Indonesia win inaugural FIFA Asean Cup in Jakarta as Infantino strengthens election base
Indonesia claimed the first FIFA Asean Cup title by beating Thailand on penalties in front of 70,000 fans in Jakarta. The tournament, a personal project of Gianni Infantino, gives the FIFA president a timely boost in Asia ahead of the upcoming election. The local triumph offset doubts about a competition that overlaps with the region's long-standing Hyundai Asean Cup.
ByMatt
5 min read
Indonesia won the first edition of the FIFA Asean Cup by defeating Thailand on penalties in front of 70,000 supporters in Jakarta. The final finished 2-2 after 120 minutes before the hosts prevailed 4-2 in the shootout, delivering a title that strengthens Gianni Infantino's push for influence in Southeast Asia ahead of the FIFA presidential election.
- Indonesia beat Thailand in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in the FIFA Asean Cup final.
- The tournament is a personal initiative of Gianni Infantino, who is seeking to consolidate Asian support for the FIFA presidential election.
- The competition ran alongside the Hyundai Asean Cup, won by Vietnam in August and held since 1996.
- Hong Kong lifted the Asean Challenge Cup, the second-tier event, with a 2-0 win over Cambodia.
- China and India turned down invitations to take part despite FIFA's hopes of tapping into their huge broadcast markets.
Infantino's Asian tour and the battle for the FIFA presidency
The tournament's conclusion comes at a pivotal time for Infantino, who has stepped up his visits to Asian member associations as the vote for the top job in world football approaches. In recent weeks he has inaugurated a headquarters in Macau, signed an agreement to build a national stadium in Mongolia and opened a FIFA Arena mini-pitch in Uzbekistan.
The Asian vote remains fragmented. Several federations have backed the incumbent, others have openly opposed him, some will wait to assess the alternative candidate and a group will follow the leadership of the Asian Football Confederation. In that landscape, every gesture matters, and handing a title to Indonesia, a declared ally, carries clear strategic value.
How the Indonesia vs Thailand final unfolded
The final featured a clash between two national teams led by English coaches. John Herdman, in charge of Indonesia, came out on top against Anthony Hudson, the Thailand manager, in a game that required extra time and a shootout to crown the hosts.
The title decider stood in contrast to the modest attendance seen at other matches in the tournament. Although official figures were not published, empty seats defined the image of many games. The final was the exception, filling the Jakarta stadium and providing the atmosphere FIFA wanted to give its new project credibility.
Indonesia's agonizing route to the final
Indonesia's road to the decider included a dramatic final group match. The hosts needed to beat Bangladesh by one more goal than Malaysia's winning margin over Singapore. Malaysia won 6-0 and, with Indonesia leading 7-2 in added time, a place in the final appeared to be slipping away.
However, the stoppage time ran longer than expected and the home side scored in the 96th and 97th minutes to complete a 9-2 victory and squeeze through by the narrowest of margins. The other group, hosted in Bandung, was far less tense, with Thailand securing top spot with a match to spare.
A new competition overlapping with the Hyundai Asean Cup
Southeast Asia already had a biennial regional championship in place since 1996, currently known as the Hyundai Asean Cup, whose 16th edition was won by Vietnam in August. The arrival of the FIFA Asean Cup raised questions about its necessity and irritated the Asian Football Confederation, which was unimpressed by the world governing body announcing a tournament on its turf.
The project was unveiled in October the previous year during a regional meeting in Kuala Lumpur. Shortly afterwards, FIFA tried to lure China and India into the event to capture enormous audiences, but both countries declined. India preferred glamour friendlies against Brazil, Panama and Uruguay, while China ended up losing 5-0 at home to Palestine.
What the title means for Indonesia and for FIFA
Indonesia adds a trophy that had long eluded them: the country had never been crowned Southeast Asian champion. The victory carries special meaning for a nation hungry for regional success and for a local federation aligned with Infantino in the power struggle at FIFA.
For FIFA, the organizational success of the final offsets the doubts surrounding the tournament. If the gamble translates into votes, both Infantino and the Asean Cup are likely to return to the region. If not, this competition could follow the same path as its creator and fade into a passing episode.
Frequently asked questions about the FIFA Asean Cup
Frequently asked questions
Who won the inaugural FIFA Asean Cup?
Indonesia became champions by beating Thailand 4-2 on penalties after the final ended 2-2 following extra time. The victory was celebrated in front of 70,000 fans in Jakarta.
How is the FIFA Asean Cup different from the Hyundai Asean Cup?
The Hyundai Asean Cup is the region's biennial championship, held since 1996 and most recently won by Vietnam in August. The FIFA Asean Cup is a new competition driven by Gianni Infantino that debuted in Indonesia with eight teams and invited guests from outside the region.
Why does the Asean Cup matter for the FIFA presidential election?
The tournament is part of Gianni Infantino's strategy to secure backing from Asian federations before the vote. Asia remains divided, and the support of Indonesia, the host and champion, is valuable for the current FIFA president.