Jakarta: Indonesia handed Thailand a 7-6 defeat in a sudden-death penalty shoot-out at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Friday after the teams shared a 1-1 draw to book their place in the final of the ASEAN U-23 Mandiri Cup™ 2025.
Alfharezzi Buffon hit the winning spot-kick in the eighth round of penalties after goalkeeper Muhammad Ardiansyah had saved Yotsakon Burapha’s attempt to take the hosts into a meeting with defending champions Vietnam in Tuesday’s final.
Yotsakon had put the Thais in front on the hour mark with a calm finish but Jens Raven’s 84th-minute header took the game into extra-time and Gerald Vanenburg’s side eventually prevailed on penalties.
The hosts were given a scare with only 11 minutes on the clock as Pattarapon Suksakit glanced Chaiyaphon Otton’s corner against the crossbar and it took until the 30th minute for Indonesia to seriously threaten.
Raven almost put his side in front as he flicked Rahmat Arjuna Reski’s cross from the left beyond Sorawat Phosaman, only for the ball to clip the post and bounce clear.
It was Thailand who took the lead on the hour mark. Captain Seksan Ratree was instrumental, surging into the penalty area before delivering possession to Yotsakon and he calmly slotted past Ardiansyah.
Ardiansyah had to be at his best to deny Thailand a second when Siraphop Wandee cut onto his left foot to unleash a fierce left-foot drive that the Indonesian goalkeeper tipped over the bar with a fine reaction save.
Time was running out for Indonesia but Raven rescued his side, powering into the six-yard box to meet Hannan’s corner from the right to head in the equaliser with six minutes remaining and take the game into extra-time.
A double save by Ardiansyah – first from Yotsakon and then Chawanit Sealao – with little more than five minutes remaining of a frantic extra-time kept the scores level, taking the game to penalties.
Pichitchai Sienkrathok thumped his opening attempt against the crossbar while Robi Darwis saw his spot-kick in the third round saved by Sorawat before the shoot-out moved into sudden death.
It was in the eighth round that Yotsakon’s weak penalty was saved by Ardiansyah as he dived to his right, leaving Alfharezzi to hit the winner for the hosts.
Mandiri Player of the Match - Muhammad Ardiansyah (#1), Indonesia
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