Who is best placed to claim the SEA Games 31 men's football gold medal?
After a whirlwind 11 days of group-stage action in the men's football tournament at the SEA Games 31, ten hopefuls have been whittled down to a quartet still in the running to win the coveted gold medal: Viet Nam, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Latest
It should perhaps come as no surprise that it is these four teams that are in the semifinals, which take place on Thursday evening, given they have combined to win every gold medal on offer since the inaugural SEA Games in 1977.
But who is most likely to go all the way? Here, we assess each team's chances.
VIET NAM
The reigning gold medallists from 2019, which was also their first-ever triumph, Viet Nam may not boast the same star-studded golden generation from three years ago but have thus far looked every bit a chance to retain their crown.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of their performances so far is the fact that apart from their three overage players in captain Do Hung Dung, playmaker Nguyen Hoang Duc and striker Nguyen Tien Linh, the rest of the squad are relatively inexperienced at international level, highlighting an impressive array of talent coming through the ranks.
 |
| Reigning gold medallists Viet Nam advanced to the semifinals of the men's football tournament at the 31st Southeast Asian Games after collecting ten points from a possible 12 in Group A -- and are yet to concede in four games. |
The only blemish for the Vietnamese in the group stage was a 0-0 draw with the Philippines, with their opening-day 3-0 triumph over Indonesia the strongest statement from their victories in the other three matches.
20-year-old wing-back Le Van Do has been a revelation, providing assist after assist, while also being part of a sturdy defence yet to concede at the Games.
Verdict: The talent is there, but this Viet Nam team is lacking both in experience and genuine star quality, apart from their overage trio. Winning a second consecutive gold medal is not beyond them, but they could be found wanting as the stakes get higher.
THAILAND
As 16-time record gold medallists at the SEA Games, Thailand have already made amends from a shock group-stage elimination in 2019, finishing ahead of Malaysia to claim top spot in Group B.
The War Elephants boast a strong foundation in the squad with goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan and midfielders Worachit Kanitsribamphen and Weerathep Pomphan, all members of last year's AFF Suzuki Cup-winning team, as their three overage players.
 |
| Thailand's national football team at the SEA Games 31. (Photo: ESPN) |
The Thais have also turned to senior team coach Mano Polking to lead their SEA Games guests on a one-off basis, and he has already imposed his style and intensity on his young charges.
Patrik Gustavsson, Ekanit Panya and Korawich Tasa offer Thailand a variety of goal-scoring options, although they have been proven to be beatable after Malaysia claimed a 2-1 win over them, albeit with a numerical advantage after a first-half red card to Jonathan Khemdee.
Verdict: This team may not be brimming with illustrious names like the gold-medal winning sides of 2013 and 2015, but it is impossible to write the Thais off given their history at the Games, as well as the presence of Polking in the dugout. Importantly, their loss to Malaysia may also have been a much-needed warning in avoiding complacency.
INDONESIA
After the senior side finished runners-up in the most-recent AFF Suzuki Cup with an exciting, youthful outfit, there was plenty of expectation about Indonesia heading into the SEA Games with a wave of players promising to be their very own golden generation.
They have thus far achieved the bare minimum by reaching the semifinals, but that heavy 3-0 loss to Viet Nam highlights just how big the gap could potentially still be between them and Southeast Asia's genuine powerhouses.
 |
| Indonesia are currently in the hunt for their first Southeast Asian Games gold medal since 1991, having never won the tournament since it was converted to an age-group competition. |
With Europe-based duo Egy Maulana and Witan Sulaeman leading the way, along with outstanding prospects such as Marselino Ferdinan and Alfeandra Dewangga, the Indonesians should really be gunning for gold.
Nonetheless, Indonesia have a history of being unable to get over the finish line -- perhaps best illustrated by their six runners-up finishes in Suzuki Cup history -- while they are also the only team from the semifinalists that have not won the SEA Games gold medal since it became an age-group competition.
Verdict: Indonesia's sheer talent is undeniable. Whether or not coach Shin Tae-yong -- who famously led South Korea at the 2018 FIFA World Cup -- can get them to overcome their mental hurdles and believe they can claim the gold medal will be decisive.
MALAYSIA
Apart from Viet Nam, Malaysia are the only other team yet to taste defeat at this year's SEA Games and much of that is down to how well-organised an outfit they are under coach Brad Maloney.
While their squad is relatively youthful, the fact that plenty of the players are tasting regular first-team action at club level has helped prepare them for the intensity they have faced at the Games.
Belgium-based Luqman Hakim Shamsudin is undoubtedly the star for the Malaysians, but Mukhairi Ajmal, Hadi Fayyadh and Nik Akif Syahiran have all been solid contributors.
 |
| Belgium-based Luqman Hakim Shamsudin has been Malaysia's most-potent outlet in attack at the 31st Southeast Asian Games with three goals to his name so far. |
The Malaysians fell to a humbling group-stage exit three years ago but were silver medallists as recently as 2017 and, in an edition with no clear favourites, should be optimistic about their chances of marching on into the final at least.
Verdict: Malaysia have plenty going for them but are perhaps the most vulnerable in defence, having conceded six goals in the group stage - the most of all the four semifinallists. If Maloney can iron out those few remaining kinks at the back, the Malaysians have enough firepower to win the gold medal.
(Source: ESPN)
