Indonesia coach: 'Thailand made the game crazy'
"The referee announced that there were seven minutes of injury time, so when this time expired, we thought the game was over, so we should jump on the field to celebrate, not intend to cause trouble with anyone. Unexpectedly, the referee gave up to 11 minutes to make up. . When there was a 2-2 equalizer, Thailand rushed to our place to provoke, making the game crazy," coach Indra Sjafri told MetaSports after the match on the Olympic field. "When there was a third goal, my assistants and players celebrated. For me, such actions of the two teams are unacceptable."
At the end of the second half, while leading 2-1, the Indonesian coaching staff heard the referee's whistle. Thinking that time was up, they rushed into the yard to hug and celebrate. However, it was a situation that blew a penalty for Thailand. As the game continued, Thailand scored a 2-2 equalizer thanks to Yotsakon Burapha. The players and the coaching staff of the Golden Temple team immediately ran to the Indonesian technical area to celebrate provocatively, leading to a scuffle that made security forces and the organizers have to intervene.
In extra time, after raising the score to 3-2, Indonesia turned to Thailand to celebrate. A second fight broke out, causing the game to be interrupted for several minutes. A series of red cards were drawn at the same time. After order was restored, Indonesia scored more goals to win the final 5-2, winning the first SEA Games gold medal in 32 years.
Sjafri said, after the scuffle, called all the coaching staff and players back to talk, asking them to focus. He said: "I told them to be restrained. The important thing is to play better to win, not to fight. As a result, we won because my players then focused on playing, and Thai Lan is not".
Mr Sjafri also revealed after the match "peace was restored" when the two teams met and apologized to each other.
Indonesia and Thailand have been the most played matches at the SEA Games since 2001, when they met 11 matches before the final yesterday. In which, Indonesia won two, drew one and lost three matches in the group stage. In the semi-finals or final, Indonesia lost all five matches against this opponent, scoring twice and conceding 12 times.
The history of SEA Games men's football finals also witnessed the sadness of Indonesia, when all three matches were lost. Therefore, according to coach Sjafri, this victory will help Indonesian football rise.
Sjafri once lost to Vietnam by coach Park Hang-seo in the group stage and final of the SEA Games 2019. But at the 32nd SEA Games, he "repaid" when he and his students defeated Vietnam 3-2 in the semi-finals, when the team won led by new coach Philippe Troussier. When asked to compare Vietnam in two different coach dynasties, Mr. Sjafri delicately said: "I never compare like that. That's not allowed. I just know that every team wins sometimes. , when losing".
