Football

HÀ NỘI — Indonesian women's football team has withdrawn from the 32nd SEA Games just a few hours after the draw on April 5 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The news was announced by the Cambodian Football Federation (FFC) via a post on their Facebook page.

"Please also be informed that the Indonesian women's national team has decided to withdraw from the competition, so in Group A, there are four teams remaining including Việt Nam, Philippines, Myanmar and Malaysia," read the statement.

It is the second time the team, world No 97, left the tournament. They also pulled out of the 31st SEA Games in 2022 in Việt Nam.

Group A is considered the 'group of death' which includes reigning champion Việt Nam, No 33, and ASEAN championship winner the Philippines, No 49. Another strong team is Myanmar who sit at No 47 in the world.

In their latest participation in 2019 in the Philippines, Indonesia were in Group B with Việt Nam and Thailand. They lost both matches, scoring one and conceding 11 goals. They were ousted from the group round.

Indonesia's withdraw however does not make the group easier.

Việt Nam Football Federation General Secretary Dương Nghiệp Khôi said the team's task was to defend their top position.

"Việt Nam have never won a championship easily. The SEA Games has been always our big challenge,” said Khôi. VNS