Thailand may not be the best team on the day against Indonesia but they did just enough to win the penalty shootout 3-2 in the first semi-final to book their place in the AFF Under-18 Championship here at the Thuwunna Stadium.
The score at the end of regulation was 0-0.
“Of course we are very happy to make the final. We beat one of the biggest teams in this tournament,” said Thailand head Marc Palacios.
“The win was not only down to the goalkeeper who saved two penalties but also to the other players in the team who fought hard today.”
With yet another hot afternoon, both teams were on attack mode from the get go although for Thailand, the fact that they were missing midfielder Ekanit Panya meant that they could not make their presence felt at the centre of the park.
That left them to absorb much of the attack from Indonesia where as early as the seventh minute; a combination between Egy Maulana Vikri and Witan Sulaeman could not find the perfect finish.
Thailand replied with a header from Panyawat Nisangram from a Nakin Wisetchai cross but substitute keeper Muchamad Aqil Savik was equal to the task.
The first half ended with a moment of madness for substitute Saddil Ramdani, who lasted barely 30seconds in the game, before he was red carded by referee Coutlifford Daypuyat for an elbow on Teerapat Laohabut.
But that setback failed to change the pace of the game for Indonesia as they continued to press and create a string of chances through Egy and then moments later a mad scramble in front of the Thai goal which neither Witan nor Muhammad Rifad Marasabessy could stab home.
Thailand continued to stay their line and rarely pushed forward and with Indonesia not able to make any of their chances count, the game went into penalty shoot.
And it was Thai keeper Kantaphat Manpati, who was the hero of the day when he saved two penalties from Muhammad Iqbal and also Marasabeesy to give them the win as Nurhidayat Haris also missed from the spot.
Indonesia’s two goals were scored by Egy and Muhammad Luthfi Baharsyah.
The goals for Thailand were scored by Nattawut Chootiwat, Chokanan Saima-in and Teerapat while Kritsada Kaman missed.
“I was very impressed with the way the players played with ten men,” said Indonesian head coach Indra Sjafri.
“We created a lot of chances but we could not score. But this is football.”
