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FIFA REJECTS FAM'S APPEAL OVER NATURALISED PLAYETS, BUT SHOULD MALAYSIA CONTINUE FIGHT WITH ARBITRATION?

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) will be appealing Fifa's decision with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Summary

• FAM will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after FIFA upheld fines for using allegedly fake documents for naturalised players.

• FAM faces a 350,000 Swiss franc fine, while seven players face individual fines and suspensions.

• Opposition leaders demand accountability from ministers, while concerns rise over the use of public funds for legal fees amid fan criticism.

KUALA LUMPUR – The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) will be taking its case to an arbiter after losing on Nov 3 its appeal over penalties imposed following the scandal embroiling naturalised players in the national team, saying it was “very surprised by (Fifa’s) decision”.

Global governing body Fifa has upheld a 350,000 Swiss franc (S$564,900) fine against FAM, while the seven players in question were fined 2,000 Swiss franc each and suspended from all football-related activities for 12 months.

FAM’s decision to appeal the decision was, however, derided by some fans of the national team, who criticised the move as a waste of resources when allocations are already tight.

“After analysing the submissions and conducting a hearing, the Appeal Committee decided to dismiss the appeals, and to confirm in its entirety the following sanctions imposed upon FAM and the seven players,” the Fifa Appeal Committee said in a statement.

“FAM and the players have been notified of the terms of the decision,” it added.

It said FAM and players have 10 days to request a detailed ruling from Fifa, and 21 days to file an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) – a step FAM said it intends to take.

“FAM will write to Fifa to obtain full details and written reasons for the decision before taking the next step of appealing to the CAS,” its acting president Mohd Yusoff Mahadi said in a statement on Nov 3.

“This is the first time FAM has faced such a situation. Our lawyers and management are very surprised by the decision.”

On Sept 26, seven naturalised players from Harimau Malaya – as the national team is nicknamed – were suspended by Fifa over the use of allegedly fake documents that showed their ties to Malaysia.

The seven are: Spain-born Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces and Jon Irazabal Iraurgui; Netherlands-born Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano; Argentina-born Rodrigo Julian Holgado and Imanol Javier Machuca; and Brazil-born Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo.

On Oct 7, Fifa released its grounds for the decision, showing that the grandparents of the players had been born in Spain, Argentina, Brazil and the Netherlands, and not in Malaysia.

A player must at least have a grandparent born in the country, if they wish to play for the national team.

Fifa’s decision on the appeal came less than a week after Argentine news publication Capital de Noticias published on Oct 31 a copy of the birth certificate of Garces’ grandfather, Carlos Rogelio Fernandez.

According to its report, both Fernandez and his father were Argentine citizens born in Santa Fe in the country, despite FAM previously telling Fifa that Fernandez was born in Penang.

Mr Garces had on Sept 26 brushed off concerns over his ancestry, attributing the affair to a clerical error.

“I’m a Malaysian from my grandparents’ roots and I’m honoured to play for my country,” Garces wrote in an Instagram post that has since been deleted.

Amid mounting scrutiny, FAM appointed former chief justice Md Raus Sharif to lead an independent investigation into the case and recommend further action.

Tun Raus, who helmed Malaysia’s judiciary from 2017 to 2018, said on Nov 3 that the investigation and report would be completed within six weeks.

“The committee will carry out their duties independently and with full commitment to ensure transparency and fairness in their findings,” Mr Raus told The Star after the committee’s first meeting.

But Opposition leaders have been unsparing in their criticism, calling instead for Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution and Sports and Youth Minister Hannah Yeoh to either be suspended or step down.

“This is an epic scandal that not only disappointed supporters but also embarrassed the country,” Opposition MP Syahir Sulaiman posted on X on Nov 4.

While FAM can take the next step with CAS, not everybody is convinced it should go through with the move.

“FAM has a whole lot of explaining to do. So who is the agent(s) who recommended the footballers? Will the footballers now initiate legal action against FAM?,” asked veteran sports journalist Haresh Deol in a Nov 4 LinkedIn post.

“And more importantly, will FAM use the RM15 million (plus RM15 million from the private sector) allocated in Budget 2025 to pay the fines and legal fees to take this matter up to CAS?”

On FAM’s Facebook page, some commenters were supportive of the federation taking it up with the CAS. Top commenter Mohd Azhar Nordin said FAM should go ahead if it feels this is its “last lifeline” to correct its course.

Meanwhile, comments on Harimau Malaya, a Facebook fan page of the national football team that carries the same name, were more critical. User Afendy Pay said that going to the CAS would also open the room for Vietnam and Nepal to dispute Malaysia’s Asian Cup wins against the two countries.

“At CAS, there’s a high chance FAM will lose. At AFC (Asian Cup), there’s a high chance Vietnam and Nepal will win. So, let time determine FAM’s fate.”

- Hadi Azmi

PPA TOUR ASIA OF THIS YEAR: ELEVATING ITS SPORTS TOURISM IN SOUTHEAST ASIA WITH PICKLEBALL COMPETITIONS IN MALAYSIA AND VIETNAM

PPA Tour Asia 2025 will revolutionize sports tourism in Southeast Asia with Malaysia and Vietnam getting ready to host consecutive pickleball tournaments. The Malaysia Cup (September 24-28, 2025) and Vietnam Cup (September 30 – October 4, 2025) will feature world-class international players, including Ben Johns, Federico Staksrud, and Anna Bright, in the region. The events, with a US$150,000 prize fund per event, will attract pickleball enthusiasts and sporting tourists from all over the globe.

These occurrences underscore the increasing importance of sports tourism across Southeast Asia, where a mix of world-class sporting events, high-end resort offerings, and cultural experiences provides the ideal context for international travelers in search of active recreation and cultural exposure. Adding pickleball to the portfolio of competitive sports as an offering across the region is opening new doors for local economies and tourism sectors, especially as the sport continues to grow in popularity worldwide.

Pickleball’s Role in Southeast Asia’s Growing Sports Tourism Market

The growing popularity of pickleball is playing a key role in the rise of sports tourism in Southeast Asia. The PPA Tour Asia cups will showcase the region’s potential as a destination for sports tourism, where athletes, tourists, and spectators can enjoy a dynamic mix of sports, leisure, and cultural activities.

Sports tourism is an essential segment of global tourism and has gained significant traction in Southeast Asia. The PPA Tour Asia 2025 will be a pivotal moment for Malaysia and Vietnam, both of which are emerging as top destinations for sporting events and active travel. These countries already benefit from a strong tourism base, known for their beautiful landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant cities. The addition of high-profile sports events like pickleball tournaments brings an entirely new dimension to their tourism offerings.

The Economic Impact of Pickleball Tournaments on Local Tourism

The impact of sports tourism on local economies is undeniable, with events like the PPA Tour Asia serving as a major economic driver. In both Malaysia and Vietnam, the sports tourism sector is expected to contribute to increased revenue through hotel stays, local transportation, restaurants, and tourist attractions.

For example, in Kuala Lumpur, where the Malaysia Cup will be held, the surge of international athletes and spectators will boost demand for accommodation in luxury hotels and resorts. Similarly, Da Nang in Vietnam will see increased foot traffic to local beaches, cultural sites, and restaurants during the Vietnam Cup. As both destinations capitalize on their natural beauty and unique cultural experiences, sports tourism will support sustainable growth in their local tourism industries.

In addition, local businesses in the hospitality, transport, and service industries will benefit from the influx of sports tourists, who often contribute significantly more to the economy compared to traditional leisure travelers. This economic injection will help stimulate regional growth, create job opportunities, and promote the development of tourism infrastructure.

The Role of Regional Partnerships in Driving Sports Tourism Growth

A key element of the PPA Tour Asia 2025 is its focus on fostering regional collaboration between Malaysia, Vietnam, and other Southeast Asian nations. The tournament will encourage cross-border partnerships, where tourism agencies, government officials, and local stakeholders will work together to create cohesive travel packages and sports-related experiences that appeal to international tourists.

In addition to the sports competition itself, Southeast Asia’s sports tourism will benefit from the integration of cultural experiences and tourism initiatives that highlight the region’s unique attractions. The region’s proximity to major markets like China and India further enhances its tourism potential, as travelers seek to explore multiple countries while participating in sports tourism activities.

Pickleball and the Evolution of Sports Tourism in Southeast Asia

Pickleball is an emerging sport that has the potential to contribute to Southeast Asia’s growing sports tourism market. As more international tournaments are held in the region, the sport’s popularity will continue to rise, bringing new audiences and increasing media coverage. This expansion could lead to the development of pickleball tourism packages that cater to athletes and spectators who want to combine their passion for the sport with the experience of exploring new destinations.

The PPA Tour Asia plays a key role in positioning Southeast Asia as an emerging destination for international sporting events, helping to diversify the region’s tourism offerings. Events like this will also encourage the establishment of pickleball academies, sports training camps, and tourism-focused pickleball tours, creating a robust sports tourism ecosystem in the region.

Pickleball as a Catalyst for Long-Term Sports Tourism Growth in Southeast Asia

PPA Tour Asia 2025 in Vietnam and Malaysia is a significant driver of Southeast Asia’s long-term sports tourism expansion. It combines world-class pickleball tournaments with Southeast Asia’s vibrant cultural heritage to drive local economies, demand for travel, and tourism supply. Adding pickleball to Southeast Asia’s sports tourism landscape will help increase travelers visiting the region, generate economic growth opportunities, and develop improved regional collaboration.

- TravelandTourWorld.com

ASEAN CHAMPIONSHIP DECIDER DELIVERS SHEER DRAMA AS VIETNAM DETHRONE THAILAND

Vietnam have won the 2024 ASEAN Championship after a thrilling 3-2 win over Thailand on Sunday saw them prevail 5-3 on aggregate in the two-legged final. SPORTFIVE

In what was expected to be an ASEAN Championship final that would go down to the wire, the drama of extra-time and penalties ultimately was not required.

Nonetheless, that did not stop the two finalists from combining to produce a sheer heart-stopper on Sunday -- as Vietnam prevailed in an epic second leg with a 3-2 win over Thailand at Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium to win their third regional crown with a 5-3 aggregate triumph.

Leading 2-1 from Thursday's first leg, Vietnam might have been forgiven had they opted for a conservative approach in the return encounter but it was they who struck first through a neat finish by Phạm Tuấn Hải.

The hosts would duly respond and levelled the aggregate score through goals from Ben Davis and Supachok Sarachat -- the latter in controversial fashion.

But after Vietnam edged back ahead late on through a Pansa Hemviboon own-goal, Thailand's last-ditch bid to stay alive would pave the way for Nguyễn Hai Long to seal the triumph with a coolly-taken 50-yard effort right at the death.

The result saw Vietnam exact revenge on their familiar foes after the 2022 final produced the opposite outcome, with Thailand also denied an unprecedented third consecutive title.

And while Vietnam were arguably the pre-tournament favourites given they boasted, on paper at least, the most formidable squad, they still had to overcome their fair share of adversity to taste the ultimate success.

There was no bigger hurdle than what eventuated in the 33rd minute on Sunday although, by then, two goals had already flown in at Rajamangala.

After just eight minutes, with many expecting Thailand to start on the front foot, Vietnam drew first blood when a long ball from the back eluded Jonathan Khemdee's attempt at a headed clearance and was allowed to bounce inside the opposition area -- with Tuấn Hải reacting quickest to lift his shot over a stranded Patiwat Khammai.

The inevitable Thailand reply arrived in the 28th minute when their high press saw Doãn Ngọc Tân give away possession on the edge of his own area, allowing Davis to coolly stroke a bending effort from all of 25 yards beyond Nguyễn Đình Triệu's despairing dive and into the bottom corner.

Just five minutes later, disaster looked to have struck for Vietnam.

In what looked to be a self-inflicted injury that has since been suspected as an anterior cruciate ligament tear, star man Rafaelson had to be stretchered off after his knee buckled under his full weight as he looked to break free down the right.

Rafaelson, who only made his international debut in their final group-stage match and already had seven goals from just four matches prior to Sunday, was undeniably their most-influential player.

He had already looked poised to singlehandedly win them the tournament, and he would eventually claim both Most Valuable Player and Top Scorer awards, which his teammates accepted on his behalf while holding up his jersey after he had been conveyed to hospital.

With their main threat gone, Thailand's spirits rose even higher.

From the end of the first half to the beginning of the restart, Thailand began to really probe at the Vietnam defence with only some desperate defending keeping them at bay.

When the War Elephants eventually edged ahead on the night, however, it came amid real controversy.

There was initially huge confusion but replays would ultimately show that, after Đình Triệu had hurled the ball straight out of play presumably so an injured player could receive treatment, Thailand opted not to return possession from the throw-in.

Instead, Supachok would advance towards goal and unleash a stunning 35-yard effort that had the Vietnam custodian beaten all ends up.

The Vietnamese camp went livid. There even appeared to be a VAR check to assess the legitimacy of the strike.

After he went to both coaches to explain his interpretation of events, referee Ko Hyung-Jin signalled that the goal was allowed to stand.

At this point, there appeared every chance that Vietnam would let their tempers boil over. In years gone by, it just might have.

Yet, while the challenges started to get a little later and tastier, it was Thailand who found themselves down to ten men in the 74th minute when Weerathep Pomphan received his second booking for clattering into Vũ Văn Thanh.

He might even have been penalised two seconds earlier for cynically dragging Nguyễn Quang Hải back by the collar.

Vietnam definitely would have felt justice had prevailed eight minutes later as they reclaimed the aggregate lead courtesy of an own-goal from the luckless Pansa.

After a clever shuffle of his feet saw Quang Hải break free on the edge of the box, he selflessly opted against firing away and instead shifted the ball out wide to Tuấn Hải.

While his shot was weak, Pansa -- for so long the role model and stoic statesman of the Thailand team -- opted to stick out a leg to intervene and only succeeded in prodding the ball past Patiwat to his horror.

Just eight months after taking on the job, Kim Sang-Sik has followed in the footsteps of South Korean compatriot Park Hang-Seo by leading Vietnam to ASEAN Championship glory. SPORTFIVE

Still, Thailand were never going to go away quietly. They were, after all, not only the defending champions but the tournament's record seven-time winners.

The ever-enterprising Suphanan Bureerat smashed an effort off the bar in the final minute of regulation time, before Pansa -- in his quest for redemption -- narrowly failed to find an unmarked Seksan Ratree with a flick-on header after venturing forward.

Another high ball into the Vietnam area caused all sorts of pandemonium but Seksan could only drill his shot straight into a defender who was fortuitously in the way after his feet had given way.

15 minutes of added time had been signalled. The tie was now into its 110th minute.

In one final attempt to keep the tie alive, Thailand sent Patiwat up for the corner.

Vietnam cleared - and then had the nerve to think their way through the situation. After riding a challenge, Hai Long would proceed to send a low effort from almost the halfway line towards Thailand's unguarded goal.

Almost poetically, the ball seemed to take an eternity to roll towards the back of the net. Defenders were scampering back but they were never going to get there.

When the ball finally crossed the line, Vietnam knew they were champions of Southeast Asia once more.

To further highlight the significance of the feat, Thailand had only previously lost once on home soil in the tournament. It was also in the final -- the first leg on that occasion -- and it was against Vietnam in 2008.

That year, the Vietnamese would lift the trophy for the first time.

16 years on, they have now done it thrice.

- Gabriel Tan

SINGAPORE VALIANT IN DEFEAT AS BRAVE ASEAN CHAMPIONSHIP RUN COMES TO AN END

Singapore's brave run at the 2024 ASEAN Championship came to an end on Thursday as a 3-1 defeat to Vietnam saw them lose 5-1 on aggregate in the semifinals. HOANG ANH/AFP via Getty Images

At the end of the day, this Singapore team probably were not ready to mount a legitimate title challenge at the ASEAN Championship just yet.

And it proved to be the case.

Reaching the semifinals was already an achievement in itself and that proved to be as far as they would get, after a 3-1 loss at Việt Trì Stadium on Sunday completed a 5-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of Vietnam.

The damage had already been done three days earlier when they were unable to make the most of home advantage.

Given the monumental task that is getting a result away to Vietnam, Singapore really needed a win at Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday. A draw would have been the bare minimum.

Yet, having done so well to match it with their more-illustrious opponents for 90 minutes, Singapore would concede twice deep into added time to suffer a costly defeat.

Even with a mountain to climb, the aptly-nicknamed Lions refused to go away without a fight in the return encounter.

Just as it was in the first leg, there was plenty of controversy on Sunday.

Getting on the front foot from the opening whistle, Singapore thought they had given themselves a lifeline after just ten minutes.

A long throw from Lionel Tan was flicked on by Safuwan Baharudin and, after Shawal Anuar's initial effort had been blocked by Nguyễn Đình Triệu, Faris Ramli was able to guide a follow-up header into the back of the net despite the combined attempts of Bùi Tiến Dũng and Nguyễn Thành Chung to clear it off the line.

The goal was immediately ruled out, however, and after a lengthy VAR review, it was deemed that Faris had just strayed marginally offside. The amount of time it took the officials to make the decision suggested it was a close one.

11 minutes later, it was Vietnam's turn to have a strike chalked off. This time, it did not take as long to confirm that Châu Ngọc Quang had illegally climbed on the back of Nazrul Nazari en route to sending a header into the far corner.

And as was the case three days earlier, the visitors will be aggrieved by the manner in which a penalty was awarded against them in the 41st minute even though it was technically a correct decision.

Tan had dragged down Rafaelson inside the area as a ball was played into the area but the overhit delivery was nowhere in the vicinity of the incident, although the Singapore defender only had himself to blame for putting himself at risk of being penalised.

It paved the way for Rafaelson to send Izwan Mahbud the wrong way from the spot and, all of a sudden, the Lions had an even bigger mountain to climb.

The contest was effectively over two minutes after the hour mark when Vietnam doubled their tally for the evening.

Embarking on an industrious charge down the left byline, Nguyễn Hoàng Đức forced his way past both Amirul Adli and Tan before his low ball into the six-yard box was inadvertenly diverted by a desperate Safuwan to the back post, where Rafaelson gleefully accepted a simple tap-in from two yards out.

Still, Singapore refused to give up.

12 minutes later, they gave themselves the slimmest of lifelines -- a deserved consolation, at the very least -- when Kyoga Nakamura was afforded too much space at the edge of the box and fired away a speculative effort that took a deceptive bounce in front of Đình Triệu before going in off the post.

Nonetheless, Vietnam would have the last say with another penalty awarded in the first minute of injury-time when Nguyễn Văn Vĩ pounced on a loose ball in the area and was poised to charge through before being bundled over by Adli, allowing Nguyễn Tiến Linh to make it 5-1 on aggregate.

It was a hefty margin of victory for Vietnam -- one that arguably did not provide an accurate representation of the fight that Singapore had given them.

Ultimately, they were one of the frontrunners even before the tournament started. Rightfully, there are marching on to the final.

But just as they had been in getting this far, Singapore were valiant even as they bowed out of the tournament.

The Lions can head home with their heads held high.

- Gabriel Tan

ASEAN CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP B PREVIEW: FAMILIAR FOES REUNITE BUT IS IT FINALLY INDONESIA'S TIME?

Indonesia and Vietnam will renew their rivalry at the upcoming 2024 ASEAN Championship, where both sides will be regarded among the favourites to advance from Group B. Minh Hoang/Getty Images

If the next fortnight of Group B action at the 2024 ASEAN Championship feels a bit familiar, that is because it will be.

It was not too long ago that Indonesia, Vietnam and Philippines were all locking horns in the second round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup -- which concluded back in June.

On that occasion, it was Indonesia who prevailed as they finished second in Group F to follow Iraq onto the next round, leaving the other two to turn their attentions to qualifying for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

As fate would have, the trio all found themselves -- along with Myanmar and Laos -- drawn in Group B of the upcoming ASEAN Championship. Once again, only two can advance to the semifinals.

Based on recent form, Indonesia will be the favourites and it is easy for their supporters to get excited at the prospect that their time has finally come.

After all, despite being one of the region's traditional powerhouses, Indonesia have never tasted ASEAN Championship glory and instead have been the perennial bridesmaids with six runners-up finishes previously.

Nonetheless, given the tournament does not take place during an official FIFA international window, Merah Putih will be without the majority of their Europe-based contingent that has played a significant role in their recent rise.

Despite the obvious immediate gratification of ending a 28-year trophy wait, Indonesia coach Shin Tae-Yong previously hinted that he will use the tournament to prepare for next year's Southeast Asian Games -- where they will be looking to successfully defend a gold medal that was also several painful decades in the making.

His squad selection suggests as much.

With Shin making the final cut to his now 24-man squad on Friday, a staggering 16 players selected are yet to make their international bow.

In fact, only four have more than ten caps to their names with Indonesia's average age for the tournament just 20 years.

Indonesia's last meeting with Philippines was a 2-0 win back in June that sealed their place in the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images

In a way, the youthful nature of the team mirrors that from the 2020 edition, when they first showed signs of promise following the appointment of Shin.

Asnawi Mangkualam and Pratama Arhan were both breakout stars from that campaign and will be the senior figures now despite their relative youth, while Marselino Ferdinan -- whose tournament bow came two years ago -- will undoubtedly be their main man in the attacking third.

Indonesia have plenty of raw potential yet, considering this is an experimental side, perhaps their wait to taste ASEAN Championship glory might go on for a while longer.

Maybe, then, it should be Vietnam who are viewed as the dominant force in Group B.

After finishing runners-up last time out, Vietnam look closest to full strength among all the competitors, especially with Thailand and Malaysia also missing key personnel in the other group.

Nguyễn Quang Hải, Nguyễn Văn Toàn, Nguyễn Tiến Linh and Đỗ Duy Mạnh are all seasoned campaigners that were part of the last Vietnam team to win the tournament in 2018.

For a period of time around then, the Vietnamese were well and truly Southeast Asia's top team.

Having since been overtaken by Thailand and now Indonesia, Vietnam will have no shortage of motivation to show they are not going anywhere over the next month.

Another team that will be eager to prove they are not on the decline are Philippines.

After reaching the last four in four out of five editions between 2010 and 2018, they have since failed to make it out of the group stage in their past two attempts.

Philippines are also the only ones that have a significant number of overseas-based players available, including Michael Kempter and Michael Baldisimo who play in the Swiss and American top flights respectively.

While Indonesia have emerged as the leading lights of Southeast Asia at the moment, the fact that they have opted to blood youth as well as the presence of a couple of hungry rivals means it is definitely up in the air as to whether their time to become champions is now.

- Gabriel Tan

INDONESIA CONTINUE TO RISE WITH PROGRESS IN WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS THE LATEST ACHIEVEMENT

Indonesia are through to the third and final round of Asian qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup for the first time after sealing a top-two finish in Group F with Tuesday's 2-0 victory over Philippines. BAY ISMOYO/AFP via Getty Images

 Another box ticked, another achievement unlocked.

As Indonesia continue to go from strength to strength under Shin Tae-Yong, their latest accomplishment is arguably their most significant yet.

On Tuesday, with a 2-0 win over Philippines, the Indonesians went through to the third and final round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

They have never before got this far, although they did feature at the 1938 World Cup as the Dutch East Indies -- nearing a century ago when qualification for football's biggest stage was a far-less drawn out process.

In fact, only two Asian teams were in the running back then and, even so, the Dutch East Indies qualified automatically after Japan withdrew.

This time, even just to get to the third round of the Asian qualifiers, Indonesia have had been made to work far more.

In fact, Indonesia were one of the lower-ranked nations that actually began their campaign in the first round last October -- where they comfortably cruised through with a 12-0 aggregate victory over Brunei Darussalam.

Come the second round, the luck of the draw did lend a helping hand to the Indonesians.

While the clear favourites in Group F were Iraq, the fact that Indonesia were also pitted against familiar foes in Vietnam and Philippines meant they always had a chance.

Matches among these Southeast Asian teams are often close contests and, while Vietnam was the region's leading light the last time out -- being the only ASEAN outfit to make the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup -- the gap has closed significantly.

In comparision, other Southeast Asian hopefuls like Thailand and Singapore always faced a tougher path to progress coming up against traditional powerhouses South Korea and China, while Myanmar were as good as out from the moment they were handed their fate of Japan, Syria and North Korea.

But, for Indonesia, progress was a realistic aim.

In the end, it boiled down to back-to-back ties against Vietnam in March, where Indonesia would prevail 1-0 and 3-0 respectively -- results which would ultimately go a long way in seeing them finish four points clear of their opponents in second place in the group.

Indonesia's quest to reach the next round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup gathered steam in March when they claimed back-to-back wins over Vietnam, which ultimately proved crucial in the final four-point lead over their opponents. Minh Hoang/Getty Images

Thus continues Indonesia's rise since Shin took over at the helm at the end of 2019.

Earlier this year, they returned to the AFC Asian Cup for the first time since 2007 and achieved a maiden knockout round appearance.

Back in April, the U-23 team - also under Shin - remarkably finished fourth in their AFC U-23 Asian Cup debut and then narrowly missed out on Olympic qualification after losing a intercontinental playoff against Guinea.

Last year, the U23s had already claimed the Southeast Asian Games gold medal for the first time since the men's football competition transitioned from a senior to age-group tournament.

Come the end of 2024, Indonesia could even have more joy as they look a genuine chance to win a maiden ASEAN Championship crown following the previous heartbreak of six runners-up finishes.

Of course, the biggest dream remains qualifying for the World Cup.

Indonesia will be under no illusions -- that goal, for now, is closer to being a dream rather than a distinct possibility.

They will face far tougher tests in the third round of Asian qualifiers. Even if there are now eight automatic spots on offer following the World Cup's expansion to 48 teams, a dozen or so teams loom as likelier contenders -- even if usual suspects like Japan, South Korea and Iran are removed from the equation.

Progress, however, can come in many forms. Not solely with reaching the next World Cup as the be all and end all.

Competitive displays against superior opposition could also be the yardstick.

The fact of the matter remains that, having already gotten this far and for all they have shown in recent times, Indonesia are -- well and truly -- firmly on the rise.

- Gabriel Tan 

CRUCIAL EVENING FOR ASEAN HOPEFULS WITH WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION PROGRESS STILL REALISTIC FOR SOME

Despite losing their last two outings against Oman, Malaysia still stand a chance of reaching the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup -- having previously won their opening two ties against Kyrgyz Republic and Chinese Taipei. How Foo Yeen/Getty Images

 As the second round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches its penultimate match day on Thursday, things are certainly going down to the wire -- especially for the competition's Southeast Asian hopefuls.

All seven of the region's representatives still have a chance of progressing to the next stage and keeping their World Cup dream alive, although some have more legitimate prospects than others.

Here, we take a look at where each of them stand and what they must do in order to advance.

MYANMAR

Bottom of Group B with just one point to their names, Myanmar are still mathematically capable of finishing inside the top two but, based on what they have served up so far, they are the least likely suspects from all of ASEAN's contenders.

The only time they have avoided defeated so far was a remarkable 1-1 draw against Syria, although the fact that they currently have a negative goal difference of 17 highlights the gulf in class between them and the rest of the group.

Myanmar have it all to do -- even on home soil -- against powerhouses Japan on Thursday, before finishing their campaign against a North Korea outfit that is also currently outside the qualification zone and in desperate need of points.

THAILAND

Finding themselves in what has proven to be one of the trickiest groups of the campaign, Thailand currently sit three points behind second-placed China -- who they visit on Thursday in what should be a pivotal tie.

It was a 2-1 loss in their previous clash last November -- a game in which the Thais could, and perhaps should, have won -- that ultimately sealed the fate of former coach Alexandre Polking, even if he was only dismissed after the following match.

Should Thailand be able to pull off an upset, it would put them in a promising position given they finish up against Group C's bottom side Singapore while the Chinese have to play away to heavily-fancied South Korea.

Both Thailand and Singapore can still qualify from Group D of the second round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup -- although the former stand a better chance as they sit just three points adrift of second-placed China. Suhaimi Abdullah/NurPhoto via Getty Images

SINGAPORE

Like Myanmar, Singapore are yet to be eliminated despite picking up just a solitary point thus far.

But with South Korea being their next immediate assignment on Thursday, the Lions could soon be turning their attentions elsewhere -- especially given they were beaten 5-0 by the same opposition in the reverse encounter.

Singapore then finish up against Thailand next Tuesday, which should offer plenty of incentive regardless of their qualification status -- given their regional rivalry and the fact that both sides have been drawn to meet again at the end of the year in the ASEAN Championship.

MALAYSIA

A campaign that started so bright has now hit a few bumps but Malaysia remain very much in with a shout of progressing to the third round of Asian World Cup qualifiers.

Despite losing their past two Group D games to Oman, Harimau Malaya will now finish up against Kyrgyz Republic and Chinese Taipei -- the two teams they beat previously when they opened their campaign in flawless fashion.

Three points off the pace at the moment, Malaysia will be heavy favourites in next Tuesday's home game against already-eliminated Chinese Taipei -- meaning they would take a huge step towards progressing should they be able to overcome Kyrgyz Republic on Thursday.

INDONESIA

In a Group F that boasts three Southeast Asian hopefuls, it is Indonesia who are currently in pole position to join the already-qualified Iraq in the next round.

Four points ahead of Vietnam in second place, the Indonesians do have a tough test on Thursday against the Iraqis but their recent displays against more-fancied opposition -- coupled with home advantage at the intimidating Gelora Bung Karno Stadium -- will see them believing in their chances of a shock result.

Even if they do lose, Indonesia can guarantee their spot in the next stage as long as they beat Philippines in their final second-round tie next week.

Indonesia head into the final two games of their second-round campaign in the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup knowing that a solitary win would be enough to see them finish second in Group F ahead of Vietnam and Philippines. EPA/LUONG THAI LINH

VIETNAM

For a side that did so well to reach the third round of Asian World Cup qualifiers last time out, Vietnam are now at real risk of missing out.

Thursday's home game against Philippines offers a real opportunity to close the gap between them and second-placed Indonesia to just one point -- and it is a game they are expected to pick up maximum points in.

Nonetheless, they face the toughest final-day assignment of the lot in an away trip to Iraq, meaning they might have just left themselves with too much to do at the end.

PHILIPPINES

Bottom of Group F with just one point picked up so far, Philippines -- along with Myanmar and Singapore -- look the least likely to march on.

They have however played both ties against leaders Iraq, meaning they face slightly less-daunting ties against Vietnam and Indonesia over the next six days.

Philippines will still head into those games as the underdogs but the familiarity with those two teams, as well as the additional regional rivals factor, means that anything is possible.

FAMILIAR FOES MEET AGAIN AS ASEAN CHAMPIONSHIP DELIVERS CAUSEWAY DERBY

The 2024 edition of the ASEAN Championship will once again see fierce rivals Malaysia and Singapore lock horns -- with the two having also met two years ago when the former emerged emphatic 4-1 victors. Wong Fok Loy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

 Some recent rivalries -- as well as those of a more historical nature -- will be renewed at the end of this year after Tuesday's draw for the 2024 ASEAN Championship pitted some familiar foes against one another.

All four semifinalists from 2022 will not have to wait as long to lock horns again with their last-four opponents from the previous edition -- after defending champions Thailand were drawn in Group A alongside Malaysia while Vietnam, runners-up from two years ago, are likely to be vying with Indonesia for top spot in Group B.

While not archenemies in the traditional or geographical sense, familiarity has certainly bred contempt with Vietnam and Indonesia sharing an increasingly fierce rivalry after several battles in recent times, both at senior and youth level.

Both teams are also currently in the same group in the second round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup along with Philippines, who have interestingly enough also been drawn in Group B of this year's ASEAN Championship along with Myanmar and Laos.

With two more fixtures to be played before the second round of Asian World Cup qualifying concludes, Philippines will still meet both Vietnam and Indonesia on that front next month -- on June 6 and 11 respectively -- as precursors of what will follow later this year.

But from a more historical perspective, few rivalries in Southeast Asian football come bigger than that of Malaysia and Singapore and the Causeway derby will once again take place in 2024 with the latter also drawn in Group A on Tuesday.

It means that both teams will meet in the group stage of the ASEAN Championship for a second consecutive tournament, with Malaysia claiming the bragging rights last time around following an emphatic 4-1 rout of their neighbours.

An unusually frequent amount of meetings across various tournaments -- including in the semifinals of the last ASEAN Championship -- has resulted in a growing rivalry between Indonesia and Vietnam. NHAC NGUYEN/AFP via Getty Images

Singapore and Thailand are also no strangers given they are both in the same group in the Asian World Cup qualifiers and will meet in that campaign once more on June 11 at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.

Rounding off Group A are Cambodia and the yet-to-be-determined winner of the qualification round, which will be either Brunei Darussalam or Timor-Leste.

Although the Timorese had qualified for back-to-back editions since the ASEAN Championship expanded to a ten-team tournament in 2018, they missed out in 2022 after being stunned in qualifying by Brunei -- who in turn returned to the region's premier international competition for the first time since its inception in 1996.

The Bruneians will host the first leg on Sept. 7 before the return encounter takes place seven days later in Timor-Leste.

Once the group-stage lineup is completed then, teams will have just over two months to finalise their preparations for the 2024 ASEAN Championship -- with the tournament slated to kick off on Nov. 23 and running through to Dec. 21.

2024 ASEAN CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW

Group A

Thailand

Malaysia

Singapore

Cambodia

Qualification winner (Brunei Darussalam or Timor-Leste)

Group B

Vietnam

Indonesia

Philippines

Myanmar

Laos

- Gabriel Tan

INDONESIA ISSUE HUGE STAT

With back-to-back wins against Vietnam over the past six days, Indonesia are now firmly on course to qualify for the third round of Asian qualiifers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. EPA/LUONG THAI LINH

 As most of Southeast Asia's representatives in the second round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup tasted defeat on Tuesday, one team not only managed to pick up a crucial win -- but also issued a statement of intent in doing so.

Indonesia, who only in the previous edition finished bottom of their group with a solitary point to their names from eight outings, are now firmly in contention to march on to the next stage after completing the double over regional rivals Vietnam in the span of six days.

It must be noted that, while their earlier 1-0 triumph last Thursday came on home soil, this most recent victory came in the hostile setting of Hanoi's My Dinh National Stadium -- and it was an even more emphatic display as the Indonesians won 3-0, a result which also led to Vietnam's immediate dismissal of coach Philippe Troussier.

Merah Putih were sent on their way via first-half goals by Jay Idzes and Ragnar Oratmangoen -- both born in Netherlands but of Indonesian heritage who only made their international bow this window -- before a late goal from rising star Ramadhan Sananta sealed the comprehensive win.

The result means Indonesia now sit comfortably in second place in Group F, five points behind runaway leaders Iraq but with a handy four-point buffer between them and Vietnam.

Even if the Indonesians do lose their next game against Iraq on June 6, their fate remains in their own hands and victory over bottom side Philippines in their campaign finale would be enough to seal progress to the next stage of qualifying for the World Cup, as well as an automatic berth at the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

This latest pair of victories only further illustrates the steady rise they have been making under South Korean coach Shin Tae-Yong, who -- when he was appointed at the start of 2020 -- was widely seen as taking over a nation brimming with potential but with an uncanny habit of underperforming when it mattered most.

Prior to the start of this year, Indonesia had gone six games without a win against Vietnam dating back to 2016 but have now claimed three wins on the trot over their ASEAN counterparts.

The first of those back in January was a crucial result that saw them reach the Asian Cup knockout round for the first time ever.

Apart from that achievement, Indonesia have also reached the last four of the AFF Championship twice, won a first Southeast Asian Games gold medal since the men's football competition became an age-group tournament, and made the last 16 of the Asian Games.

Indonesia still have more to do before they can claim to be the top dogs of the region, but they certainly look to have the best chance of reaching the next stage of Asian qualifiers -- especially after an overall disappointing evening for Southeast Asian football on Tuesday.

Thailand, who have been widely regarded as the best ASEAN team alongside Vietnam in recent times, fell 3-0 at home to South Korea, while Singapore were unable to build on an impressive 2-2 draw with China last week as they lost to the same opposition 4-1 -- even if they did produce another encouraging display under new coach Tsutomu Ogura.

Lying third and fourth in Group C respectively, both are out of the reckoning for World Cup qualification as thing stand.

Meanwhile, after a bright start that saw them beat both Kyrgyz Republic and Chinese Taipei, back-to-back 2-0 losses to Oman -- while hardly embarrassing results -- mean Malaysia have slid to third spot in Group D.

Elsewhere, a real gulf in class was evident as Philippines were beaten 5-0 by Iraq, while Myanmar suffered a 7-0 thrashing at the hands of Syria.

Again, both those heavy losses came against undeniably strong opposition but the margins of defeat do not paint a pretty picture for Southeast Asia.

On an evening to forget for the region, Indonesia deserve credit for the statement they delivered -- even if it did come against one of their own.

- Gabriel Tan 

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