INDONESIA VS THAILAND, A REPEAT OF AFF CUP FINAL 2020
Most runners-up meet with most winners of the AFF cup yet again.
The Indonesian national team, led by Shin Tae-yong, entered the 2020 AFF Cup final with an unblemished record since the group stage after defeating Singapore 4-2 in the second semi-final of the 2020 AFF Cup (12/25/2021).
With a 5-3 aggregate edge over host Singapore, the Indonesian national team advanced to the 2020 AFF Cup final. The Indonesian national team recorded four victories and two draws from the group stage to the 2020 AFF Cup semi-finals. In addition to Singapore, Vietnam managed to keep the Indonesian national team interested. The incident occurred on the third matchday of AFF Cup 2020 Group B.
The sharpness of Shin Tae-yong's troops is one of the most noticeable statistics from the Indonesian national team's performance since the group stages. The Indonesian national team has scored 18 goals in six matches up to the second semi-final of the 2020 AFF Cup. Cambodia (4 goals), Laos (5), Malaysia (4), and Singapore (5) have all suffered as a result of the Indonesian national team's sharpness.
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The Indonesian national team, led by Shin Tae-yong, is unique in that it does not rely solely on one player to score goals. In the 2020 AFF Cup, ten Indonesian national team players have scored goals. Rachmat Irianto has two goals, Evan Dimas has two, Ramai Rumakiek has one, Asnawi Mangkualam has one, Irfan Jaya has three, Witan Sulaeman has two, Ezra Walian has two, Pratama Arhan has two, Elkan Baggott has one, and Egy Maulana Vikri has one.
The suicide goal of Singapore winger Shawal Anuar widened the lead for the Indonesian national team (second leg semi-final). The Indonesian national team's sharpness leading up to the 2020 AFF Cup semi-finals cannot be separated from the players' aggressiveness when attacking.
According to the AFF website, the Indonesian national team is the most fruitful and the squad with the most shots on goal. Evan Dimas Darmono and his teammates had 115 shots on goal in six games since the 2020 AFF Cup group stage. The Indonesian national team defeated defending champion Vietnam in the semi-finals, winning six shots. Irfan Jaya was the Indonesian national team player that fired the most shots at goal.
In six appearances, the PSS Sleman winger has 18 shots on goal. In addition, the Indonesian national team will face Thailand's Alexander "Mano" Polking in the 2020 AFF Cup final. The Indonesian national team's sharpness will be tested in the 2020 AFF Cup final.
On the other hand, Thailand won all four AFF Cup Group A matches. The War Elephant Team defeated Timor Leste (2-0), Myanmar (4-0), the Philippines (2-1), and Singapore (2-1) in Group A. (2-0). Thailand defeated Vietnam 2-0 in the first leg of the semi-finals and drew 0-0 in the second leg. Thailand qualified for the AFF Cup final versus Indonesia thanks to a 2-0 aggregate victory over Vietnam.
This is not the first time Indonesia and Thailand have met at the top of the AFF Cup standings. At least three of the Garuda Squad's previous five final rounds encountered the White Elephant. Unfortunately, the Thai national team was always dominant against the Indonesian national team.
The rivalry between Indonesia and Thailand in the AFF Cup final began in 2000. Since the preliminary round, Indonesia, which was bolstered by the country's greatest players, appeared to be a formidable force. Gendut Doni, the Indonesian national team's striker at the time, was even declared the top scorer with five goals.
The final round was held at Thailand's Rajamanggala Stadium. In contrast to now, the conflict was still only one leg away. Indonesia was defeated 1-4 by the host in this match.
Two years later, in the 2002 AFF Cup final, the Indonesian national team faced Thailand. However, the fight was held at Jakarta's Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK).
The combat is exciting. After falling behind by two goals in the first half, Indonesia tied the game at 2-2. Unfortunately, the AFF Cup trophy was not taken home because the Garuda squad lost the penalty shootout by 2-4.
Despite this, the Indonesian national team made it to the final of the 2004 AFF Cup. However, the foe they encountered was not the same as in the prior two seasons. The Garuda squad had to meet the Singapore national team this time.
The game was played twice. Indonesia was defeated 1-3 at GBK in the opening leg. While the second leg likewise ended in defeat with a 1-2. Singapore has again crowned champions with a 5-2 aggregate score.
It took six years for Indonesia to reach the final stage of the Southeast Asian countries tournament. Unfortunately, the Indonesian national team surrendered to Malaysia after performing consistently since the preliminary round. Indonesia, which had defeated its neighboring country 5-1 in the first round, was defeated 0-3 in the first leg at Bukit Jalil in the last round. Indonesia barely won the second leg by a score of 2-1.
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Six years later, in the 2016 AFF Cup final, the Indonesian national team faced Thailand. The possibility of lifting the trophy was wide open after the first leg, which took place at Pakansari, Bogor, Indonesia, was won by 2-1. A draw in the second leg was enough to end the Garuda squad's AFF Cup title drought with this victory.
Unfortunately, Indonesia lost the encounter at the Rajamanggala Stadium 0-2. The Indonesian national team, which was then managed by Alfred Riedl, failed to win after falling short on aggregate by a score of 2-3.
Now, Shin Tae-yong has joined the Indonesian national team. This South Korean is the most experienced coach in the AFF Cup this year. He previously led South Korea during the World Cup in 2018.
The first leg of the 2020 AFF Cup final took place on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, which Indonesia lost 0-4. The second leg of the 2020 AFF Cup final will be played on Saturday (1/1/2022), and it remains to be seen whether Indonesia can break the runner-up curse this time.
