Jakarta. Indonesia ended decades of frustration in Southeast Asian football on Monday night, defeating Thailand 4-2 on penalties after a pulsating 2-2 draw to become the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup champion.

Goalkeeper Emil Audero emerged as the shootout hero before a packed Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, saving Thailand's fourth penalty from Nattapong Sairiya after veteran midfielder Sarach Yooyen had earlier struck the post.

Indonesia, by contrast, were flawless from the spot.

Dean James, Elkan Baggott, Shayne Pattynama and Kevin Diks -- all defenders -- converted Indonesia's four penalties to secure the country's first senior men's regional championship.

The victory was particularly significant for a nation that had repeatedly come close without winning Southeast Asia's previous senior regional championship, finishing runner-up six times in the AFF Championship.

The FIFA ASEAN Cup, held for the first time this year, gave Indonesia an immediate breakthrough in the region's new FIFA-backed competition.

“New history has been made. The Indonesian national team are the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup champions,” Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Chairman Erick Thohir wrote on Instagram.

“Thank you to the players, coaches, officials and all the Indonesian people who never stopped believing.”

President Prabowo Subianto watched the final from the stadium, along with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Prabowo later joined Infantino in presenting the championship trophy to the Indonesian team.

From Almost Champions to Almost Beaten
Indonesia's path to the trophy in the final was anything but straightforward.

After a goalless first half, Thailand were reduced to 10 men in the 81st minute when defender Nicholas Mickelson received his second yellow card for fouling Indonesian striker Ole Romeny.

Indonesia capitalized three minutes later.

James' free kick in the 84th minute took a deflection off Thailand's Sanron Iklas and beat goalkeeper Saranon Anuin to give the host a 1-0 lead.

With a man advantage and only minutes remaining, Indonesia appeared to have one hand on the trophy.

Thailand had other ideas.

Despite playing with 10 men, the Thais equalized in the 87th minute when substitute Seksan Ratree found Iklas unmarked inside the Indonesian penalty area. Iklas fired past Audero to send the final into extra time.

The drama then swung sharply in Thailand's favor.

Peeradol Chamrasamee struck in the 111th minute to put the 10-man visitors 2-1 ahead and leave Indonesia facing the prospect of defeat after having been only minutes away from victory.

But Indonesia responded just five minutes later.

Rizky Ridho combined with Egy Maulana Vikri before delivering the ball for Baggott, who scored the 116th-minute equalizer to make it 2-2 and force the championship to a penalty shootout.

Audero Delivers in Shootout
Indonesia's penalty takers showed no sign of nerves.

James, Baggott, Pattynama and Diks all converted, while Thailand's Sarach saw his attempt rebound off the post.

Audero then stopped Nattapong's fourth Thai penalty, sealing Indonesia's 4-2 shootout victory and triggering celebrations around Gelora Bung Karno.

The triumph also ended a decade-long winless run against Thailand. FIFA said Indonesia had failed to beat the regional rival in their previous eight meetings stretching back 10 years.

Indonesia's victory completed a remarkable tournament for John Herdman's team.

The host reached the final only after a dramatic 9-2 victory over Bangladesh in its final Group A match, edging Malaysia for top spot on goals scored after the two teams finished level on points and goal difference.

Indonesia then survived another extraordinary night in the final -- leading against 10 men, conceding an equalizer, falling behind in extra time, recovering to 2-2 and finally winning from the penalty spot.

The rivalry will resume on a bigger continental stage in just over three months.

Indonesia and Thailand have been drawn together in Group F of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, alongside four-time Asian champion Japan and defending champion Qatar. Indonesia are scheduled to face Thailand on Jan. 20.

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