Jakarta - The 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup Final between Indonesia and Thailand at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), Jakarta on Monday evening (5/10/2026) concluded in unforgettable, dramatic fashion.
After finishing 120 minutes level at 2-2, Indonesia defeated Thailand 4-2 on penalties to become the very first champions of the FIFA ASEAN Cup.
Yet the story of this historic night had already begun hours before kickoff.
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Tickets for the Indonesia vs Thailand Final of the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup are available for sale starting at IDR 250,000.
Indonesia vs Thailand: 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup Final - Garuda's Chance to End a 35-Year Title Drought
Sea of Red at GBK
By late afternoon, the entire Gelora Bung Karno complex was already packed with supporters. All 67,000 final match tickets sold out completely, filling SUGBK to capacity for the showdown between these two Southeast Asian Football giants.
ITSMe reporter Syafira and her on-site team felt this energy firsthand, having arrived at the stadium well before the match. Alongside covering the on-pitch action, the ITSMe crew observed and documented the fan celebrations, conducted pre-match supporter interviews, and stayed through the full aftermath once Indonesia secured the title.
Inside the stadium, the atmosphere reached fever pitch during the closing ceremony. With the stadium lights dimmed, music playing, and supporter choreography unfurled across the stands, all eyes finally turned to the 22 players set to battle for the trophy.
Goalless First Half
Indonesia took the initiative with confident ball possession, while Thailand set up defensively to wait for counter-attack opportunities.
Mitch Baker and Calvin Verdonk both created dangerous chances, but neither could find the back of the net. The first half ended with the score locked at 0-0.
From the stands, supporter groups Ultras Garuda and La Grande Indonesia never stopped backing their team, with constant chants and displays lifting the Garuda Squad throughout the half.
At halftime, the ITSMe team returned outside the stadium to speak directly with fans. Despite no goals in the opening 45 minutes, the crowd remained overwhelmingly optimistic.
Dean James Breaks The Deadlock
At the start of the second half, head coach John Herdman made his first substitution, bringing on Dean James for Thom Haye. The match immediately opened up after this change.
Thailand was reduced to 10 men when Nicholas Mickelson received his second yellow card. Moments later, Indonesia won a free kick right on the edge of the penalty area.
Dean James stepped up to take it.
His strike took a deflection off Iklas Sanron, wrongfooting the Thai keeper and finding the net in the 84th minute.
Indonesia 1-0 Thailand.
This lead did not last long. Just three minutes later, Iklas Sanron made amends with a volleyed finish from Seksan Ratree's cross.
The score stood at 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes, sending the final into extra time.
Elkan Baggott Saves Indonesia
Despite being down a man, Thailand struck first in extra time to shock the home crowd.
In the 111th minute, Anan Yodsangwal dispossessed Elkan Baggott before playing through Peeradol Chamrasamee, who beat Emil Audero to put Thailand 2-1 ahead.
Indonesia was on the brink of defeat.
But the Garuda refused to surrender.
Five minutes later, Rizky Ridho floated a ball into the Thai penalty box. Elkan Baggott arrived unmarked, firing a shot that bounced off the underside of the crossbar and over the goal line.
GOOOL! Indonesia 2-2 Thailand.
The entire SUGBK erupted.
Baggott's 116th minute equaliser reignited Indonesia's hopes. The final four minutes were played at frantic intensity, but no further goals came before the 120 minutes expired.
The trophy would be decided by a penalty shootout.
Emil Audero The Hero
Indonesia was flawless from the penalty spot.
Kevin Diks, Dean James, Elkan Baggott, and Shayne Pattynama all converted their kicks successfully.
Thailand missed twice: Sarach Yooyen struck the post, while Nattapong Sayriya's effort was saved brilliantly by Emil Audero.
Indonesia won the shootout 4-2.
Audero's save proved the decisive moment, backed up by four perfect penalties from the Indonesian takers.
Raw emotion spilled out immediately across the pitch: players embraced in tears, the stands roared, and John Herdman celebrated wildly with his squad.
A Historic Trophy
President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto was in attendance at SUGBK for the match. Following the win, Prabowo joined FIFA President Gianni Infantino to present the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup trophy to Indonesian captain Kevin Diks. Prabowo then joined the players on the podium to celebrate the victory.
For the ITSMe team, the night was far from over.
Once the on-pitch celebrations died down, Syafira and her crew moved to the mixed zone to speak directly with the players. Post-match interviews with Jordi Amat, Shayne Pattynama and Calvin Verdonk captured what this Historic Victory felt like for the squad.
Indonesia closed this marathon night with an achievement that will be remembered for generations.
Not only did the Garuda lift the trophy for the very first edition of the FIFA ASEAN Cup, they also ended an almost 10 year, 8 match winless drought against Thailand. FIFA confirmed this record was finally broken on the biggest possible stage.
Most notably, this marks Indonesia's first senior international football title outside of SEA Games gold medals.
A final that began with hope has ended with history.
120 minutes of non-stop drama, four perfect penalties, one legendary save from Emil Audero, and one trophy for Indonesia.
Indonesia National Football Team are 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup Champions.
