Thailand's men and women's five-a-side futsal teams kick off their SEA Game campaigns today when both sides take on Vietnam.
The matches will be played at Panasonic Sports Complex, Shah Alam with the women's team starting at 11am (Thai times) and the men at 2pm.
No futsal competitions were staged at the 2015 Singapore SEA Games.
Thailand and Vietnam had squared off in the men's final of the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar where the Thais has recorded an overwhelming 8-1 triumph.
In the women's title showdown four years ago, Thailand blanked Vietnam 5-0.
Both tournaments will use single-league format with teams claiming the top spot taking home the gold medals.
Thai men's team coach Jose Maria Mendez said: "We will be going all-out for a victory over Vietnam. Our only target for the SEA Games is to win the gold medal.
Coach of the Thai men's futsal team, right, with his Vietnamese counterpart. PR
"In fact, my goal for the Thai team is winning the Asian Championship in two two years' time. We have not been able to achieve that because of many factors.
"Iran are still very strong and we don't have enough players to challenge their domination.
"If we can win the gold medal here in the SEA Games, it will a big moral boost for our quest for the Asian title."
Vietnam coach Miguel Rodrigo, who has also worked with the Thai team in the past, admitted that his men will be the underdogs in today's match.
"This will be a tough game but we are ready to fight.
"I have been with this team for a short time only, but my players are ready to put in a 100% effort as this match is like the final."
Meanwhile, Thailand midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin is convinced that Thailand will retain the men's football title despite a lacklustre show in their 1-1 draw against Indonesia in the Group B opener on Tuesday.
Chanathip, who won gold medals at the past two SEA Games, is currently playing for the J-League team Consadole Sapporo.
The national team midfielder said: "I have played at two SEA Games and it was tough work for us on both occasions because every team wanted to win and become the champions. They were all very keen to beat Thailand as well.
"Playing away from home is never easy. The team have to work very hard for every win.
"If the team show spirit, I believe that they can win the title because these players have good skills but they would have to play as a cohesive unit.
"I will cheer the team from Japan to keep on fighting and become successful in the SEA Games."