Thailand Captain Chanathip Songkrasin Praises Indonesia's Team Progress

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup final will see Indonesia and Thailand meet again after nearly five years. Thailand national team captain Chanathip Songkrasin believes Indonesia now has a different level of strength.

The two teams last met in the 2020 AFF Cup final, which took place in December 2021. Thailand went on to win the title after defeating Indonesia 6-2 on aggregate.

“About three or four years ago, we last faced Indonesia in a final. If you ask whether Indonesia has changed a lot, I think all ASEAN countries have now developed very rapidly,” Chanathip said at a press conference on Sunday, October 4, 2026.

The player, known as Jay, also highlighted the continued development of Indonesia's squad composition. “Indonesia now has many players of Indonesian descent who also play in high-level leagues,” said the BG Pathum United player.

He said these developments had helped Indonesia improve its physical strength and technical abilities. Chanathip also welcomed the prospect of Thailand and Indonesia facing each other again after a long period without meeting.

“I feel happy, very happy indeed. Finally, tomorrow we can face them again after waiting a long time to meet,” he said.

Indonesia and Thailand will soon compete for the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup trophy. The final is scheduled to take place at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Main Stadium, Jakarta, on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 8 p.m. Jakarta time. (Diffa Sephiawardhani)