Thailand slump to a 2-1 defeat away to Indonesia in the first leg final of Asean Championship

The fixture at the sold-out Pakansari Stadium in Bogor was the second time the two sides met in the tournament following last month’s group opener in the Philippines, which the Kingdom ran out as the 4-2 winners.   

With the title at stake this time, it was predictable that the game began sluggishly unlike in the group stage meeting in which the Thais made a flying start with early goal.     

Despite being unable to launch any meaningful attack in the opening stages, the visitors were almost gifted a goal but Chanathip Songkrasin failed to capitalise on a poor back pass, dragging his effort wide of the far post.

After taking time to get going, the Thai side threatened again when central defender Koravit Namwiset headed the ball back across the goal for Sarawut Masuk, the team’s second highest scorer with three goals in the event, but the Bangkok Glass FC winger sent his volley well over the bar from just outside the six-yard box.     

It left striker and captain Teerasil Dangda to demonstrate how it should be done in the 33rd minute when he expertly guided Theerathon Bunmathan’s delightful cross from the left side inside the far post to grab his sixth goal in the tournament.

It was the fourth goal Teerasil scored against the Indonesians following his hat-trick in the group stage win, which helped him become the country’s joint top scorer in the competition on 15 goals along with ex-striker Worawut Srimaka.

The Thai team had a couple of decent chances to extend their lead before halftime but Chanathip agonisingly fired straight at the keeper from promising position inside the box before Teerasil saw his effort from another Theerathon cross deflected behind.

There was little sign of a second half fightback just like Indonesia did last month when they recovered from a two-goal halftime deficit to draw level with a quick-fire double as the Thais still looked the more likely to score.   

However, the hosts managed to claim the equaliser out of the blue in the 65th minute when midfielder Rizki Pora’s effort from outside the area took a deflection to wrongfoot keeper Kawin Thamsatchanan, sparking wild celebrations in the stands at the packed venue.

Visibly rattled by the setback, the Thais soon found themselves behind when defender Hansamu Pranata headed home from a corner, which triggered even louder cheers from already boisterous crowd.     

Bidding to win their first regional crown in five attempts, the Indonesians managed to hang onto the result to take a slender advantage into Saturday’s return leg at Rajamangala National Stadium.