The football tournament at the 1979 SEA Games was held from 22 to 30 September in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Brunei and the Philippines did not enter. Kampuchea (then name for Cambodia), Laos and Vietnam did not participate at the Southeast Asian Games.
The competition was played in a round robin format with the five participating teams; first and second place would then play off for the gold medal.
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As Indonesia and Thailand were level on points and goals, a play-off for second place (and the right to face Malaysia in the gold medal match) was required.