Indonesia beat Thailand 4-2 in the shootout after a 2-2 draw in the FIFA ASEAN Cup final. Coach John Herdman said the selected players had been the most clinical in practice.
Indonesia coach John Herdman said training performance determined who took penalties in Monday’s FIFA ASEAN Cup final. Indonesia beat Thailand 4-2 in the shootout after the match finished 2-2 following extra time in Jakarta.
Herdman said the players selected had been the most clinical in finishing during preparations. Four of the five chosen takers — Kevin Diks, Dean James, Elkan Baggott and Shayne Pattynama — converted their kicks. All four are defenders.
The coach said his staff had assessed players’ abilities in training and prepared a list in case the final went to penalties. Attacking players were left off the initial list because, Herdman said, they lacked confidence in practice. Other players who were in better form were given the opportunity.
Herdman said the team regularly trained for such situations and the preparation paid off. He added that momentum, mentality, fighting spirit and determination shaped the final. The victory gave Indonesia the title in the inaugural edition of the tournament.