CampuchiaViolence escalated in the 32nd SEA Games final between Indonesia and Thailand, causing the referee to draw seven red cards and 12 yellow cards, on the evening of May 16th at the Olympic Stadium.
Jonathan Khemdee (number 4, green) received a red card in extra time. Image: Duc Dong
The source of the scuffle came from Thailand's outrageous goal celebration, after Yotsakon equalized 2-2 in the final seconds of injury time. The Thai assistant coach, the substitutes and a few other members of the coaching staff ran towards Indonesia to celebrate the provocative goal. This action was to retaliate against Indonesia, when the Van Dao team celebrated the victory a minute earlier. In fact, Indonesia was overjoyed because the referee blew the whistle for a free kick, not the final whistle.
Witnessing the Thai provocation, the Indonesian members outside the yard could not sit still. The 18th reserve player Titan Agung rushed to provoke the Thai assistant coach, fueling the violence. These two people then have to receive a direct red card.
Titan (No. 18, red) was kicked out after fighting with the assistant coach of Thailand. Image: Lam Tho
Things were tense again when Indonesia scored to make it 3-2 at the beginning of extra time. Indonesia retaliates, celebrates provoking Thailand. Both sides rushed to punch each other. After the security officers intervened and de-escalated the situation, The referee draws three more red cards. One of them is for the assistant coach of Thailand, who joined the media staff on the Indonesian side. The technical director of the Van Dao team was also punched, bleeding in the mouth and fell down.
The referee also disqualified defender Komang from the Indonesian side and goalkeeper Soponwit (Thailand), because these two players punched each other. Many members of the two teams escaped the penalty, when the referee could not observe all the developments of the scuffle.
Komang (number 4, red) and goalkeeper Soponwit (yellow) were sent off after a martial arts match. Image: Hieu Luong
When the two teams play again, Thailand and Indonesia both have 10 people on the field. Thailand's army decreased to 9 men, when Jonathan Khemdee gets a second yellow card in the 101st minute, after a foul to prevent Indonesia from counter-attacking.
Playing without people, Thailand continued to concede and was led 2-4. The players in blue were exhausted and could not keep up with the speed of their opponents. Striker Teerasak was sent off at 118, after a foul on Ananda – a substitute for the Indonesian side.
The final was 5-2 in favor of Indonesia, seeing a total of seven red cards and 12 yellow cards. Thailand finished the match with only eight men, and Indonesia with 10 men. This is the final with the most red cards in the history of the SEA Games.
Main developments in Indonesia 5-2 Thailand match.
Vy Anh
