By Jonas Terrado
Games Monday
(Rizal Memorial Football Stadium)
4 p.m. – Malaysia vs. Myanmar (Men’s Group A)
8 p.m. – Philippines vs. Cambodia (Men’s Group A)
(Biñan Stadium, Laguna)
2 p.m. – Vietnam vs Brunei
The men’s football competitions of the 30th Southeast Asian Games gets underway amid of cloud of controversy surrounding problems encountered by visiting teams upon their arrival over the weekend.
Stephan Schrock, left, and Amani Aguinaldo will reinforce the national U-22 squad for the SEA Games. (Photo from PFF/AFF Suzuki Cup)
Reinforced by veterans Stephan Schrock and Amani Aguinaldo, the national U-22 team takes on Cambodia at 8 p.m. while Malaysia faces Myanmar in the 4 p.m. opener at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Vietnam battles Brunei in the other match also slated 4 p.m. at the Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna.
Most of the discussion during Sunday’s pre-tournament press conference at the Century Park Hotel centered on the issues dealt by defending champion Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Timor-Leste.
SEA Games football coaches, from left, Felix Dalmas of Cambodia, Velizar Popov (Myanmar), Goran Milojevic (Philippines), Ong Kim Swee (Malaysia) and Fabiano Flora (East Timor) field questions during a press conference at Century Park Hotel in Manila Sunday. (MB Photo / Jansen Romero)
PHISGOC did came out with a statement prior to the presser acknowledging the inconvenience, though insisting that it made efforts to smooth things out.
“We sincerely apologize to our athlete guests from Timor-Leste, Myanmar and Cambodia for the inconvenience caused to them by the confusion regarding their transportation and hotel arrangements,” PHISGOC said in a statement.
“While PHISGOC strives to ensure proper coordination of the arrival details, airport welcome and transportation provisions of all international teams to their respective assigned hotels, we acknowledge our shortcomings in this particular incident and vow to do better,” the statement added.
Myanmar was forced to wait for hours before mini-buses were able to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Timor-Leste had the same issues while being brought to the wrong hotel.
Cambodia had perhaps the worst ordeal as the players had to stay at a conference room while waiting for their hotel accommodations.
“I hope in the future, it does not happen again,” said Timor-Leste coach Fabiano Flora.
READ MORE: SEAG football teams encounter problems upon arrival
While also disappointed with the ordeal, Cambodia coach Felix Dalmas said the only things he and his players and can do to make adjust.
“It wasn’t ideal to wait for maybe eight or nine hours to get a hotel room, but things happen,” said Dalmas. “We adjust and evolve and that is what our bodies are working so we’re good.”
Myanmar mentor Felix Dalmas, on the other hand, would rather focus on the upcoming competition.
“I think it’s not good image for the tournament if we start to talk in the press conference about this,” said Myanmar coach Velizar Popov, adding that he doesn’t want to make any excuses.
READ MORE: SEA Games: Phisgoc apologizes for arrival chaos
Meanwhile, two more events will start in different venues.
Floorball action is set at the College of Human Kinetics Gym of the University of the Philippines while netball takes place at the City of Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.
Second day action of polo is set at the Inigo Zobel Facility in Calatagan, Batangas.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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