Indonesia coach disappointed with referee after Vietnam loss

"Before the match, I had said that referee decisions could change the result of the tournament. This continued to be true in the match today " Shin said at a press conference after the final.

Vietnam defended their AFF U23 Championship with a 6-5 penalty shootout win against Indonesia at Rayong Stadium.

Shin alluded to a situation when Vietnamese defender Nguyen Hong Phuc elbowed the back of the head of Haykal Alhafiz in the second half but did not get a red card.

Indonesia had some dangerous counterattacks stopped with fouls, but the referee did not draw a card.

Footage captured the moment of the South Korean coach reacting angrily to the referee.

Coach Shin highly appreciated the fighting spirit of the Indonesian team. He had urged the players to try and win the game within 90 minutes because of limited substitution options.

The squad had only 15 players, not counting the three goalkeepers, with it not being possible to make a sixth substitution in extra time.

Indonesia lost two players at the beginning of the tournament, who were banned for six months by the Asian Football Confederation for fighting with Thai football players at SEA Games 32 in May.

"Vietnam has 23 players, so had an advantage over us," said coach Shin. "But the Indonesian players made a phenomenal effort over 120 minutes."