MANILA – The national men’s and women’s football teams have a shot at ending the country’s medal drought. They got favorable draws in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games slated later this month.
During the draw of lots held yesterday morning, the women’s U-22 national football team got separated from 2017 SEA Games tormentor Thailand in the group stages of the regional meet.
The Philippines has been bracketed with Myanmar and Malaysia in Group A while Thailand was grouped with defending champion Vietnam and Indonesia in the other pool.
The competition is from Nov. 26 to Dec. 10.
The top two teams in each group advance to the knockout playoffs.
The country’s women’s team looks to improve its fourth place finish two years ago.
The Under-22 men’s football team, meanwhile, has been slotted in Group A with Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Timor Leste.
Group B is the “group of death” featuring strong teams from Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Singapore, and Brunei.
Thailand won the men’s football gold, beating host Malaysia, 1-0 in the finale of the 2017 meet./PN
