Ole Romeny Criticizes Indonesia’s Failure to Hold Lead in ASEAN Cup Final
Indonesia claimed the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 title on Monday, October 5, 2026, defeating Thailand 4-2 on penalties at the Stadion Utama Gelora Bung Karno in Jakarta after a 2-2 draw through 120 minutes, ending a 35-year wait for a regional international trophy.
Early Advantages and Missed Chances in Regulation
The final shifted when Thailand was reduced to 10 players late in regulation. The failure to hold the lead against a shorthanded side drew immediate post-match criticism from striker Ole Romeny. Sanron Iklas then put Thailand ahead in extra time before Elkan Baggott equalized to make it 2-2.
Indonesia Wins Penalty Shootout to Secure Regional Trophy
The match went to penalties where Indonesia converted four attempts while two Thailand kickers missed. Captain Kevin Diks opened the shootout for Indonesia, followed by successful spot-kicks from Dean James, Elkan Baggott, and Shayne Pattynama, alongside saves from goalkeeper Emil Audero. The victory sparked international praise. Spanish club Rayo Vallecano, English side Millwall, Dutch club Go Ahead Eagles, and Dutch powerhouse Ajax all issued public statements celebrating their respective players—Emil Audero, Elkan Baggott, Dean James, and Maarten Paes—for securing the regional trophy, according to SOURCE 2. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who presented the trophy at GBK, noted that the inaugural tournament final drew over 70,000 spectators.
Evaluations and Future Objectives for the National Team
PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir acknowledged the severity of the competition following the match, stating that the tournament served as a valuable lesson for future global ambitions. “Ini pelajaran bagus buat seluruh pemain, buat pelatih, bahwa kalau memang kita mau masuk Piala Dunia, kita harus serius mempersiapkan dan tantangannya sangat berat,” Erick Thohir told reporters at GBK after watching the final alongside President Prabowo Subianto and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, according to SOURCE 4. Echoing that perspective, Ole Romeny pointed toward the 2030 World Cup qualification cycle as the next benchmark for the squad following the conclusion of the 2026 tournament.
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