Jakarta. Indonesia coach John Herdman said intensive penalty practice the day before the FIFA ASEAN Cup final helped determine which players would step up in the decisive shootout against Thailand.

Indonesia beat Thailand 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in extra time at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Monday, securing the country's first senior men's Southeast Asian championship.

Herdman said the penalty takers were selected based on their performances during a dedicated training session on Sunday, when every player was given an opportunity to take penalties and undergo mental preparation.

“We spent a lot of time with our boys, just working through some of the mental processes. Each player was given an opportunity,” Herdman said after the match.

“We analyzed the players that took [penalties]. The guys who took the penalties were the ones that were more critical yesterday in the preparation.”

Among those identified as being ready for the pressure was defender Elkan Baggott, who had scored Indonesia's equalizer in the 116th minute to force the shootout.

Herdman said some of Indonesia's forwards were not selected because they lacked confidence during training.

“Some of the strikers weren't confident. Often when you haven't been able to do it in training, you give it to the boys that seem to be in form.,” he said.

The approach paid off. Indonesia converted all four of its penalties through Dean James, Baggott, Shayne Pattynama, and Kevin Diks, while goalkeeper Emil Audero saved Thailand's fourth attempt after Sarach Yooyen had earlier hit the post.

Herdman said the victory was the product of more than tactics, emphasizing the mental strength and team spirit his squad had developed during the tournament.

“Cup finals are going to be decided in moments. They're going to be decided by mentality, spirit, and grit to win,” he said.

“Tactics are one thing, but in cup finals, tactics go out the window. It's about the spirit. It's about the will.”

The Canadian coach also credited PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir for trusting him and his staff to build a team capable of competing for trophies.

Herdman said the experience would form part of the foundation for Indonesia's future, adding that he was already monitoring potential new players, including those from the domestic league.

“We're always watching,” he said. “I'm really hoping we can create that Alphonso Davies of Indonesia, that next, next, next player who's going to go for a championship for this country.”

Baggott, meanwhile, credited Herdman and the coaching staff for preparing the squad through a demanding tournament schedule.

“There's no chance we would have won this without him today,” Baggott said.

The defender said the players had been motivated by Indonesia's repeated failures in previous regional finals. Herdman had shown the squad footage of past defeats, including their loss to Thailand in an earlier AFF Championship final.

“It's been some journey,” Baggott said. “But one thing for sure is we all love and want to represent this country.”

The victory ended Indonesia's long wait for a senior men's regional title after six previous runner-up finishes in the AFF Championship. It also marked the country's first championship in the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup.

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