The 33rd SEA Games group-stage football match between hosts Thailand and Cambodia, two neighbouring countries that have been embroiled in a border dispute in recent months, has been deferred by a day to take place on December 11 at the same venue, Rajamangala National Stadium.
With relations strained by the protracted border dispute, Thailand and Cambodia will face off on the pitch after being drawn in Group A of the men’s football competition at the forthcoming 33rd SEA Games, to be held in Bangkok, Chon Buri and Songkhla between Dec 9 and 20. Timor Leste is the other team in the group.
According to the Group A schedule released last week, Thailand, the most successful nation in the event, was set to kick off its campaign to reclaim the title they last won in 2017 against Timor Leste on December 3 at Rajamangala National Stadium, before taking on Cambodia on December 10 at the same venue.
While the date of the Timor Leste fixture remains unchanged, the organisers have now decided to push the Thailand–Cambodia match back by a day, to be played on Dec 11 instead.
The decision was made as the organisers wanted to ensure the pitch is in the best possible condition, given that Rajamangala is due to host the Games’ opening ceremony on December 9.
The kickoff time for both of Thailand’s group-stage games remains at 7pm.
