JAKARTA, Dec 29: Defending champions Thailand outlasted Indonesia in a dramatic penalty shootout to claim the final of the Tiger Cup here on Sunday despite playing most of the match with just 10 men.
A supremely confident chip penalty kick down the middle by Thailand’s Dusit Chalermsan sealed the shootout after the 90 minutes of regulation play and 30 minutes of extra time finished with the scores tied at 2-2.
The Thai team got off to a great start to the match when Chukiat headed a goal off a free kick from midfielder Therdsak Chaiman.
The goal, at the 28th minute, dampened the Indonesian’s spirit and the Thais quickly took advantage with Therssak taking a header from ace striker Worawoot Sirimaka and scoring his team’s second goal in the 35th minute.
However the spirit of the Indonesian team resurged in the second half after midfielder Yaris Riadi took a pass from Imran Nahumaruly to find the net and bring the scoreline back to 1-2.
Ace Indonesian striker Gendut Doni Christiawan eventually levelled the match at 2-2 with a sharp shot from a ball relayed once again by Nahumaruly, to the estatic cheers of the home crowd.
Earlier in the day, Vietnam took third place in the tournament after beating Malaysia