MALAYSIA
With the not-so-ideal preparations, Young Tigers are not dreaming big this time, although fans hope Brad Maloney's side will bring back a medal from Hanoi.
A few newcomers have been included in the team by Maloney, who is using the Sea Games asaplatform to prepare for next month's Under-23 Asian Cup.
However, the players only had limited training time with Maloney as they reported for training in stages due to their commitments in the M-League.
And it showed in recent friendly matches as the team were hardly impressive against Timor Leste (lost 2-1) and the Philippines (won 2-0).
Maloney has decided not to include overage players, although teams are allowed to have three seniors. Hadi Fayyadh Razak, Luqman Hakim Shamsudin, Quentin Cheng, Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi and Nik Akif Syahiran Nik Mat are the key players in Maloney's 24-member squad.
Except for Hadi, the rest have played for the senior team. Overall,things do notlook ideal for Malaysia, butfans should take into account that the Sea Games are not as important as the Under-23 Asian Cup.
For the record, Malaysia sent their Under-19 squad for the 2019 Manila edition, and as expected, did not qualify for the semi-finals. The surviving members from the 2019 squad are Hadi, Quentin, Nik Akif, Harith Haikal Adam Afkar and Umar Hakeem Suhar Rezwan.
Prediction: Semi-finals
MEDALS:
Gold — 1961, 1977, 1979, 1989, 2009, 2011
Silver — 1971, 1975, 1981, 1987, 2001, 2017
Bronze —1959, 1969, 1973, 1983, 1985, 2003, 2005
COACH: Brad Maloney
SQUAD: Azri Ghani, Firdaus Irman, Rahadiazli Rahalim, Ahmad Zikri Khalili, Quentin Cheng, Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar, Azrin Afiq, Fahmi Daniel, Faiz Amer, Azam Azmi Murad, Umar Hakeem Suhar Rezwan, Ubaidullah Shamsul, Hairiey Hakim Mamat, Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi, Syahir Bashah, Aiman Afif Afizul, Safwan Mazlan, Nik Akif Syahiran Nik Mat, Danial Asri, Hadi Fayyadh Razak, Luqman Hakim Shamsudin , Shafi Aszwad Sapari, Nur Azfar Fikri Azhar, Syafik Ismail
THAILAND
Thailand are the hot favourites to win their 17th Sea Games gold medal in Hanoi. Having guided the national side to the AFF Cup title last year, coach Mano Polking is looking forward to winning another crown at the Sea Games.
Experienced goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan will skipper the Thai team who will kick off their campaign against arch-rivals Malaysia on Saturday.
Worachit Kanitsribumphen and Weerathep Pomphan join Kawin as the three overage players in the squad that also include foreign-based players Jonathan Khemdee (OB Odense), Benjamin Davis (Oxford United) and Chayapipat Suphannapeset (Estoril).
Although their limited training time could have an impact on the team, Polking hopes his senior players will be able to lead the youngsters.
Although the FA of Thailand had rescheduled the domestic league and cup matches to help the Sea Games side, some clubs did not release their players as the tournament falls outside the Fifa international calendar.
Prediction: Semi-finals
MEDALS:
Gold — 1965, 1975, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2015, 2017
Silver — 1959, 1969, 1977, 1991
Bronze — 1961, 1967, 1971, 1979, 1987
COACH: Mano Polking
SQUAD: Kawin Thammasatchanan, Supanut Suadsong, Jonathan Khemdee, Anusak Jaiphet, Theerapat Laohabut, Chonnapat Buaphan, Nakin Wisetchat, Jaturapat Sattham, Weerathep Pomphan, Worachit Kanitsribampen, William Weidersjo, Benjamin Davis, Airfan Doloh, Chayapiat, Ekanit Panya, Narakorn Noomchansakul, Jakkit Palapon, Teerasak Poeiphimai, Patrik Gustavsson, Korawich Tasa
SINGAPORE
After three straight group stage exits, Singapore are hoping to finish on the podium in Hanoi. But it is going to be tough in the absence of captain Jacob Mahler and siblings Irfan and Ikhsan Fandi.
Denmark-born defender Mahler tore the cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee recently, while the Fandi brothers have not been released by their Thai club BG Pathum United as the Games are not part of the official Fifa window.
Coach Nazri Nasir has called up goalkeeper Zaiful Nizam, defender Syahrul Sazali and midfielder Zulfahmi Arifin to fill the three overaged slots.
Zaiful, 34, will be the captain of the 20-player squad on his Sea Games debut.
The last time Singapore claimed a medal was a bronze at the 2013 Myanmar edition. The Lions have yet to win the biennial games gold medal.
With Thailand being the favourites, Singapore and Malaysia are expected to fight it out for the other semi-final spot.
Prediction: Third
MEDALS:
Silver — 1983, 1985, 1989
Bronze — 1975, 1991, 1993, 1995, 2007, 2009, 2013
COACH: Nazri Nasir
SQUAD: Ridwhan Fikri, Zaiful Nizam, Harith Kanadi, Irfan Najeeb, Jordan Emaviwe, Nur Adam Abdullah, Ryaan Sanizal, Ryhan Stewart, Syahrul Sazali,
Arshad Shamim, Harhys Stewart, Jared Gallagher, Joel Chew, Saifullah Akbar, Shah Shahiran, Zulfahmi Arifin, Glenn Kweh, Khairin Nadim, Nicky Melvin Singh, Zikos Chua. Khairin Nadim, Nicky Melvin Singh, Zikos Chua
CAMBODIA
Cambodia will be out to improve on their semi-final feat, achieved in Manila three years ago.
Like Malaysia, the Koupreys have decided not to call up overage players, but this move might backfire on them.
Captain Tes Sambath has been ruled out after the defender picked up an ankle injury recently.
However, Cambodia will have the services of midfielder Lim Pisoth and forward Sieng Chanthea, who are among the best players in the squad.
Chanthea was part of the Cambodian team that reached the semi-finals at the 2019 edition, where he scored the fasted goal in the history of the Sea Games against Myanmar, scoring just 18 seconds into the bronze-medal playoff match.
However, Cambodia lost the bronze after losing 5-4 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
Prediction: Fifth
MEDALS: None
COACH: Keisuke Honda
SQUAD: Hul Kimhuy, Vireak Dara, Taing Bunchhai, Soeuth Nava, Yue Safy, Chea Sokmen Phat Sokha, Vang Davin, Ean Pisey, Nhean Sosidan, Sin Sovannmakara, Min Ratanak, Choun Chanchav, Chou Sinti, Sieng Chanthea, Mao Piseth, Ky Rina, Sa Ty, Lim Pisoth, Im Somoun
LAOS
Laos could surprise the form book if they can replicate their strong showing from the AFF Under-23 Championship in February.
The Million Elephants made history by qualifying for the semi-finals after defeating Malaysia 2-1 and 2-0 in the group stage.
They went on to finish third in Cambodia. The team built around seniors — Phithack Kongmathilath (midfielder), Kaharn Phetsivilay (centre-back) and Phouttha say Khochalern (midfielder) — have enough experience to take on any strong team as most had also played in last year's AFF Cup in Singapore.
All eyes, however, will be on 21-year-old Bounphachan Bounkong, who stole the thunder from the Malaysians in the AFF Under-23 event.
The midfielder's skill and high work rate will be key to their campaign in Hanoi.
Prediction: Fourth
MEDALS: None
COACH: Michael Weiss
SQUAD: Keooudone Souvannasangso, Seeamphone Sengsavang, Kaharn Phetsivilay, Anantaza Siphongphan, Phoutthavong Sangvilay, Nalongsit Chanthalangsy, Phetdavanh Somsanid, At Viengkham, Phoutthasay Khochalern, Phithack Kongmathilath, Sinnakone Koumanykham, Phatthana Phommathep, Thanouthong Kietnalonglop, Damoth Thongkhamsavath, Chanthavixay Khounthoumphone, Bounphachan Bounkong, Visith Bounpaserth, Ekkamai Ratxachak, Chony Wenpaserth
* Group A comprise defending champions Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines and Timor Leste.