SEA Games 29: Vietnam - Cambodia match also suspected of match-fixing

Negative suspicions are focusing on Laos and Cambodia in three matches involving these two teams.

Three matches in the group stage of the 29th SEA Games, including Malaysia 3-1 Laos, Vietnam 4-1 Cambodia, and Thailand 3-0 Cambodia, were put on red alert by betting analysts, according to The Straits Times (Malaysia).

Three betting monitoring companies, which specialize in analyzing bettors' behavior, simultaneously announced that many unusual actions "as if knowing the score in advance" occurred during the 90 minutes of the match.

Three matches at the 29th SEA Games are suspected of match-fixing.

Ivo Romano, a former senior advisor to UEFA, revealed to The Straits Times that a flood of money was placed on Malaysia scoring the third goal, when the score was 2-1 in favour of the 29th SEA Games hosts. This betting continued throughout the second half.

And Malaysia finally scored a third goal, thanks to Jafri Firdaus Chew in the second minute of stoppage time, helping Malaysia win 3-1. According to Romano, this was unnecessary, because at that time, the host of the 29th SEA Games was already assured of the top spot in the group, even if they ended the match in a draw.

"When the score was 2-1, everyone was betting on only 3-1. It was very unusual, as if the score was fixed," Romano shared.

The match between Vietnam and Cambodia on August 17 was also questioned. The Straits Times reported that 20 minutes before kick-off, they received information that at least four goals would be scored in the match.

The developments of the match afterwards made the above information even more "valuable". Only one goal was scored in the first half's extra time, but in the second half, the nets on both sides shook four more times, including a controversial penalty by Nen Sothearoth in the 83rd minute.

The amount of money bet on three matches, including Malaysia - Laos, Vietnam - Cambodia, Thailand - Cambodia reached one million dollars. However, there has been no official investigation by the Malaysian Olympic Committee to clarify this suspicion.

The Football Federations of Laos and Cambodia declined to comment on the matter, despite being contacted by The Straits Times.

According to VNE