VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam's U23 team will face off against arch-rivals Thailand in the opener of the Southeast Asian Games on December 3, as a result of the recent draw.

The two teams have been drawn into Group A, which is comprised of Malaysia, East Timor and Cambodia. It will be a round robin format, with the two top teams qualifying for the semi-finals.

Group B will see Singapore, Myanmar, Indonesia and host Laos compete for other semi-final places.

As scheduled, Viet Nam will meet East Timor on December 4 and have only one day off before playing Malaysia, who have two days off, on December 6.

Viet Nam will play their last group game against Cambodia who won an international friendly tournament, the BIDC Cup, in Cambodia last week after beating Vietnamese former V-League champion Hoang Anh Gia Lai 3-2 in the final.

"Viet Nam are at a disadvantage playing in a group of five teams. It means that we have little time to rest and recover from previous games. However, the SEA Games is the most important event for the U23 squad this year. We'll try to do our best," said coach Henrique Calisto.

The Portuguese Calisto has coached both the senior and U23 team since early this year.

The U23 team won an international tournament - the Smartdoor Cup - last week after a goalless draw against Thailand and two wins over Singapore and China.

The tournament was the last test for Viet Nam just before the SEA Games in Laos next month, where they will room with Thailand - an obstruction to Viet Nam's hunt for gold.

In their head-to-head match at the Smartdoor Cup, both Viet Nam and Thailand held back their top powers, though Thailand remain a favourite for the SEA Games' football gold this year.

In the past 20 years, Viet Nam have taken to the final football event in the SEA Games against Thailand four times. They have never won.

Meanwhile, Thailand have won eight SEA Games' titles, which were launched in Thailand in 1959.

Thailand's squad, which are coached by Australian Steve Darby, are still a powerhouse in the SEA Games, and their best players include Arthit Suntornphit, Jetsadakorn Hemdaeng, Suphaphorn Phomphinit and Phanuwat Jinta.

Calisto will select a 20-member squad for the SEA Games and they will leave for the SEA Games next week.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News

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