Tournament surprise package Indonesia have one hand on the AFF Suzuki Cup after they came from behind to beat favourites Thailand 2-1 in the first of the two legged final.
The Garudas have ignited their fans with their stirring run during this tournament with a young team culled together by coach Alfred Riedl.
Tickets for the first leg of the final at the 30,000 capacity Pakansari Stadium in Bogor, outside Jakarta, were over-subscribed and quickly sold out.
The Thais are heavily fancied to win this edition of the biennial tournament and duly took the lead in the 33rd minute.
Teerasil Dangda took his tournament goal tally to six, heading home a cross from Theeraton Bunmathan to give the visitors a 1-0 halftime lead
Indonesia began the second half brightly, and drew level in the 65th minutes when Rizki Pora fired home from outside the box.
Rizki would turn provider five minutes later, passing on to Hansamu Pranata for Indonesia's second goal, which proved to be the winner.
While Indonesia are ahead on aggregate, Thailand's War Elephants will carry a crucial away goal into the second leg at Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium.
A 1-0 victory in the return leg would be good enough for Thailand to secure the Suzuki Cup for a record fifth time, while a draw will be sufficient for Indonesia to pull off one of the biggest surprises in the tournament's 20-year history.
The tournament decider on Saturday (Dec 17) will kick off at 6pm (Singapore/Hong Kong time).
- CNA/am
