two teams, Group B has three and Group C has four. This creates an imbalance. The SEA Games Organizing Committee as well as the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) may have to consider redrawing the lots.

In women's football, the coincidence appears again when the Cambodian team is also in Group A with Thailand. However, this content is less complicated when there are only 2 groups, each group has 4 teams. The first and second teams in the group will directly qualify for the semi-finals. Therefore, the withdrawal of the Cambodian women's football team will not affect too much.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bong-da-campuchia-bat-ngo-rut-khoi-sea-games-20251126210750457.htm