Thailand 'thirsty' for SEA Games gold medal and the problem of Thai League

Having no results in three consecutive SEA Games forced Thailand to seriously consider its goal of winning a gold medal at the regional sports festival at home later this year.

Thailand U22 is having trouble because many players who are old enough to participate in the SEA Games are busy playing in the Thai League. Photo: Bao Ngoc.

In the last three SEA Games, Thailand U22 failed to win a gold medal. They stopped in the semi-finals of SEA Games 30, lost to Vietnam in the final of SEA Games 31 and suffered a heavy 2-5 defeat to Indonesia in the final of SEA Games 32. This series of achievements created great pressure on the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) from the media and domestic fans.

As the host of the 33rd SEA Games, Thai football understands that another defeat will seriously affect the reputation of this country's football. Comprehensive preparation is a must for FAT at this time. In addition to the two pre-SEA Games tournaments, the Southeast Asian U23 and the 2026 Asian U23 qualifiers, they need to ensure that the U22 team has long-term concentration time and the strongest force.

However, that premise is not enough compared to the fierceness of regional rivals. Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia have all adjusted or postponed their national championships to serve the goal of winning the SEA Games gold medal of the U22 team.

The 33rd SEA Games will take place from December 7 to December 9, coinciding with the first leg of the 2025/26 Thai League season. It will be difficult for Thai clubs to release players to the youth team. This is a situation that has occurred in many previous tournaments.

U22 Thailand missed out on the SEA Games 32 gold medal and left an unsightly image with the fight with U22 Indonesia at the end of the final match. Photo: Bao Ngoc.

V.League was temporarily suspended so that coach Park Hang-seo and then Philippe Troussier could have long-term training for U22 Vietnam. Indonesia postponed Liga 1 at SEA Games 32 and got the gold medal after more than three decades. Malaysia also adjusted the Super League schedule to create the best conditions for the youth team.

Thai football is currently facing many problems such as the national team finishing second at the 2024 ASEAN Cup, stopping at the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the FAT losing the lawsuit and facing many financial difficulties.

The success of the U22 team at the 33rd SEA Games will provide a much-needed boost. The biggest problem is that 80% of the U22 Thai team are currently playing in the Thai League. If the tournament is not stopped, many clubs may not release their players, leading to disputes and the U22 Thai team will not have a strong force like in previous tournaments.

The Thai League operates differently from the V.League or Liga 1 Indonesia. Clubs have their own power, and intervention from the FAT is very limited. Since the SEA Games is not part of the FIFA Days system, clubs have the right to refuse to release players.

FAT and Thai League Company once sat down with the clubs to find a common voice: either stop the tournament, or have a mechanism to ensure that the U22 team is fully called up. But for many years, this issue has not been resolved. In addition, the Thai people are prioritizing continental tournaments and World Cup qualifiers, the U22 team B and C participating in the SEA Games and regional youth tournaments is considered a preparation for the future.

However, Thailand still needs the 33rd SEA Games gold medal, and FAT is forced to make more risky decisions for the honor of the country's football.

Madam Pang, head of the FAT, will play a key role in negotiating with clubs. A failed campaign at home will not only damage the country’s reputation, but will also put the Thai League in a position where it is compared to other domestic leagues in the region and make fans lose faith.

Source: https://znews.vn/thai-lan-khat-hcv-sea-games-va-van-de-cua-thai-league-post1550505.html