In the 2016 AFF Cup, Thailand scored 12 goals in 5 matches from the group stage to the two-legged semi-final. Indonesia, their opponent in the final, scored fewer goals, netting 10 goals in 5 matches. In Group A, Thailand topped the group with 6 goals. They then easily defeated Myanmar 6-0 on aggregate in the semi-final. Indonesia, as Group A runner-up, also scored 6 goals in the group stage, but only managed 4 goals in the semi-final.
A unique fact in the AFF Cup, especially leading up to the final, is that teams with high goal-scoring productivity have almost always failed to win the trophy. Indonesia (1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2010), Thailand (2008, 2012), Malaysia (1996), and Vietnam (2014) have all experienced this "curse."
In 2016, this was the third time the War Elephants reached the AFF Cup final with higher goal productivity than their opponents before the final match. If this unique fact repeats itself, Indonesia would have a chance to win the championship for the first time.