2020 AFF Cup Final Leg 1: Thailand Submerges Indonesia 4 Goals Without Reply

Indonesia vs Thailand (Photo: PSSI)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team must acknowledge Thailand's toughness in the first leg of the 2020 AFF Cup final which took place at the National Stadium, Singapore, Wednesday night. The Garuda squad lost four goals without reply.

Indonesia's meeting with Thailand in the 2020 AFF Cup final was a repeat of the 2000, 2002 and 2016 AFF Cup finals, all of which were won by Thailand.

For the Garuda squad, this is the sixth final during their participation in the AFF Cup after previously recording similar achievements in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2010 and 2016 with results without a title.

In tonight's match, Indonesian coach Shin Tae-yong fielded five defenders. In the first 11 list, Shin Tae-yong played three central defenders namely Alfeandra Dewangga, Rizky Ridho and Fachruddin Aryanto. They were accompanied by left-back Mohammad Edo Febriansyah and right-back and captain Asnawi Mangkualam Bahar.

Nadeo Argawinata standing under the Indonesian crossbar. In the middle, Rachmat Irianto still remains as a defensive midfielder, accompanied by attacking midfielder Ricky Kambuaya.

On the wing, Shin Tae-yong relies on Witan Sulaeman and Irfan Jaya. As the center forward, there is Dedik Setiawan who makes Ezra Walian will act as a substitute. Elkan Baggott and Egy Maulana are backup in

From the Thai side, tactician Alexandre Polking fielded experienced players, namely Teerasil Dangda, Chanathip Songkrasin and Tristan Do. 23-year-old forward Supachok Sarachat also started.

However, Polking benched the almost irreplaceable midfielder in the War Elephant Squad, Sarach Yooyen.

Since the first minute, Asnawi Mangkualam et al looked panicked. Evidently, Thailand immediately got two golden opportunities in just two minutes since kick-off where one of them became a goal.

The captain of the Thailand team, Chanathip Songkrasin, scored the Indonesian goal with a hard kick that made Nadeo unable to move. The War Elephant team leads one ball.

Thailand continues to bombard the defense of Shin Tae-yong's team. Luckily, Fachruddin made several clean sweeps. Noted, Indonesia only got a chance through Asnawi when his shot went wide to the right side of Siwarak Tedsungnoen's goal.

The 1-0 score lasted until halftime.

The skipper leading by example #AFFSuzukiCup2020 | #RivalriesNeverDie | #IDNvTHA pic.twitter.com/Y7hdjFrAD7

— AFF Suzuki Cup (@affsuzukicup) December 29, 2021

In the second half, Shin Tae-yong changed his strategy by including Elkan Baggott and Evan Dimas, replacing Fachrudin and Rachmat Irianto. A number of attempts were made by the Garuda Squad, but the War Elephant Team's counterattack was truly deadly.

Chanatip broke into Nadeo's goal again in the 52nd minute. Alexandre Polking's children moved two balls away.

Irfan Jaya got a golden opportunity in the 61st minute after receiving feedback from Ricky Kambuaya. However, his kick was still weak so it was not able to reduce Indonesia's lag.

Egy Maulana Vikri came in to replace Ricky. Indonesia tried to put pressure on Egy's breakthrough bait to Asnawi. Again, the efforts of Shin Tae-yong's children have not been successful. In contrast, Supachok Sarachat's goal in the 67th minute further immersed Indonesia in defeat.

Left behind by three balls, Indonesia entered Ramai Rumakiek to replace Irfan Jaya. But, Rumakiek couldn't do much. Thailand even further away after Bordin Phala ripped Nadeo's goal for the fourth time with seven minutes remaining. Thailand 4, Indonesia 0. The referee blew the long whistle.

Even though it is difficult, there is still hope for Asnawi et al. to reply in the second leg of the 2020 AFF Cup final which will be played on Saturday, January 1.

Here is the line-up for the two teams.

Indonesia: Nadeo Argawinata-pg, Moh. Edo Febriansyah, Rizky Ridho, Alfeandra Dewangga, Fachruddin Aryanto, Asnawi Mangkualam Bahar (captain), Rachmat Irianto, Ricky Kambuaya, Witan Sulaeman, Irfan Jaya, Dedik Setiawan.

Thailand: Siwarak Tedsungnoen-pg, Yusef Dolah, Philip Roler, Tristan Do, Kritsada Kaman, Weerathep Pomphun, Bordin Phala, Phitiwat Sookjitthammakul, Supachok Sarachat, Chanathip Songkrasin (captain), Teerasil Dangda.