FILE–Philippine women’s football team in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. PHOTO BY EARVIN PERIAS/INQUIRER
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine national football teams are expected to have their work cut out for them early in the Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam after being grouped with the defending champions.
Both national squads were slotted in the same group as Vietnam, the reigning champion in both the men’s and women’s events at the SEA Games.
Joining the Philippine women’s team and Vietnam in Group A are Indonesia and Cambodia.
Laos, Myanmar, Singapore and 2019 silver medalist Thailand make up Group B.
The Philippine Women's National Team are in Group A for the 31st Southeast Asian Games this coming May 2022 in Vietnam!#LabanFilipinas #ParaSaBayan pic.twitter.com/B7qZ2RjNAo
— Philippine Football Federation (@philfootball) April 6, 2022
The Filipino female booters missed out on a bronze in the previous edition of the Games following 2-1 loss to Myanmar.
Vietnam edged Thailand, 1-0, in the women’s gold medal game in the 2019 SEA Games in Manila.
In men’s play, the U-23 Azkals will be pitted against Vietnam, 2019 silver medalist Indonesia, 2019 bronze medalist Myanmar and Timor-Leste in Group A of the pool stage while Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Singapore comprise Group B.
The Philippine Men's Under-23 National Team is in Group A for the 31st Southeast Asian Games!#LabanPilipinas 🇵🇭 pic.twitter.com/zMBG8ATvMK
— Philippine Football Federation (@philfootball) April 6, 2022
Only the top two teams in each group will advance to the semifinals.
The 31st SEA Games is slated from May 12 to 23 in Hanoi, Vietnam.