Thais, Cambodia to clash in Songkhla

The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) staged the official draw for the 2025 SEA Games football competitions in Bangkok on Sunday -- but the ceremony unfolded under a pall of controversy after Timor-Leste accused Thailand of shutting its men's team out of the tournament.

The furious claim from Dili sparked public anger and even calls for protests against Timor-Leste's own Olympic committee, with officials initially pointing the finger at Thailand for the missing entry.

However, Chaiyapak Siriwat, CEO of the SEA Games Federation and vice president of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, insisted the error did not originate in Bangkok.

He explained that all nine eligible nations had been confirmed after the entry-by-name deadline, making it impossible for Thailand to have excluded Timor-Leste.

Late on Friday, Timor-Leste's Olympic officials admitted the mistake was internal, caused by staff failing to key in the football team's registration, and formally apologised to Thailand.

With Timor-Leste granted an entry into the men's football competition, the official draw went ahead, pitting hosts Thailand against Cambodia and Timor-Leste for Group A first round battles.

The men's competition, which will take place between Dec 3-18, will feature 10 teams. They have divided into two groups of three and one group of four, with group winners and the best second-placed team advancing to the semi-finals.

Thailand, the 16-time champions, will play their first round matches at Tinsulanonda Stadium in Songkhla.

Vietnam, the 2021 winners, Malaysia and Laos are in Group B while defending champions Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines and Singapore are in Group C, with matches taking place at Chiang Mai's 700th Anniversary Stadium.

The semi-finals and the final will take place at Bangkok's Rajamangala National Stadium.

Later, the FAT addressed concerns over the men's football draw for the SEA Games, after Timor-Leste was unexpectedly added to the competition lineup just hours before the official ceremony.

Vice president Dr Charnwit Polcheewin said the late change came directly from the SEA Games organisers and the association had no choice but to follow the directive.

Thailand have also drawn bitter foes on and off the field Cambodia in their group for the women's football competitions.

There are eight teams in the women's competition, which will be played at Chonburi Stadium and the National Sports University Chonburi Campus.

Thailand are in Group A with Cambodia, Singapore and Indonesia while Group B includes Vietnam, Myanmar, Philippines and Malaysia.

The group stage will start from Dec 4 to 11 while the semi-finals and the final will be played at Chonburi Stadium between Dec 14-17.

The six-team women's event, which will take place at Bangkok Thonburi University from Dec 12-18, will feature two groups of three.

The men's futsal competition will take place at Nonthaburi Stadium, with five-time champions Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Malaysia competing in a single round-robin format. The team with the most points will take home the gold medal.

Thailand, Malaysia and Philippines are in Group A while Group B consists of Vietnam, Myanmar and Indonesia. The top two teams will qualify for the semi-finals.

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