Arya News - The Garuda men claimed the title of the very first FIFA ASEAN Cup on Monday night in a rousing penalty shootout during extra time, witnessed in person by the President and the PSSI head at GBK Stadium in Central Jakarta.
JAKARTA – The men’s national soccer team won the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup on Monday night after beating Thailand in a penalty shootout, earning its first international trophy under head coach John Herdman.
Indonesia beat Thailand 4-2 in the shootout during extra time after tying 2-2 in the final, held on Oct. 5 in the main Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium at the sprawling sports complex in Central Jakarta.
No goals were scored until the 84th minute, when Indonesian defender Dean James’ free kick, taken from the edge of the box, sent the ball toward Thai substitute Iklas Sanron, who deflected it into the goal to give Garuda a 1-0 lead.
Iklas had replaced Thai defender Nicholas Mickelson, who was sent off following a second yellow card after tackling Garuda’s Ole Romeny just outside the 18-yard box.
Three minutes after Dean’s goal, Thailand sent the final into extra time after Iklas volleyed Seksan Ratree’s cross past Indonesian goalkeeper Emil Audero to the back post.
Thailand’s 10-man team stunned the host in front of more than 60,000 home supporters at GBK Stadium in the 111th minute, when Thai midfielder Peeradol Chamrasamee swept past Emil.
Five minutes later, the Garuda team pushed the final into a penalty shootout after defender Elkan Baggott leveled the score with a shot that went in off the underside of the bar.
During the shootout, Thai captain Sarach Yooyen missed the team’s third effort, and then Emil saved the next shot by Nattapong Sayriya to secure the inaugural ASEAN Cup title for Indonesia.
President Prabowo Subianto watched the final at the stadium, along with Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir, who also heads the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI), and FIFA president Gianni Infantino as well as other officials. Prabowo and Infantino were also present during the medal ceremony.
The victory was “a proud moment for Indonesia”, Herdman said after the match. He also admitted it was a hard-fought win, noting that tournament finals were usually decided by individual moments and grit.
The English coach said he was proud of all players and staff for what they had given to each other and for the country.
“No matter how hard it would be or how long it was going to take, the only thing that mattered was to lift a trophy for you guys, for this country and to make you guys proud,” Herdman told a live streamed press conference.
Prabowo said in a statement that he was proud and grateful for the national team’s fight in the final.
The first edition of the FIFA ASEAN Cup was jointly hosted in Indonesia and Hong Kong, China. Seven national teams in addition to host Garuda took part in the matches in Indonesia: Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
The tournament was launched to provide national teams with “meaningful competitive opportunities” aimed at “strengthen [soccer] ties across Southeast Asia”, Infantino said in a statement in September.