Southeast Asian newspapers react when U22 Cambodia withdraws from SEA Games

(Dan Tri) - Many Southeast Asian newspapers commented when U22 Cambodia withdrew from SEA Games 33 right before the men's football competition started.

On December 3, the men's football event of the 33rd SEA Games will take place. However, last night (November 26), the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia announced its withdrawal from 8 competitions, including men's and women's football.

The last-minute withdrawal of U22 Cambodia could cause disruption to men's football at the 33rd SEA Games (Photo: Manh Quan).

That puts the organizers in a difficult position. They have not yet considered a new plan, in the context that group A of men's football has only two teams, U22 Thailand and U22 Timor Leste.

Commenting on the withdrawal of U22 Cambodia, Bola Sport (Indonesia) wrote: “The withdrawal of U22 Cambodia right before the 33rd SEA Games has greatly affected the remaining teams. Group A has only two teams: U22 Thailand and U22 Timor Leste.

There is a possibility that the organizers will have to re-draw lots. If this happens, all teams can change their opponents right before the kick-off time. This greatly affects the preparation of the teams, including U22 Indonesia."

Bola (Indonesia) newspaper has an article: "Thailand faces many challenges before the SEA Games: The venue was flooded, Cambodia asked to withdraw at the last minute".

The Indonesian newspaper emphasized: “Songkhla province, southern Thailand, has seen heavy rains, followed by flooding. This is a venue for many sports such as boxing, pencak silat, men's football, chess, judo, kabaddi, karate, wrestling, petanque and wushu.

In that context, the Cambodian sports delegation withdrew from 8 competitions at the SEA Games: football (men's and women's), judo, karate, silat, petanque (petanque), wrestling, wushu and sepak takraw due to concerns for the safety of athletes and officials.

The withdrawal of the Cambodian U22 team from the men's football event at the 33rd SEA Games has greatly affected other teams. The organizing committee is still studying suitable arrangements for the teams before the start of the competition."

The organizers may re-draw the men's football tournament after U22 Cambodia withdrew (Photo: Anh Khoa).

Another Indonesian newspaper, Suara, admitted: “U22 Indonesia faces the risk of re-drawing after U22 Cambodia withdrew. This seriously affects the preparation process for the 33rd SEA Games of coach Indra Sjafri and his team.”

The Malaysian press is also very interested in the recent move of U22 Cambodia. Stadium Astro commented: “Many sports, including men’s football, at the 33rd SEA Games were affected when the Cambodian sports delegation withdrew from 8 competitions. Right before the opening day, the men’s football event is at risk of having to redraw lots.”

SNE Sports (Malaysia) used the word “shocking” to describe the decision of the Cambodian sports delegation to withdraw from 8 sports. This newspaper emphasized: “The re-drawing of lots for both men’s and women’s football at the last minute caused logistical difficulties for the host country, as well as affected the preparation process of the teams. This brought a big challenge to host Thailand when the 33rd SEA Games was just a few days away.”

Thai newspaper Naewna wrote: “Thai football is in a difficult situation. They need to urgently find a replacement for U22 Cambodia.” The newspaper proposed two options: “The first option is to move Singapore, the lowest ranked team (based on the results of the most recent SEA Games) from Group C (consisting of 4 teams) to Group A with U22 Thailand and U22 Timor Leste.

Another option is to redraw the teams from pots 3 and 4, including the Philippines, Laos and Singapore (except Timor Leste, which is already in group A), into three groups. Meanwhile, the teams in pots 1 and 2 will remain the same.

Naewna newspaper confirmed that the organizing committee will announce a replacement plan for U22 Cambodia this week.

Thairath newspaper affirmed: “The sudden withdrawal of U22 Cambodia has changed the schedule of the men's football event. The 33rd SEA Games Organizing Committee may redraw the groups. Host Thailand is facing a challenge right before the opening of the SEA Games.”

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/phan-ung-cua-bao-dong-nam-a-khi-u22-campuchia-rut-khoi-sea-games-20251127163755411.htm