THE Philippine U23 Azkals and Filipinas both have to deal with defending champion and host Vietnam when they see action in the group stage of the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) football competitions in early May.
The U23 Azkals campaign in a virtual “Group of Death” after Wednesday’s draw set them up for early battles with holder Vietnam, silver medalist Indonesia and bronze medalist Myanmar in Group A.
Timor-Leste, whom the Pinoy booters played to a 2-2 draw in the AFF U23 Championship last February, completed the five-team bracket. Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore and Laos made up Group B.
Meanwhile, the FIFA Womens’ World Cup-bound Filipinas begin their quest for a breakthrough SEAG gold in Group A versus Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia. Powerhouse Thailand, the silver medalist last time, headlines the other group against Myanmar, Laos and Singapore.
The Filipinas fell short of a podium finish in 2019 in Manila, losing to Myanmar in the bronze medal game, 2-1, but will go into the tournament on a high from their WWC-clinching fourth place in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup last January.
The Vietnamese, who also booked a trip to the world meet after topping the round-robin playoff for the last Asian berth, previously defeated the Pinay booters in the semis of the 2019 SEAG, 2-0, on their way to their sixth gold medal of the conclave.
Initial objective for the Philippine bets will be to finish in the Top 2 of the group to advance to the semifinals.
SEAG football action kicks off on May 6 for the men’s division and May 9 for the women’s side to be held in five venues across five cities. — Olmin Leyba