Different Fate Of 2 Goalkeepers Of The 2020 AFF Cup Final: Nadeo Argawinata Bombarded, Siwarak Tedsungnoen Sits Comfortable And Is Replaced Without Injury

JAKARTA - There was an unusual scene in the first leg of the 2020 AFF Cup final between Indonesia vs Thailand which took place on Wednesday night. The war elephant team goalkeeper was replaced in the middle of the match even though he was not injured.

Siwarak Tedsungnoen was replaced by Kawin Thamsatchanan in the 73rd minute, precisely after Thailand had a 3-0 lead over Indonesia. A goalkeeper substitution without this injury factor is very rare in official football tournaments.

Except in Europe, in this case Chelsea have changed goalkeepers due to technical reasons and the goalkeeper's skill in blocking penalty kicks.

Siwarak himself appeared in the match because Thailand's main goalkeeper, Chatchai Bootprom was injured and was certain to end the tournament early.

The appearance of Kawin in the first leg was quite good because he was able to keep the Thai goal from conceding. Thailand in the end won with a score of 4-0.

Two of Thailand's four goals were scored by Chanathip Songkrasin and the rest contributed by Supachok Sarachart and Bordin Phala.

Unlike Siwarak and Kawin, who sat comfortably under the bar because they were not under any significant threat, Indonesia's goalkeeper Nadeo Argawinata had to go back and forth to ward off hard balls from Thailand's players.

Noted, Nadeo was bombarded with 10 shots that led to the goal and 9 shots that went off the mark. In contrast, Thailand only received one kick on goal.

After the match, the coach of the Thailand national team, Alexandre Polking, emphasized that the change of goalkeeper he made in the middle of the match was disrespectful to Indonesia as an opponent.

In a virtual press conference, Polking said the decision to swap goalkeepers was taken because the reserve goalkeeper, Kawin Thamsatchanan, had just lost his father who died the day before the match.

"So I want to give him the opportunity to play for his late father," said the Brazilian-German tactician quoted from Antara.

With this result, Indonesia must win by a minimum difference of five goals in the second leg to become champions or four goals ahead to force the match into extra time and on penalties.

The second leg of the 2020 AFF Cup final will be held on Saturday, January 1 at the National Stadium, Singapore.