Indonesia Secures FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 Title Over Thailand
Timnas Indonesia ended a 35-year title drought by defeating Thailand in the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 final on Monday, October 5, 2026, at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta, as reported by detiksport. The Garuda squad claimed the trophy through a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw after extra time. Head coach John Herdman split goalkeeping duties across the tournament, deploying Maarten Paes for the opening matches and Emil Audero for the final stretch.
Goalkeeping Rotation Between Paes and Audero
Maertan Paes anchored the defense during the early rounds, securing two clean sheets in a 2-0 victory against Singapore and a 0-0 draw with Malaysia, detiksport reported. In the match against Malaysia, Paes stopped eight shots after Thom Haye received a red card in the 36th minute. National team observer and former player Agung Setyabudi told Bola.com that Paes displayed strong composure under the mistar gawang, noting he favored Paes for his stability. Conversely, Disway Malang noted that Paes holds a strong statistical advantage in stopping penalties, citing his MLS Save of the Year award in May 2024 with FC Dallas and a penalty save against Saudi Arabia in World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. Meanwhile, Emil Audero brought European experience from Italian clubs and Spanish side Rayo Vallecano, according to Bola.com, having saved 11 penalties over his career per Transfermarkt data cited by Disway Malang.
Emil Audero Secures Victory in Penalty Shootout
Emil Audero took over the starting role for the matches against Bangladesh and the final against Thailand, detiksport reported. During the semifinal stretch, Audero stopped a stoppage-time shot from Bangladesh’s Faarhan, which launched a counterattack culminating in a ninth goal by Baker in a 9-2 victory. In the final against Thailand, after regular time ended 1-1 with Thailand playing down a man and extra time finished at 2-2, Audero blocked a crucial penalty kick during the shootout. 20detik reported that Audero’s crucial save under intense pressure delivered the decisive advantage that secured the championship trophy for Indonesia.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Final
Which clubs do Maarten Paes and Emil Audero currently play for?
Maarten Paes plays for Dutch club Ajax Amsterdam, while Emil Audero plays in Spain’s LaLiga for Rayo Vallecano, according to Bola.com.
How many penalties did Emil Audero save during his career prior to this tournament?
Transfermarkt data cited by Disway Malang indicates that Audero saved 11 penalties throughout his professional career before the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026.
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