Indonesia could face a bitter elimination if Thailand 'joins hands' with Malaysia.

The women's futsal match between Thailand and Malaysia could create a scenario leading to Indonesia's elimination right from the group stage of the 2026 Southeast Asian championship.

2026 Southeast Asian Women's Futsal Championship An intriguing scenario is emerging: Will the Thai and Malaysian teams "join hands" to eliminate Indonesia in the group stage? As the situation in Group A becomes clearer, this possibility is not without basis when considering the teams' points calculations and interests.

Currently, Thailand is the only team in Group A that has officially secured a spot in the semi-finals. Despite having only 3 points from one match, because the group has only three teams and Indonesia has played two matches for just 1 point, the host is guaranteed to finish above Indonesia, as the top two teams in the group advance. This makes the final match between Thailand and Malaysia decisive for the top spot.

The match, taking place at 6:30 PM tonight, will determine the group winner. Thailand only needs a draw to maintain the top position. If they lose, Malaysia will rise to first place. Notably, if Thailand defeats Malaysia by a margin of three goals or more, Malaysia risks falling to the bottom of the group, and Indonesia would surprisingly advance due to tie-breakers.

Therefore, in theory, a narrow victory for Thailand or even a draw is a scenario beneficial to both the host and Malaysia. In that case, both teams advance, and Indonesia is officially eliminated. Thailand has a reason not to exert full strength to save players for the semi-finals, while Malaysia also only needs a safe result to preserve its position in the top two.

Meanwhile, in Group B, the situation is also becoming clearer. Australia temporarily leads with 6 points and a +7 goal difference, while the Vietnamese women's futsal team has 3 points and a 0 goal difference. In the final round, Vietnam faces Myanmar, and Australia clashes with the Philippines.

Barring any major surprises, Australia is highly likely to retain the top spot, and Vietnam will place second in the group. In that case, the semi-finals could witness a showdown between Vietnam and Thailand. But before considering that prospect, all eyes will be focused on the Thailand vs. Malaysia match, where the biggest question remains: will there be a "joining of hands" that forces Indonesia to bow out?