"Indonesia are very strong and have the strongest team at the SEA Games." They have many of the key players who took Indonesia to the 2020 AFF Cup final against Thailand while Vietnam, the defending champions, were eliminated by the Thais in the semifinal. Tan said what Indonesia need is consistency, the lack of which in the past prevented them from being high achievers. "Indonesia have an amazing opportunity to win the title. Thailand, however, are the top gold medal contenders." Vietnam are also contenders, he said: "One of the three will win the men's football gold medal." In the SEA Games 2019 final, Vietnam beat Indonesia 3-0 to win gold. The two teams play on Friday in their first group match. Tan said both teams are balanced, but Indonesia are more experienced. In the SEA Games teams can only have three players aged above 23. Tan said Vietnam's selection for the three players, midfielders Nguyen Hoang Duc and Do Hung Dung and striker Nguyen Tien Linh, are "smart … [Read more...] about Indonesia, Thailand favorites in SEA Games football: ESPN expert
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SEA Games favorites Thailand lose to Malaysia in opening game
In Thien Truong Stadium in northern Vietnam's Nam Dinh Province, Thailand entered the game with good control and led 1-0 with Patrick Gustafson's goal in the 33th minute. But the AFF Cup champions failed to maintain their solid game in the second half after center-back Jonathan Khemdee received a red card in the 42nd minute. Bin Ahmad equalized for Malaysia in the 61st minute and his team enjoyed final victory thanks to an own goal by Thai defender Anusak Jaiphet in the extra minute. Thailand brought to Vietnam many young talents who are playing in Europe with a clear goal of winning the gold medal. They used all three over-23-year-old players allowed in the game with Malaysia, showing determination to earn three points in the first game over the weaker opponents, who only used U23 players. ESPN expert Gabe Tan has said Thailand were the top gold medal contenders this year, ahead of hosts Vietnam. In SEA Games 2019 final, Vietnam beat Indonesia 3-0 to win gold. They played … [Read more...] about SEA Games favorites Thailand lose to Malaysia in opening game