Ole Romeny praises Indonesian football passion after ASEAN Cup win
Indonesië secured its first international football title since 1991 on October 5, 2026, defeating Thailand in a penalty shootout following a tense final in the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.
Decisive Penalty Drama in Jakarta
Nearly eighty thousand spectators packed the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium to witness the final match, where Indonesia-keeper Emil Audero stopped two penalties in the shootout to seal a 4-2 victory. The host nation faced a turbulent path to the trophy after Thailand’s Nicholas Mickelson received his second yellow card in the 81st minute, reducing the visitors to ten men. Dean James immediately capitalized on the resulting free kick to put Indonesia ahead. However, that advantage vanished in the 87th minute when Iklas Sanron equalized for Thailand, and a subsequent extra-time goal from substitute Peeradol Chamratsamee briefly put the Thais ahead.
Paes also contributed to the tournament campaign by starting in group-stage fixtures, keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 win against Singapore and drawing 0-0 with Malaysia. Indonesia ultimately reached the final on goal difference after a 9-2 victory over Bangladesh in their final group match, a fixture where Ole Romeny scored the crucial goal. Paes stayed on the bench during that third group match against Bangladesh. Following the final, Paes returns to Amsterdam this week to rejoin the Ajax squad alongside other internationals.
Contrasting European and Asian Football Passions
Speaking after the grueling final, Ole Romeny described the local atmosphere, stating that the intense passion felt in Indonesia is entirely different from Europe and comparable to football culture in South America. Romeny admitted he was completely exhausted after playing 109 minutes before being substituted, noting that he could no longer walk properly as he watched the penalty shootout from the sideline. Romeny noted that the team should never have let the advantage slip away against ten men, but added that the relief after extra time and penalties made it even greater.
The victory marks the country’s first piece of silverware in thirty-five years, following the national team’s success at the 1991 SEA Games. Romeny noted that while the team faced heavy disappointment after missing out on World Cup qualification, the regional tournament victory serves as a stepping stone toward building a competitive squad for the 2030 World Cup. Following the celebrations in Jakarta, Romeny prepares to return to the Netherlands to rejoin Fortuna Sittard ahead of an Eredivisie fixture against FC Twente.
