Dramatically defeating U22 Thailand, U22 Indonesia won the gold medal in men's football at SEA Games 32

(CTO) - On the evening of May 16, U22 Indonesia and U22 Thailand played an exciting match in the final match of men's football at the 32nd SEA Games. With a 5-2 victory, U22 Indonesia won the first SEA Games gold medal after 32 years of waiting.

Sananta celebrates the opening goal. Photo: VNN

U22 Indonesia entered the match with greater determination, rushing forward to attack and put pressure right on the Thai U22 field. The players from the archipelago deployed many moves down the flank, putting the "War Elephants" goal in a state of alarm.

However, U22 Thailand was the team that created the first dangerous move, forcing goalkeeper Emando to rush out of the penalty area to block Teerasak's run, receiving a yellow card.

The two teams played at high speed, but the match was somewhat in favor of U22 Indonesia when midfielders Marselino, Witan, and Dewanga played more energetically and determinedly.

In the 20th minute, Dewanga threw a powerful ball into the penalty area, striker Sananta jumped high to head the ball, the ball hit defender Songchai's thigh and went into the net. U22 Indonesia opened the score of the match.

With the goal, U22 Indonesia played more confidently, while U22 Thailand also tried to push up their attacking formation. The match was tense with many dangerous shots towards each other's goal.

As the match moved towards the end of the first half, a surprise happened. In the 45+5 minute, from a long kick-off by goalkeeper Ernando, striker Sananta took full advantage of the hesitation of centre-back Khemdee to kick the ball over the head of the U22 Thailand goalkeeper to double the gap.

In the second half, U22 Thailand used all their strength to attack, putting significant pressure on the opponent's field. In the 65th minute, from a corner kick, Anan jumped high to head the ball to equalize 1-2 for U22 Thailand. U22 Indonesia strengthened their defense and played counter-attacks, creating several situations that could have widened the gap, but failed to take advantage.

When the match was only a matter of seconds left and the U22 Indonesia coaching staff was celebrating, from a free kick in the middle of the field, the ball reached striker Yotsakon's feet to score a valuable goal to equalize the score 2-2 for U22 Thailand.

The match went into extra time. In the 91st minute, taking advantage of a mistake by defender Songchai, striker Irfan lobbed the ball over goalkeeper Soponwit, raising the score to 3-2.

The match had to be postponed for more than 10 minutes when the coaching staff and players of both teams outside and inside the field fought each other. The referee gave red cards to goalkeeper Soponwit of Thailand U22 and midfielder Komang of Indonesia U22 along with the coaching staff members of both teams who participated in the fight. In the 100th minute, midfielder Khemdee received a second yellow card and left the field, leaving Thailand U22 with 9 players on the field.

U22 Indonesia accelerated their attack, after many missed opportunities, in the 108th minute, Fajar scored to make it 4-2. In the 117th minute, Teerasak received a second yellow card, leaving U22 Thailand with 8 players on the field.

In the 119th minute, Irfan sealed the 5-2 victory for U22 Indonesia, with a close-range shot that left the Thai players helpless.

Winning a dramatic and tense match, U22 Indonesia won the 32nd SEA Games championship.