They advanced smoothly to the semifinals as expected, without difficulty.
The Thai women's national futsal team scored continuously to defeat Malaysia 6-0.
They secured the top spot in Group A with a perfect 6 points.
They advanced to the women's futsal semifinals at the 33rd SEA Games to face Indonesia.
The semifinal match will take place on Tuesday afternoon, 16 December 2025 GMT+7, at 13:30 at BTU HALL, Bangkok Thonburi University.
Meanwhile, the men's futsal tournament at this SEA Games will begin on Monday, 15 December 2025 GMT+7.
Five nations—Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Malaysia—will compete in a round-robin format.
After four matches, the nation with the highest points will claim the gold medal outright.
There will be no final match for a second chance.
Therefore, the Thai futsal teams must focus intensely on every match and every game they play.
They cannot afford to lose to any opponent, not even once.
Because that would greatly increase the risk of missing out on winning the gold medal on home soil for the first time.
Over the past 18 years since futsal was first included in the SEA Games in 2007 at Nakhon Ratchasima Province,
the Thai men's and women's futsal teams have consistently stood atop the podium, winning gold in all five editions without fail.
These were in 2007 at Korat, 2011 in Indonesia, 2013 in Myanmar, 2017 in Malaysia, and most recently 2021 in Vietnam.
At the 2025 SEA Games, with Thailand hosting again, the Thai futsal teams are led by Spanish coach Miguel Rodrigo.
This is Coach Miguel's first experience at the SEA Games in his career.
It may also be his last before he steps down as Thailand's national team head coach, as his contract ends at the end of this year.
Therefore, winning the SEA Games gold medal is the sole goal he aims to achieve as a crowning achievement in his coaching career.
However, this will not be easy, as all four ASEAN challengers have rapidly developed their skills and become stronger.
The Vietnamese futsal team, representing the Nguyen lineage, remain Thailand's perennial rivals.
They have continuously tried to dethrone Thailand as the ASEAN futsal champions in every era.
At this SEA Games, they are coached by Argentine Diego Justozi.
The Javanese futsal team of Indonesia is also formidable.
They caused Thailand pain at the most recent ASEAN Championship in Korat,
eliminating Thailand in the semifinals before going on to claim the ASEAN title impressively.
Indonesia remains the only team to have defeated Thailand at the 2017 SEA Games in Malaysia.
So, if asked which nation Thailand most wants to avenge,
it must be the Garuda futsal squad from Indonesia.
The other two nations cannot be underestimated or overlooked, as they are led by highly skilled Thai coaches.
Coach Mee Rakpol Sainetngam, former head coach of Thailand, now leads Malaysia's national team.
And Coach Ae Pattaya Piamkum is the head coach of Myanmar's national team.
Both have deep knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of Thai futsal players.
This is why I say that defending the SEA Games gold medal for Thailand's futsal teams this time will be a very tough mission.
Here is the competition schedule for the War Elephants' futsal teams:
Monday, 15 December 2025 GMT+7: Thailand vs. Malaysia.
Tuesday, 16 December 2025 GMT+7: Myanmar vs. Thailand.
Thursday, 18 December 2025 GMT+7: Vietnam vs. Thailand.
Friday, 19 December 2025 GMT+7: Thailand vs. Indonesia.
All matches start at 19:00 at the Gymnasium, Nonthaburi Provincial Central Stadium.
I encourage Thai futsal fans to come and support the national teams in large numbers at the venue.
The sixth SEA Games gold medal for both the men's and women's teams is within reach.
Especially if they receive overwhelming support from all Thai people.
Bee Bangpakong
joggingboy_be@yahoo.com