The dramatic final of the U-22 men's football match at the 2023 SEA Games between Indonesia and Thailand ended in a 5-2 victory for the Garuda team. This win marked the end of a 32-year gold medal drought for Indonesia.
Indonesia scored two goals in the first half, both by Ramadhan Sananta. Thailand vehemently protested the second goal, claiming it was not fair play. The referee had stopped the game because Witan Sulaiman appeared to be injured. An Indonesian player then passed the ball to Thailand, but Ramadhan intercepted and scored. Despite the protests, the referee upheld the goal.
Thailand equalized in the second half with goals from Anan Yongsangwal and Yotsakorn Burapham, making the score 2-2.
In extra time, Indonesia scored again through Irfan Jauhari, Fajar Fatur Rahman, and Beckham Putra.
Extra time was heated, with the referee issuing numerous red cards due to clashes between players and officials from both teams. The Indonesian national team manager, Sumardji, was punched by a Thai official.
A total of 17 yellow cards and 6 red cards were issued by the referee that night at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh.
This dramatic final concluded the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia. So, who were the top scorers throughout the tournament?
According to Bola.net, three players scored 5 goals each: Nguyen Van Tung (Vietnam), M Fajar Fathur Rahman (Indonesia), and Ramadhan Sananta (Indonesia).
Saravanan Thirumurugan (Malaysia), Teerasak Poeiphimai (Thailand), and Yotsakorn Burapha (Thailand) each scored 4 goals.
Several players from different countries scored 2 goals each, indicating a relatively balanced distribution of goals.
Here's a list of the top scorers in the U-22 SEA Games football matches:
* 5 goals:
* Nguyen Van Tung (Vietnam)
* M Fajar Fathur Rahman (Indonesia)
* Ramadhan Sananta (Indonesia)
* 4 goals:
* Saravanan Thirumurugan (Malaysia)
* Teerasak Poeiphimai (Thailand)
* Yotsakorn Burapha (Thailand)
* 3 goals:
* Theit Hein Soe (Myanmar)
* Anan Yodsangwal (Thailand)
* 2 goals:
* Chou Sinti (Cambodia)
* Marselino Ferdinan (Indonesia)
* Titan Agung (Indonesia)
* Achitpol Keereerom (Thailand)
* Ho Van Cuon (Vietnam)
* Beckham Putra (Indonesia)
* Irfan Jauhari (Indonesia)