Indonesia out of football, Thais set SEA Games pace

Indonesia crashed out of the Southeast Asian Games football tournament Thursday as Singapore won the first table tennis golds and Thailand took an early lead in the medals table.

Indonesia’s dismal campaign came to an end with a 3-1 defeat to 2007 runners-up Myanmar, leaving them rooted at the bottom of Group B with just a single point after three matches.

Myanmar waited anxiously for the outcome of the later Laos-Singapore clash to see whether they would qualify for the semi-finals. A draw in that match would see both Laos and Singapore through to the last four.

Due to the huge interest from local people, both games were switched to the 20,000-capacity main stadium at the National Sports Complex. They were originally due to take place at a smaller 10,000-capacity venue.

Thailand, gunning for their ninth consecutive success in the under-23 competition, are in action in Group A Thursday. They currently top the standings.

Singapore, who swept all seven table tennis golds at the 2007 SEA Games in Korat, northeastern Thailand, continued their domination, winning the men’s and women’s team events to take their overall tally to six golds, level with Thailand and Vietnam.

In a busy night of action in the pool, seven finals are being held, including the women’s 100 metres freestyle and the men’s and women’s 200m backstroke.

Meanwhile, Philippines tennis chiefs are confident their team, led by Treat Huey, ranked 143 in doubles, and defending singles champion Cecil Mamiit, ranked 443 in singles, can dominate.

“We have a strong chance of winning five gold medals,” said Randy Alcantara from the Philippine Tennis Association, ahead of the start of competition Friday.

The 25th Southeast Asian Games opened in Laos capital Vientiane Wednesday with powerhouse Thailand eyeing another gold rush and officials hoping for an event free from accusations of biased judging which blighted the 2007 edition.

Athletes from 11 nations are competing in 28 disciplines at the 10-day biennial showpiece with track and field under way on Sunday.

Two years ago, then-hosts Thailand dominated the medals standings with 183 golds out of a total of 477 — well ahead of second-placed Malaysia on 68 and Vietnam on 64.

As well as headline events such as football, athletics, and swimming, the Games feature lesser-known sports including the martial arts karatedo and Muay Thai, and sepak takraw — a cross between football and volleyball.

Laos themselves have set their sights on a successful Games, eyeing 25 golds, but the pattern of the hosts winning the event, which has been the case since 2001 in Malaysia, is sure to be broken this time.

The SEA Games participants are Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore. The Games close on December 18.