Indonesia and Laos' draw sets multiple ASEAN Cup records

17-year-old midfielder Phousomboun Panyavong celebrates his goal in Laos' 3-3 draw with Indonesia in the 2024 ASEAN Cup group stage on Dec. 12, 2024. Photo by LFF

In the 9th minute, Phousomboun Panyavong scored for Laos, making him the youngest player to score in the ASEAN Cup (formerly AFF Cup) at the age of 17 years, 5 months, and 22 days. The previous record was held by Marselino Ferdinan, who was 18 years, 3 months, and 24 days old when he scored the decisive goal for Indonesia against the Philippines in the 2022 group stage.

Ferdinan also played in this match but was sent off in the 69th minute after receiving a second yellow card.

Following Panyavong’s goal, Kadek Arel equalized for Indonesia in the 12th minute, only for Phathana Phommathep to put Laos back in the lead just one minute later. Muhammad Ferarri then equalized again for Indonesia in the 18th minute, marking the final goal of the first half.

This match set a new record for the fastest four goals in ASEAN Cup history, all scored within 18 minutes. Additionally, it recorded the fastest three goals, achieved in just 13 minutes, two minutes faster than Singapore’s 4-1 victory over Laos in the 1998 group stage.

However, this match did not break the record for the most goals scored in the first half. The record remains Indonesia’s 13-1 victory over the Philippines in the 2002 group stage, where they scored seven goals in the first 45 minutes.

In the second half, Laos gained an advantage when Ferdinan was sent off. Despite conceding a goal to Ferarri, Laos equalized 3-3 with a strike from Peter Phanthavong in the 77th minute.

This marked the first time Laos had scored three goals in an ASEAN Cup match since their 3-4 loss to Singapore in the 2012 group stage.

Phathana Phommathep (no. 10) celebrates after scoring the second goal for Laos, in the 3-3 draw with Indonesia at ASEAN Cup on Dec. 12, 2024. Photo by LFF

Laos also set a new record for most goals scored against Indonesia, surpassing their previous best of two goals, which they had managed twice: in a 2-5 loss at the 1997 SEA Games and a 2-2 draw in the 2012 AFF Cup.

With four goals scored this year, Laos are just two goals shy of their highest-ever tally in a tournament, which was in 2012. Coach Ha Hyeok-jun and his team now have two more matches remaining, against the Philippines on Sunday and Myanmar on Dec. 18.

Once considered one of the weakest football teams in Southeast Asia, Laos have been making waves under coach Ha's leadership. In a friendly match before the ASEAN Cup, Laos drew 1-1 with Thailand, and in their opening match on Dec. 9, they held Vietnam to a 0-0 draw in the first half - a first for Laos since the 2008 tournament, before losing 1-4 in the second half.

The draw with Indonesia has been a significant confidence boost for Laos, despite Indonesia not bringing their strongest squad to the tournament.