Indonesia finally put an end to its long-standing struggles in major finals after defeating Thailand to win the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. The Garuda squad secured the historic victory at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Monday night, October 5, following a tense encounter that remained undecided until the penalty shootout. The match finished 1-1 in normal time before both sides traded goals in extra time to make it 2-2.

The decisive shootout ultimately belonged to Indonesia. Every Indonesian penalty taker successfully converted their attempt, while Thailand failed with its final two kicks. Goalkeeper and the Indonesian defense held firm when the pressure was at its highest, allowing the hosts to claim the trophy in front of a passionate home crowd. The triumph also marked a significant milestone for John Herdman's side, which had carried the burden of several disappointing final appearances for years.

The victory was particularly meaningful because Thailand had been a difficult opponent for Indonesia throughout the past decade. Before this final, Thailand had recorded four victories and seven draws against Indonesia over their previous 10 meetings, leaving the Garuda without a win during that period. Indonesia's previous victory over Thailand had come in the first leg of the 2016 AFF Championship final, when Indonesia won 1-0 at Pakansari Stadium. Nearly a decade later, the wait finally ended on home soil.

Thailand has also been a recurring obstacle in Indonesia's pursuit of regional glory. Four of Indonesia's six AFF final appearances had come against Thailand, including the finals in 2000, 2002, 2016 and 2020. The broader history was equally frustrating, with Indonesia repeatedly reaching major finals only to fall short of the title. Gelora Bung Karno itself carried memories of disappointment, with Indonesia's last major championship victory at the stadium dating back to the 1987 SEA Games final against Malaysia.

The FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 victory now gives those painful memories a different ending. Indonesia had previously suffered final defeats against Thailand and Malaysia, including penalty-shootout losses and aggregate defeats in several major tournaments. By overcoming Thailand in another dramatic shootout at the same stadium, the Garuda finally broke a cycle that had lasted for decades. The triumph is more than just another regional title; it represents the closing of one of the most frustrating chapters in Indonesian football history.