Winning Thailand, Indonesia entered the final against Vietnam
*Score: Chukid 27 - Sroyer 10, Ferarri 23, Natcha own goal 45
Thailand continues to have to hold a grudge against Indonesia, after losing the 32nd SEA Games final in May 2023. This time with the home field advantage in the Southeast Asian U23 semi-final, Ithsara Sritharo's teachers and students still could not collect Indonesian debt. And nothing changed when the two teams continued to fight hard, at times violently, although this time there was no fight.
Before the match, the Vice President of the Thai Football Federation reminded the host player to focus on playing the ball, to avoid losing his temper leading to a fight. However, the fierce kick from Indonesia seems to make Thailand falter. After striker Kelly Sroyer opened the scoring for Indonesia in the 10th minute, the host seemed to lose his temper and fell into the fierce play of his opponent.
When he saw Sroyer covering the ball in the 18th minute, two Thai players rushed in from the front and back. Ithsara's army lost their temper leading to the second goal in the 23rd minute, when defender Robi Darwis threw a strong throw into the penalty area for center-back Ferarri to jump high to head the ball and hit the ground into the far corner of the net.
Indonesia has no defender Pratama Arhan in this tournament, but Darwis emerges as an equally fearsome throw-in. Many times the away team made the home defense switch from the powerful throws of Darwis. Coach Hoang Anh Tuan sitting in the stands of Rayong Stadium watching this match, perhaps soon will have to find a way to deal with Indonesia's attack when goalkeeper Quan Van Chuan often makes mistakes in the high balls.
Indonesia played better than Thailand but there were times when they were confused, especially after striker Chukid Wanpraphao's header from a corner equaled a goal for the home side in the 27th minute. Seeing that the ball game was too fast, coach Shin. Tae-yong went to the touchline and called on the players to slow down the tempo of the game. The impact of the Korean coach had an effect, when Indonesia gradually regained the game to score a 3-1 victory in the first half, with an own goal by defender Natcha Promsomboon.
After the ball entered the net, an Indonesian player shot another shot into the net and made the opponent's face hot. The two sides rushed into a scuffle, but referee Hiroki Kasahara promptly intervened. The Japanese referee intervened quickly in hot spots, but did not give many yellow cards compared to the number of dangerous fouls of the two teams.
The second half did not have any more goals, but Thailand played more violently and quickly lost strength. In the 57th minute, the two home players ran in a row to intercept Indonesia's counterattack, but the away team's players avoided it. Towards the end of the game, midfielder Nathathop Kaewklang kicked the ball from behind to Dwi Septiawan's calf and was warned.
Witnessing the disappointing performance of the home team, many groups of Thai spectators left in the 80th minute. Under the field, Indonesia could win more if striker Muhammad Sananta finished effectively. But the score of 3-1 was enough for Shin's teachers and students to assert their strength before reaching the final against Vietnam.
Thailand did not collect the debt from Indonesia, and that opportunity is now given to Vietnam after the team lost to Indonesia in the second half despite playing better than people in the last SEA Games semi-finals. Hoang Anh Tuan's army will play the final match at 8pm on Saturday, August 26, while Thailand will compete for third place with Malaysia four hours earlier.
Thailand: Siriwat - Thanison, Songchai, Kittichai, Warinthon, Kritsada - Kasidit, Natcha - Chukid, Phanthamit, Nethithorn.
Indonesia: Ernando - Frengky, Haykal, Ferarri, Dewa - Rifky, Robi, Beckham, Fikri - Sananta, Kelly.
