Yesterday’s South East Asia (SEA) Games football final between Indonesia and Thailand took a violent turn when Thailand scored a last-minute goal, resulting in a brawl. However, Indonesia emerged victorious with a 5-2 win after scoring three more goals in extra time.
This win marked Indonesia’s first SEA Games men’s football medal in 32 years. The intense match occurred on a hot evening in Phnom Penh, and Indonesia’s fears came true when Thailand’s substitute player Yotsakorn Burapha scored the equalizer in the 90th minute, tying the score at 2-2.
During the second minute of extra time, Indonesia retaliated and scored a goal due to a mistake made by Thai defender Somchai Thongcham. Immediately after, a massive fight erupted, with coaches from both teams rushing onto the field to encourage the violence. A swarm of security personnel ran onto the pitch to try to end the brawl.
Five red cards were issued by the referee for instigating the fight. Thailand’s goalkeeper Soponvit was given one for running the length of the pitch to punch, while Indonesian defender Komang Trisanda and three coaches from both teams were also penalized.
After the situation calmed down, extra time resumed, but Thai-Danish player Jonathan Khemdee was shown a yellow card in the 101st minute, leaving only nine players on the field to defend Thailand’s position.
Indonesia’s Fajar Fathur Rahman scored the team’s fourth goal from the edge of the box, with more goals to come. In the 118th minute, striker Teerasak was given a second yellow card, leaving Thailand with only eight players on the field.
As the match came to an end, Beckham Putra of Indonesia scored the final goal, ending their 32-year drought of winning a medal in men’s football at the SEA Games. Despite the lack of sportsmanship shown by some of the players, Indonesian head coach Indra Syafri was quick to move on and focus on their victory.
