Indonesia U-22 are one step closer to clinching their first SEA Games gold medal since 1991 after narrowly beating Vietnam U-22 in Saturday’s semifinal match at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh. Despite losing Pratama Arhan to a red card in the 61st minute, Indonesia managed to nick a dramatic 3-2 victory thanks to an injury-time goal from Taufany Muslihuddin to book their spot in the final.
Indra Sjafri’s Indonesia side took the lead in the 10th minute, after a throw-in from Tokyo Verdy player Arhan was headed into Quan Van Chuan’s goal by Komang Putra.
Vietnam then drew things level in the 36th minute, with Nguyen Van Trung heading in a cross beyond the reaches of Indonesia goalkeeper Ernando Ali.
With the scores evenly poised at 1-1, the first half ends with a brief scuffle between Alfreandra Dewangga and Vo Minh Trong, which ends with the two players receiving yellow cards from the referee.
Indonesia regained their lead in the 53rd minute. Once again it was an Arhan throw-in that threw the Vietnamese defense into chaos – the ball being punched away by Van Chuan only to end up in the possession of Marselino Ferdinan, who rifled in an attempt that deflected off Muhammad Ferrari and into the Vietnamese goal.
Disaster struck Indonesia in the 61st minute, after a foul by an already booked Arhan on a Vietnamese player earned him a second yellow card from the referee – which resulted in his dismissal.
As both Indonesia and Vietnam traded blow after blow, the latter managed to drew level in the 79th minute after Bagas Kaffa had inadvertently directed a Nguyen Ngoc Thang cross into his own net.
Vietnam were denied the lead in the 85th minute after Van Tung had his effort being deflected by Ernando, before Indonesia delivered a sucker punch right at the death. A briliant solo move from Taufany was finished off with a blistering shot that left Van Chuan with no chance at all, sealing Indonesia’s spot in the SEA Games final.
In May 16th’s final, Indonesia will face-off against Thailand, who beat Myanmar 3-0 in their semifinal match.