Indonesia make history as first-ever FIFA ASEAN Cup champions
Indonesia completed a remarkable FIFA ASEAN Cup campaign by beating Thailand on penalties to become the competition’s first-ever champions after a dramatic run that included a last-gasp escape against Bangladesh.
Indonesia have made history by becoming the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup champions after defeating Thailand on penalties in a dramatic final in Jakarta.
The Garuda prevailed 4-2 in the shootout after an extraordinary 2-2 draw through 120 minutes, ending a decade-long wait for victory over Thailand and delivering the hosts the first major title of the new FIFA-backed regional competition.
A remarkable route to the final
Indonesia’s road to the final was anything but straightforward.
The defining moment came in their final Group A match against Bangladesh, when the hosts knew simply winning might not be enough to finish above Malaysia.
Malaysia were simultaneously beating Singapore 6-0, leaving Indonesia needing to keep scoring at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
Indonesia eventually won 9-2, but the decisive drama came in stoppage time. After Bangladesh pulled one back to make it 7-2, Kevin Diks and Mitchell Baker scored two late goals to take Indonesia to nine and move them above Malaysia on goals scored.
Both teams finished on seven points with the same goal difference, but Indonesia’s superior goals tally sent them into the final.
Baker was particularly outstanding, scoring five times in the extraordinary victory.
Thailand pushed them to the limit
The final was another test of Indonesia’s character.
Thailand were reduced to 10 men after Nicholas Mickelson received a second yellow card, and Indonesia appeared to have taken control when Dean James’ free-kick deflected in to give the hosts an 84th-minute lead.
Thailand responded almost immediately through Iklas Sanron, forcing extra time.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Thailand then stunned the home crowd when Peeradol Chamratsamee put them ahead in the 111th minute.But Indonesia refused to fold.
Elkan Baggott restored parity five minutes later, sending the final to penalties.
Audero delivers historic glory
Indonesia goalkeeper Emil Audero then became the hero in the final that will be remembered for sometime.
After Thailand captain Sarach Yooyen missed his penalty, Audero saved Nattapong Sayriya’s effort to seal a 4-2 shootout victory.
The triumph caps one of the most dramatic campaigns in the short history of the FIFA ASEAN Cup.
From needing two stoppage-time goals just to escape the group to surviving a rollercoaster final against Thailand, Indonesia repeatedly found a way when the pressure was greatest.
Now, they have something even more significant as their name proudly appears on the trophy as the first-ever FIFA ASEAN Cup champions.
