Cambodia initially registered to compete in 21 sports at SEA Games 33 but later withdrew from nine, including football. The country's sports delegation cited safety concerns for its members following border tensions with Thailand.

As a result, men's football Group A was left with only Thailand and Timor Leste. The SEA Games organizers had to adjust by moving Singapore from Group C, thereby evenly distributing 9 teams into three groups.

"The SEA Games is a Southeast Asian sporting event, and we want many nations to participate, connecting sports," Thawatchai said at a press conference this afternoon, 2/12. "It is regrettable that Cambodia withdrew, but we already have a plan."

Thai coach Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul attends a press conference before the match against Timor Leste in the opening round of Group A at SEA Games 33, at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on 2/12/2025. Photo: Duc Dong

The 51-year-old coach affirmed that his team is ready to face any opponent to achieve their goal of reclaiming the SEA Games gold medal. Thailand has won the men's football gold medal 16 times, most recently at SEA Games 29 in Malaysia in 2017. Following that, Vietnam won the 30th and 31st editions, while Indonesia claimed the previous title.

According to Thawatchai, Thailand has planned its strategy all the way to the final match. "Cambodia withdrew, but we have plans B and C for player rotation to play all four matches," the Thailand U22 head coach stated. "We have prepared thoroughly to apply our strategy at the SEA Games."

Before the Games on home soil, Thailand's squad honed their skills through the U23 Southeast Asia 2025 tournament in Indonesia, the U23 Asian Qualifiers 2026, and friendly matches against China and India. Through four stages of preparation, Thawatchai confirmed he has assembled what he considers the best U22 players in Thailand.

Thawatchai's team will face Timor Leste in their opening Group A match at Rajamangala Stadium at 7 p.m. tomorrow, 3/12. In 2025, Thailand previously defeated this opponent 4-0 in the group stage of the U23 Southeast Asia tournament. After that, the team will have 8 days of rest before playing Singapore.

The men's football tournament at SEA Games 33 features 9 teams divided into three groups. Teams will play a single round-robin format, with the three group winners and the best-performing runner-up advancing to the semifinals.

Hieu Luong