TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian national futsal team failed to defend their championship title after being defeated 1-2 by Thailand in the final of the 2026 ASEAN Futsal Championship or AFF Futsal Championship at Nonthaburi Hall, Bangkok, on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Indonesia initially took the lead through a goal by Andres Dwi Persada Putra. However, Thailand managed to turn the game around with goals from Itticha Praphaphan and Panut Kittipanuwong.
This outcome adds to Thailand's dominance, now holding 17 titles throughout the history of the ASEAN Futsal Championship. Meanwhile, Indonesia had to relinquish their defending champion status after winning the 2024 edition.
As quoted from Antara, Indonesia displayed aggression from the beginning of the match. Several opportunities were created, including by Guntur Ariwibowo, but to no avail. Thailand slowly eased the pressure and began to threaten. One of the opportunities came from Muhammad Osamanmusa, although his shot missed the target.
Indonesia eventually took the lead in the 17th minute. A pass from Adityas Priambudi Wibowo was finished by Andres to change the score to 1-0. However, the lead did not last long. Two seconds before the end of the first half, Thailand was awarded a penalty, which Itticha successfully converted to equalize the score to 1-1.
Entering the second half, the game was more balanced. Thailand then took the lead in the 31st minute through a close-range and powerful shot by Panut. Indonesia attempted to respond and had a golden opportunity through Andarias Kareth, but was denied by Thailand's goalkeeper, Theerawat Kaewwilai.
In the remaining time of the match, Indonesia tried to press on, including using the power play strategy. However, until the final whistle, the score remained 2-1 in favor of Thailand.
Vietnam Claims Third Place
In the match for third place, Vietnam defeated Australia with a resounding 4-0 score at the same venue the day before. Vietnam dominated from the start and quickly took the lead through Nhan Gia Hung's goal in the third minute after receiving a pass from Nguyen Da Hai.
Vietnam's lead extended to 2-0 in the 18th minute with a goal from Chau Doan Phat. Moving into the second half, Vietnam continued to press and scored the third goal through Nguyen Thinh Phat in the 21st minute. Vietnam sealed the victory at 4-0 with a goal from goalkeeper Pham Van Tu in the 39th minute, taking advantage of Australia's power play situation.
This result marks Vietnam's sixth third-place finish in this event, following the same ranking in 2010, 2013, 2014, 2019, and 2022. Meanwhile, Australia finished in fourth place again, repeating their achievement from the 2024 edition.
Read: Indonesia Reaches AFF Futsal 2026 Semifinals After Beating Malaysia 1-0
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