Gian Chansrichawla
Football Tribe SEA Editor
Against all odds, all four of the major Southeast Asian nations were drawn together in what may just be the most hotly contested group of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifying round.
Along with the UAE from Pot 1, Group G will feature Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.
The group presents a number of interesting dynamics which make it arguably the most exciting to watch of the upcoming qualifying round.
Firstly, with the exception of the UAE, the familiarity of the teams could make for an extremely interesting set of matches. Coupled with the shorter travel times for their Southeast Asian side, the UAE might just be the biggest losers in the entire draw. That being said, they will still be expected to get out of the group.
Indonesia’s place in Pot 5 also seems highly unjustified and completely at odds with their level as a team. Their earlier FIFA ban may also play a role in giving them a lower coefficient score than they would otherwise have. Given the other teams in the Pot, Indonesia was probably the team to avoid.
This setup also adds to the discussion surrounding which team is the ‘Best in Southeast Asia.’ It is a question that has been at the forefront since the recent rise of Malaysia and Vietnam as challengers to Thailand’s regional supremacy. This group is ideal for generating a ‘power ranking’ of sorts to see just how the region’s teams are developing.
However, there are certainly downsides to this group as well. Given the rise of Vietnam in recent years, it was highly possible that we could see two Southeast Asian sides in the last round of qualifying. However, this draw has made that highly unlikely and would require a capitulation from the UAE.
Additionally, these are teams that already test themselves against each other on a regular basis, though tournaments such as the AFF Cup or the SEA Games. Exposure to more diverse opponents seems like it can only be a good thing for both players and fans alike.
Regardless of the upsides or downsides, the face-off of the region’s four major powerhouses is unavoidable now that the draw has been made. Old rivalries are set to be reignited with the stakes possibly higher than ever before.