On Tuesday, the 16th of May, the 32nd Southeast Asian Games men’s football final came to an unexpected conclusion with Indonesia’s victory against Thailand 5-2. Nobody could have predicted the outcome of the match between Thailand and Indonesia, marked by emotion, drama, red cards, and even conflict that continued into extra time. Indonesia prevailed to earn their first men’s football gold at the SEA Games in 32 years.
Indonesia pressed forward in the opening minutes, instantly exerting pressure on Thailand and creating many opportunities. Their efforts were ultimately rewarded in the 21st minute when Ramadhan Sananta’s reverse header found the back of the net after deflecting off Thailand’s Songchai.
Thailand made two early substitutions to regain control. Still, before they could do anything, Sananta of Indonesia increased the advantage with a shot over the goalkeeper’s head in the last second of the first half.
Thailand made a few additional adjustments to their offensive line in the second half, while Indonesia’s defence remained sturdy. Indonesia was ready to commit fouls far from the goal to halt Thailand’s attacks. Still, they could only do so until Anan Yodsangwal’s thunderous header in the 65th minute narrowed the difference.
The referee added the seven-minute stoppage time in the second half, making it the longest seven minutes in Indonesian history. Indonesia’s men’s football manager, Indra Sjafri along with the players applauded and celebrated when the referee blew the whistle after the seventh minute of the stoppage time, but it wasn’t the last. He was handing Thailand a free kick.
The moment Thailand scored the equaliser in the dying seconds was what Indonesia feared the most. Yotsakorn Burapha, who had just came in, made a great first touch and then executed a precise finish to beat goalkeeper Ernando.
The game entered the extra time when the second half reached its tenth additional minute. The fact that Indonesia scored two minutes in the first half of the extra time suggests that they maintained their battling spirit. Irfan Jauhari chipped the ball over goalkeeper Soponwit after Thailand’s defender Somchai Thongcham made a costly error.
This goal caused a confrontation between players and the coaching staff, leading to a chaotic scene on the field.
Jonathan Khemdee received his second yellow card and was ejected from the field in the 101st minute, leaving both teams with 10 men.
Fajar’s tremendous shot from the edge of the box gave Indonesia their fourth goal in the second half of the extra time, preventing Thailand, who had nine worn-out players on the field, from mounting a comeback.
Thailand’s squad went down to eight men in the 118th minute when striker Teerasak was given his second yellow card.
Beckham Putra’s goal gave Indonesia a 5-2 victory and ended their 32-year drought of a gold medal for the men’s football team at the SEA Games.
Interested about this topic? Check out our other articles from Social Expat:
