Indonesia down 10-man Thailand on penalties to clinch FIFA ASEAN Cup title

It had been eight matches, and a span of ten years, since Indonesia had defeated Thailand. The Garuda found the best possible time to break that run, winning a dramatic, see-sawing, FIFA ASEAN Cup final in Jakarta that was eventually settled on penalties.

After a fireworks display that headlined the closing ceremony had drifted into the Jakarta evening, this pair of Southeast Asian giants set about determining the destination of the ASEAN Cup trophy.

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The pattern of play was set early on, with Thailand sitting back and waiting for chances in transition against an Indonesian side that were the more adventurous in possession.

Clear-cut chances were, though, hard to come by after an opening hour that saw Mitch Baker and Calvin Verdonk push efforts wide of the target. Thailand lost Suphanan Bureerat to a second-half injury before the match burst into life late in regulation time.

Firstly, Thai fullback Nicholas Mickelson collected two cautions within five minutes to leave the Changsuek a man down. The second of those saw Dean James swing in a free-kick from the edge of the box that, via a deflection from Thai substitute Iklas Sanron, flew past Saranon Anuin to hand the hosts an 84th-minute lead.

Three minutes later, Thailand sent the clash to extra time as a deep Seksan Ratree cross was superbly volleyed home at the back post by Iklas.

There, it was the ten men of Thailand that stunned the hosts, as Anan Yodsangwal picked Elkan Baggott’s pocket and released Peeradol Chamrasamee who swept past Emil Audero in the 111th minute.

Remarkably, there was more drama as Baggott – born in Bangkok – levelled things five minutes later with a shot that went in off the underside of the bar to send the final to penalties.

After captain Sarach Yooyen missed with Thailand’s third effort, it was Garuda goal guardian Audero who emerged as the match-winner, saving from Nattapong Sayriya to secure the title for Indonesia.