Following Cambodia's withdrawal, Group A was left with only Thailand and Timor Leste. The organizers, opting not to redraw, moved Singapore from Group C to Group A. Consequently, Group C now comprises three teams: Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Philippines. The number of group stage matches for these three teams also decreased from three to two.

Indonesia's football team manager, Sumardji. *Photo: Pikiran Rakyat*

"This is certainly good for Indonesia, as we now only have to face Myanmar and the Philippines," Sumardji told Bolasport on 1/12. "The players will have more time to train, refine tactics, and improve their physical condition and morale in Thailand."

U22 Indonesia will begin their campaign later than others, playing the Philippines on the evening of 8/12, four days before their match against Myanmar. The defending champions arrived in Thailand on 28/11, giving them approximately 10 days to acclimatize to the climate in Chiangmai before the group stage.

Beyond football, Cambodia also withdrew from seven other sports, including: judo, karate, pencak silat, petanque, wushu, wrestling, and sepaktakraw. They remain participants in 13 sports, including: swimming, athletics, esports, fencing, gymnastics, martial arts, kickboxing, taekwondo, equestrian, jetski, triathlon, teqball, and volleyball.

Sumardji stated that Indonesia aims to defend their SEA Games championship title. However, coach Indra Sjafri is still without four players competing abroad, including: Mauro Zjisltra, Ivar Jenner, Marselino Ferdinan, and Dion Markx.

Zjisltra and Markx arrived in Thailand on 1/12. Jenner and Marselino will join the squad on 3/12. All are expected to be fully fit before the opening match against the Philippines.

The men's football tournament at SEA Games 33 will run from 3/12 to 18/12, featuring 9 teams divided into three groups of three, playing a single round-robin format. The three group winners and the best second-place team will advance to the semifinals. In the SEA Games 32 final, Indonesia defeated Thailand 5-2 in extra time.

Hoang An (according to Bolasport)