Indonesian newspaper: 'Thai goalkeeper like a wushu fighter'

After striker Irfan Jauhari raised the score to 3-2 for Indonesia at the beginning of extra time, the players and the coaching staff of the two teams got into a scuffle. The goalkeeper Soponwit ran to the hot spot from afar and jumped up to punch Komang while the central defender was not paying attention. Right at the moment Soponwit struck, Komang spotted and jumped, causing both of them to fall. The two players then stood up and punched each other in the face right in front of the referee.

"Is Soponwit a football goalkeeper or a wushu fighter?", asked Bola. "He jumped up to hit Komang but fell to the ground. His actions look like Bruce Lee's."

Soponwit attacked Komang in retaliation for the Indonesian defender rushing to sneak into the head of a Thai substitute wearing an orange bib shirt just seconds before. When this player could not react, Soponwit rushed to hit Komang.

This is just one of many developments in the melee between the two teams in the match. Soponwit and Komang both received red cards and left the field. Including the penalty for the members of the coaching staff of the two teams, the Omani referee had to show 9 red cards and 17 yellow cards. Thailand ended the match with only seven people on the field, including an injured player who could not continue.

Soponwit's Instagram account was hacked by the Indonesians after the match, prompting him to lock his account. Midfielder Jonathan Khemdee also made the Indonesians "itchy" with the act of throwing a silver medal into the stands. Although not participating in the melee, midfielder Songchai Thongcham was also mocked on social networks, for provoking Indonesian fans not to come to the field before the match.

The conflict between the two teams started at the end of the first half when Indonesia raised the score to 2-0 from a situation where the Thai player thought the opponent returned the ball. After equalizing 2-2 at the end of the second half, the Thai players and coaching staff ran towards Indonesia to provoke and scuffle. When leading 3-2 at the beginning of extra time, Indonesia ran to provoke again leading to a second brawl. "Thailand provoked Indonesia first, so when we respond, why are they angry," Bola added.

Indonesia won 5-2 in this match and won the first SEA Games men's football gold medal since 1991. And Thailand lost the gold medal in the last three times, but they will be the host in the next period in December 2025. .