Relive the Epic 2017 SEA Games Football Finals and Key Moments
I still remember that electric Wednesday evening on May 5th, 2017, when the Ninoy Aquino Stadium transformed into a cauldron of passion and national pride. The air was thick with anticipation as 7:30 p.m. approached, and I found myself among 4,500 spectators who had gathered to witness what would become one of the most memorable SEA Games football finals in recent history. As someone who's covered Southeast Asian football for over a decade, I've seen my fair share of thrilling matches, but this particular final between Thailand and Indonesia had that special feeling right from the warm-ups. The energy in the stadium was absolutely palpable, with fans from both nations creating an atmosphere that reminded me why football remains the region's most beloved sport.
The match started at a frenetic pace that caught even seasoned observers like myself by surprise. Thailand, defending champions and regional powerhouse, came out with their characteristic possession-based style, completing an impressive 89% of their passes in the opening 15 minutes. Indonesia, however, had clearly done their homework, pressing high and disrupting Thailand's rhythm in a way I hadn't seen many teams do successfully. What struck me most during those opening exchanges was how both teams seemed to understand the historical significance of this encounter - this wasn't just about gold medals, but about national pride and regional footballing supremacy. I recall thinking to myself that we were witnessing something special unfold, the kind of match that would be talked about for years to come.
Around the 28th minute, the stadium erupted when Indonesia's Febri Haryadi, a player I've always admired for his work rate, latched onto a clever through ball and slotted it past the Thai goalkeeper. The Indonesian supporters behind me went absolutely wild, their cheers so deafening I could feel the stadium structure vibrating. What many casual observers might not realize is how significant that goal was - it marked the first time Thailand had trailed in the tournament, testing their championship mentality in a way they hadn't experienced until that moment. From my vantage point in the press box, I could see the momentary panic in the Thai players' eyes, but to their credit, they regrouped quickly, showing the composure that has made them Southeast Asia's dominant force in recent years.
The second half brought what I consider one of the most dramatic turnarounds I've witnessed in my career covering Southeast Asian football. Thailand's coach made a tactical substitution that initially puzzled me - bringing on midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin when they needed a goal. But how wrong I was to doubt that decision! Chanathip completely changed the game's dynamics, his nimble footwork and vision creating spaces that simply didn't exist before. The equalizer came in the 67th minute, and I remember scribbling furiously in my notebook about how Thailand's patience had finally paid off. The goal itself was a thing of beauty - a flowing move involving 14 passes that sliced through Indonesia's previously organized defense.
As the match entered its final stages, the intensity reached levels I've rarely seen, even in professional league matches. Both teams had clear chances to win it in regulation time - Thailand hitting the crossbar in the 83rd minute, Indonesia forcing a spectacular save in the 89th. What impressed me most was how both sets of players maintained their technical quality despite the enormous pressure and visibly fading energy levels. The match eventually went to extra time, and I have to admit, by this point my professional objectivity was slipping - I found myself completely captivated by the drama unfolding before me, just like every other fan in the stadium.
The penalty shootout that decided the championship remains etched in my memory with crystal clarity. The stadium fell into an eerie silence before each kick, broken only by the collective gasp or roar following each outcome. Thailand ultimately prevailed 5-4 in the shootout, but what struck me was how both teams embraced afterward - a genuine display of sportsmanship that sometimes gets lost in high-stakes matches. I've covered football across Asia for fifteen years, and I can confidently say this was among the top three most compelling matches I've ever witnessed live. The quality, the drama, the emotional rollercoaster - it had everything that makes football the beautiful game.
Looking back, that 2017 final represented more than just another gold medal for Thailand's growing collection. It showcased the rapid development of Southeast Asian football on the international stage. The technical ability, tactical sophistication, and mental fortitude displayed by both teams signaled that the region's football was evolving in exciting ways. As I filed my match report that night, I found myself feeling optimistic about the future of the sport in the region. While Thailand celebrated their hard-fought victory, the real winner that evening was Southeast Asian football itself, proving it could produce matches of genuine quality and unforgettable drama. Even now, years later, when I meet fellow football enthusiasts, that 2017 final always comes up in conversation - a testament to its enduring place in the region's sporting consciousness.
We are shifting fundamentally from historically being a take, make and dispose organisation to an avoid, reduce, reuse, and recycle organisation whilst regenerating to reduce our environmental impact. We see significant potential in this space for our operations and for our industry, not only to reduce waste and improve resource use efficiency, but to transform our view of the finite resources in our care.
Looking to the Future
By 2022, we will establish a pilot for circularity at our Goonoo feedlot that builds on our current initiatives in water, manure and local sourcing. We will extend these initiatives to reach our full circularity potential at Goonoo feedlot and then draw on this pilot to light a pathway to integrating circularity across our supply chain.
The quality of our product and ongoing health of our business is intrinsically linked to healthy and functioning ecosystems. We recognise our potential to play our part in reversing the decline in biodiversity, building soil health and protecting key ecosystems in our care. This theme extends on the core initiatives and practices already embedded in our business including our sustainable stocking strategy and our long-standing best practice Rangelands Management program, to a more a holistic approach to our landscape.
We are the custodians of a significant natural asset that extends across 6.4 million hectares in some of the most remote parts of Australia. Building a strong foundation of condition assessment will be fundamental to mapping out a successful pathway to improving the health of the landscape and to drive growth in the value of our Natural Capital.
Our Commitment
We will work with Accounting for Nature to develop a scientifically robust and certifiable framework to measure and report on the condition of natural capital, including biodiversity, across AACo’s assets by 2023. We will apply that framework to baseline priority assets by 2024.
Looking to the Future
By 2030 we will improve landscape and soil health by increasing the percentage of our estate achieving greater than 50% persistent groundcover with regional targets of:
– Savannah and Tropics – 90% of land achieving >50% cover
– Sub-tropics – 80% of land achieving >50% perennial cover
– Grasslands – 80% of land achieving >50% cover
– Desert country – 60% of land achieving >50% cover
