The fabulous win scored by Indonesia over kingpin Thailand in men’s Futsal last night has injected renewed vigour into Futsal after a day’s break.
Nothing last forever they say, and Indonesia certainly proved this when they beat one of the world’s top teams in Futsal to brighten their chance of winning their first ever gold medal in the event.
With just five teams playing in a round robin competition, all matches will be crucial and with Thailand conceding a loss in their second game of the meet, the ball is in Indonesia’s court to wrest the title from the Thais.
The Thais have won the Futsal crown for three editions at the SEA Games beginning in 2007 at home in Korat before grabbing their second crown in 2011 in Jakarta.
They then grabbed the fabulous four – Futsal men and women as well as the football men and women – at the SEA Games 2013 in Napyitaw.
But following their loss to Indonesia this time round, Thailand have little choice but to win all their remaining matches and hope that Indonesia faltered in theirs.
Incidentally, Indonesia had emerged third for the bronze medal at the three editions it was competed.
“We are in a difficult position but we have to keep going,” said Thai coach Pulpis. “We have to be better than what we have shown so far.”
But while the Thai men are keeping their fingers crossed over the next several days, the women’s team is in a much better position where they are currently perched at the top of the standings with the full six points from two matches played.
Enroute they have also scored a total of 13 goals to stamp their supremacy and seem certain to grab their fourth crown in four appearances at the biennial games.
Just like the men’s team, the Thai women’s Futsal team had taken the title in 2007, 2011 and also 2013.
They had beaten Vietnam 3-1 in their first game before romping to a 10-2 win over Myanmar in their second match.
But with a match against Indonesia and then hosts Malaysia still to play, the battle is far from over.
“We are only thinking of the next match (against Indonesia) and nothing else,” added Thai coach Udom Taveesuk. “Concentration will be key.”
MEN’S FUTSAL Current Standings (as at 21 August 2017)
| No | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| 1 | MALAYSIA | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| 2 | INDONESIA | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 3 | THAILAND | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| 4 | VIETNAM | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 1 |
| 5 | MYANMAR | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 0 |
WOMEN’S FUTSAL Current Standings (as at 21 August 2017)
| No | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| 1 | THAILAND | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 3 | 10 | 6 |
| 2 | INDONESIA | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 3 | MALAYSIA | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 4 | VIETNAM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| 5 | MYANMAR | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 12 | -9 | 0 |
