(Photo FAT/AFC)
Indonesia emerged as the inaugural champions of the FIFA ASEAN Cup after a titanic tussle with Thailand, the hosts edging it 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out after the final ended 2-2.
Thailand fought back from going a man down and a goal behind to force extra-time but Sarach Yooyen’s penalty hit the post before Emil Audero saved Nattapong Sariya’s defining spot-kick to hand John Herdman’s side the trophy.
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 full-back 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 10 men of Thailand that stunned the hosts, as Anan Yodsangwal picked Elkan Baggott’s pocket and released Peeradol Chamrasamee who swept past Emil 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 missed with Thailand’s third effort, it was Garuda goalkeeper Emil who emerged as the match-winner, saving from Nattapong to secure the title for Indonesia.
Malaysia 1-0 Vietnam
Malaysia defeated Vietnam 1-0 in the bronze playoff to end a 12-year wait for victory against their Southeast Asian rivals.
A tight first half saw Malaysia going close just before the break, with Bergson forcing Le Giang Patrik into a pair of smart saves.
Struggling with injury, Bergson made way for Fergus Tierney on the hour, and barely a minute later, the Cypriot-based forward made the breakthrough.
Collecting the ball inside the D, the 23-year-old lasered a shot through the legs of Bui Hoang Viet Anh and past a flat-footed Le Giang for his second international goal.
Vietnam lost Ngo Dang Khoa to injury shortly after and then had a penalty chalked off after a VAR review as Malaysia withstood some late pressure to finish the inaugural edition with their impressive defensive record intact and bronze medals in their keeping.
