Indonesia Wins Gold Medal at SEA Games After Defeat Thailand

VIVA – After a long 32-year wait, the Indonesian football team successfully achieves a gold medal at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games. The match of Indonesia vs Thailand was held at National Stadium, Phnom Penh on Wednesday.

Indra Sjafri's squad won with a score of 5-2. The game was dramatic from the start.

From the first half, the match was fierce. Both teams immediately applied open play and made several opportunities. However, the final settlement is still not optimal.

Indonesia U-22 managed to open the scoring when the game entered the 21st minute. A long throw-in was made by Alfeandra Dewangga, then Ramadhan Sananta followed up with a header.

The ball leads to the goal. Thailand player Songchai Thongcham tried to intercept. The ball hit his thigh but instead went into his own team's goal.

Thailand responded to the Indonesian goal by increasing the intensity of the attack. They tried to keep trying, but they could still blocked by Indonesia's solid defense.

In the final minute of the first half, Indonesia was able to add a goal. Starting from a long pass from the defense, Ramadhan Sananta managed to steal the ball and fired a shot from outside the penalty box.

The ball bounced past Thailand goalkeeper Soponwit Rakyart and into the net. Indonesia's 2-0 lead was the final result of the first half of the 2023 SEA Games final.

Starting the second half, both teams attacked each other with fast intensity. Thailand managed to catch up with Indonesia in the 65th minute. Anan Yodsangwal's header following a corner kick made it 1-2.

This situation made Thailand eager to press the Indonesian defense. Many times they made dangerous threats, but they could still be countered by the Indonesian team.

In the final minute, Thailand made Indonesia bite the bullet. In the 90+8 minute, Yotsakon Burapha scored and made it 2-2. The match had to be continued to the extra round.

Not even a minute into the extra round, Indonesia managed to score the third goal against Thailand through Irfan Jauhari. On the edge of the field, a commotion broke out to the point of fisticuffs from players and officials.

Security forces had to come down to the edge of the field to break up. After the situation was conducive, the referee gave red cards to Indonesian defender Komang Teguh and Thai goalkeeper Soponwit Rakyart.

Thailand found itself in an even more difficult situation during the extra period. Because their defender, Jonathan Khemdee was also sent off by the referee for a foul.

In the second half of the extra half, Indonesia managed to increase their lead to 4-2. It was Fajar Fathur Rachman who scored in the 107th minute.

In the 118th minute, Thailand lost another player due to a red card, namely Teerasak Poeiphimai. A situation that was increasingly favorable for Indonesia, and was taken advantage of with Beckham Putra's goal in the 120th minute.

This is the third SEA Games gold medal in football for Indonesia. Previously obtained in 1987 and 1991.

Line-up players

Indonesia U-22: Ernando Ari; Rizky Ridho, Bagas Kaffa, Komang Teguh, Fajar Fathur Rachman, Marselino Ferdinan, Haykal Alhafiz (Beckham Putra 106'), Muhammad Taufany, Alfeandra Dewangga (Muhammad Ferarri 70'), Witan Sulaeman (Rio Fahmi 90+4'), Ramadhan Sananta (Irfan Jauhari 55').

Thailand U-22: Soponwit Rakyart; Airfan Doloh (Apisit Saenseekhammuan 72'), Bukkore Lemdee (Phongsakon Trisat 30'), Chatmongkol Rueangthanarot, Jonathan Khemdee, Songchai Thongcham, Channarong Promsrikaew, Teerasak Poeiphimai, Achitpol Keereerom (Anan Yodsangwal 30'), Settasit Suvannaseat (Yotsakon Burapha 87'), Chayapipat Supunpasuch.