Indonesia will face Thailand in the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 final after securing top spot in Group A with a 9-2 victory over Bangladesh at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Thursday, 1 October.
The result gave Indonesia seven points from three matches and moved John Herdman’s side into the final ahead of Malaysia. Both teams finished on seven points with the same goal difference, but Indonesia progressed because of its superior number of goals scored. Malaysia, meanwhile, will play in the third-place match.
Indonesia had begun its Group A campaign with a 2-0 victory over Singapore before drawing 0-0 with Malaysia. The match against Malaysia ended with Indonesia playing with 10 men after Thom Haye was sent off.
The final group match against Bangladesh saw Mitchell Baker score five goals, while Rizky Ridho, Justin Hubner, Luke Vickery and Kevin Diks also scored. Bangladesh’s goals came from Mohammed Shariar Emon and Farhaan Ali Wahid.
Baker’s fifth goal came in added time and completed Indonesia’s 9-2 victory. The 19-year-old striker said the match had been unlike any other he had played.
“I think this is the craziest match I have ever played. But I just want to repeat what the coach said. The supporters were incredible. They helped us get through this match,” Baker said after the game.
Thailand had already secured its place in the final after winning its opening two Group B matches against Pakistan and Vietnam. Thailand defeated Pakistan 4-0 before beating Vietnam 2-0 to secure first place in the group.
The final will be played at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Monday, 5 October, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm WIB. The third-place match between Malaysia and the Group B runner-up will take place at the same venue at 4pm WIB.
Indonesia and Thailand Prepare for Another Meeting
The final will renew a long-running fixture between Indonesia and Thailand. According to data cited by Tirto from Transfermarkt, the teams have met 35 times in their last series of competitive meetings. Indonesia have won 13, while Thailand have recorded 19 victories, with three matches ending in draws.
Indonesia’s most recent victory over Thailand came in the first leg of the 2016 AFF Championship final. Playing at Pakansari Stadium in Bogor, Indonesia won 2-1 through goals from Rizky Pora and Hansamu Yama after Teerasil Dangda had put Thailand ahead. Thailand then won the second leg 2-0 in Bangkok to take the title 3-2 on aggregate.
Their latest meeting was in the 2022 AFF Championship, when the sides drew 1-1. Marc Klok gave Indonesia the lead from the penalty spot before Sarach Yooyen equalised for Thailand.
The final will also bring John Herdman and Anthony Hudson together again. The two English coaches previously encountered each other while Herdman was in charge of Canada and Hudson worked as part of the United States coaching staff. Canada and the United States met three times during that period, with Herdman recording one win, one draw and one defeat.
Herdman said Hudson was already familiar with his approach after studying Canada during their previous meetings.
“He knows how I play. He studied Canada when we faced the United States in many matches,” Herdman said.
Herdman added that he had also watched Hudson’s teams and was looking forward to meeting him on the touchline.
“I have also watched many matches that Anthony has managed. It will be nice to shake his hand in the technical area and see two Englishmen going head-to-head tactically,” he said.
The final at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium will bring together the two group winners, with Indonesia playing on home ground against Thailand in the tournament’s decisive match.
