Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, where the battle took place
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| Event | 2023 SEA Games Gold medal match | ||||||
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| After extra time Indonesia won 5–2 after extra time. | |||||||
| Date | 16 May 2023 | ||||||
| Venue | Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia | ||||||
| Man of the Match | None | ||||||
| Referee | Qasim Al-Hatmi (Oman) | ||||||
| Attendance | 28,133 | ||||||
| Weather | Fair 30 °C (86 °F) | ||||||
The men's association football gold medal match of the 2023 SEA Games was contested by Indonesia and Thailand at the Olympic StadiuminPhnom Penh on 16 May 2023. Omani referee Qasim Al-Hatmi issued a SEA Games record 13 yellow cards and 9 red cards, setting a new record for cautions at any SEA Games tournament.
Because of this, this match was also have a nick name is "Battle of Phnom Penh" (Khmer: សមរភូមិភ្នំពេញ, Indonesian: Pertempuran Phnom Penh, Thai: การต่อสู้ของพนมเปญ).
The first incident occurred when Al Hatmi blew the whistle during the injury time of the second half. At that time Indonesia had a 2–1 lead and were ready to celebrate their victory and championship title. When the whistle sounded, the Indonesian side coach, Indra Sjafri, started celebrating with the staff because they mistook the long blow for a full-time signal. However, Al Hatmi had actually intended to signal a free kick for Thailand. After the premature celebrations settled down, the free kick that followed led to Thailand striker Yotsakorn Burapha scoring an equalizer goal, thereby making the score 2–2. Indonesian coaches and players began criticizing the referee's decision, and Indonesian media claims that Al Hatmi gave an unfair advantage to the opponent with the seven-minute additional time.[1]
After the extra time match started, Indonesian player Irfan Jauhari scored a goal in the 91st minute, making the score 3–2 and giving back Indonesia the lead. The goal was again followed by unrest in the benches. In the videos that were shown, Indonesia's team manager Sumardji, was beaten and punched by several Thai coaching staff and players which resulted in Sumardji's face bleeding from the nose and mouth.[2] As a result of the incident, the referee issued several red cards to the Thailand players and coaching staff. Indonesia went on to score two more goals and lose none during the remaining duration of extra time, and conquer the championship title after 32 years of drought.[3]
Indonesia  | 5–2 (a.e.t.) |  Thailand |
|---|---|---|
 91' 107' 120' |
Report |
90+10' |
Attendance: 28,133
Referee: Qasim Al-Hatmi (Oman)
*Indonesia team manager Sumardji received a red card. **3 assistant coaches of Thailand received red cards.
