Hanoi (VNA) – The Indonesian women's football team haswithdrawn from the 32nd SEA Games just a few hours after the draw on April 5 inPhnom Penh, Cambodia.
The news was announced by the Football Federation of Cambodia(FFC) via a post on their Facebook page.
"Please also be informed that the Indonesian women's nationalteam has decided to withdraw from the competition, so in Group A, there arefour teams remaining including Vietnam, Philippines, Myanmar andMalaysia," read the statement.
It is the second time the team, the world’s No 97, left thetournament. They also pulled out of the 31st SEA Games in 2022 in Vietnam.
Group A is considered the 'group of death' which includes reigningchampions Vietnam, 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 thePhilippines, Indonesia were in Group B with Vietnam and Thailand. Theylost both matches, scoring one and conceding 11 goals. They were ousted fromthe group round.
Indonesia's withdraw however does not make the group easier.
The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF)’s General Secretary DuongNghiep Khoi said the team's task was to defend their top position.
"Vietnam have never won a championship easily. The SEA Gameshas been always our big challenge,” said Khoi./.