Indonesian football boss is happy when U22 Cambodia withdraws from SEA Games 33

TPO - Head of the Indonesian team delegation, Mr. Sumardji, emphasized that with Cambodia's decision not to participate in football, the Indonesian U22 team will benefit.

As is known, Cambodia has withdrawn from football. In addition, they also decided not to participate in other sports including shuttlecock kicking, wushu, judo, karate, pencak silat, petanque and wrestling. This decision will certainly disrupt the organization of the 33rd SEA Games.

As for football, the situation is significantly different from the original plan. As a result, Group A of men's football has only 2 teams left: U22 Thailand and U22 Timor-Leste. The organizing committee transferred U22 Singapore from Group C to Group A instead of U22 Cambodia. Thus, all 3 groups will have 3 teams (Brunei and Cambodia withdrew).

Group A includes U22 Thailand, U22 Timor Leste and U22 Singapore, Group B includes U22 Vietnam, U22 Laos and U22 Malaysia while Group C includes U22 Indonesia, U22 Myanmar and U22 Philippines.

Indonesia will only play two matches in the group stage.

According to Mr. Sumardji, this is a favorable adjustment for Indonesia. Because, instead of playing 3 matches, they will only have to play 2 times in the group stage. The sparse match schedule helps Indonesia avoid the worry of injuries.

“Of course this is good for Indonesia. With this change, we only have to play Myanmar and the Philippines,” Mr. Sumardji said. “This schedule allows the players more time to practice, perfect their tactics and improve their physical and mental health in Thailand.”

Another key factor is that the teams will have the conditions to support U22 Indonesia to the maximum. According to the old schedule, this team will play the first match in the context that many players cannot join the team due to being busy playing for their home clubs (playing on the 4th but the national championship will still be played on December 6).

The new schedule coincides with the break of the national championship of the archipelago (7-22/12). Therefore, U22 Indonesia has the opportunity to call up the maximum number of domestic players for the event in Thailand. U22 Indonesia will be the latest to play, against the Philippines on the evening of 8/12. Then 4 days later they will play against Myanmar. Their matches will take place in Chiang Mai.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/sep-lon-bong-da-indonesia-vui-mung-ra-mat-khi-u22-campuchia-bo-sea-games-33-post1801129.tpo