Indonesia national futsal team secured a dramatic place in the final of the ASEAN Futsal Championship 2026 after defeating Vietnam national futsal team 3–2 in a thrilling semi-final clash at Nonthaburi PAO Gymnasium, Nonthaburi, on Friday night.
The victory ensured the side coached by Hector Souto advanced to the tournament’s showpiece match after an intense encounter that saw Indonesia withstand a late Vietnamese surge.
Indonesia began the match with aggressive intent, applying relentless pressing from the opening minutes. The strategy immediately unsettled Vietnam, forcing frequent errors in their defensive half and preventing them from building structured attacks.
Despite Indonesia’s early dominance, Vietnam nearly punished a defensive lapse when Muhammad Imam Anshori made a costly mistake. However, Nguyen Thim Park could only watch his shot strike the post past Indonesian goalkeeper Muhammad Albagir.
Indonesia soon regained control and continued to push forward. The breakthrough finally arrived when Andarias Kareth capitalised on a defensive blunder by Vietnam, quickly seizing the loose ball before calmly finishing past the goalkeeper to give Indonesia a 1–0 lead.
Tensions briefly flared when Nguyen Man Dhung committed a hard tackle on Piter Everardus, forcing the Indonesian player to receive medical treatment.
Just before the break, Kareth struck again. Cutting in from the right flank, he produced a powerful left-footed finish that left the Vietnamese goalkeeper helpless, sending Indonesia into half-time with a 2–0 advantage.
Vietnam responded quickly after the restart. In the 22nd minute, a set-piece routine saw Minh Quang lay the ball off to Da Hai, whose fierce strike pulled one back for Vietnam.
Indonesia immediately restored their two-goal cushion just a minute later. A rapid counterattack ended with Muhammad Sanjaya finishing coolly into the far corner, making it 3–1.
Vietnam refused to back down and continued pressing forward. Their persistence paid off in the 30th minute when Cong Dai reacted quickest after a shot rebounded off the post, reducing the deficit to 3–2.
The closing stages were tense as Vietnam launched wave after wave of attacks. Thinh Phat came agonisingly close to equalising in the 33rd minute when his powerful left-footed strike crashed against the post.
However, Indonesia held firm defensively and successfully protected their slender advantage until the final whistle.
The hard-fought 3–2 victory sends Indonesia into the ASEAN Futsal Championship 2026 final, keeping their title hopes alive after an impressive semi-final display built on intensity, discipline, and clinical finishing.
Credit Photo : HongZheng Lim/SNE-Photo
