A controversial decision by Hong Kong referee Ng Kai Lam to dismiss Laos' Sopha Saysana when they led 1-0 against 10-men Indonesia robbed the underdogs of what would have been a famous victory.
Kai Lam was the same referee whose questionable decisions allowed Singapore to draw 2-2 with Malaysia from 0-2 down in the last 10 minutes of a friendly match at Jalan Besar in June.
In that match, he wrongly awarded the hosts a penalty and also blew for an indirect free-kick inside the Malaysian box for no apparent reason.
After Irfan Bachdim and Khampheng Sayavutthi of Laos spurned gilt-edged goalscoring chances early on, Laos were awarded a penalty in the 26th minute when Indonesia goalkeeper Endra Suprapto up-ended Vilayout Sayyabounsou in the box with a sliding last-man challenge.
It marked the end of Sayyabounsou's evening as Indonesia took ages to bring on substitute goalkeeper Wahyu Tri Nugroho before Sayavutthi converted the spot-kick four minutes later.
But in the 34th minute, it was Laos' turn to feel aggrieved as 19-year-old winger Saysana was sent off, though rather harshly, after missing his kick and making contact with Indonesia's Andik Vermansyah, who theatrically collapsed to the ground.
Indonesia forced the pace in the closing stages of the first half as Handi Ramdhan's downward header off a corner was deflected over by Laos goalkeeper Sengphachan Bounthisanh in the 43rd minute.
From the ensuing corner, Bambang Pamungkas watched his header cleared off by a defender on the line via the cross bar but Raphael Maitimo, whose place in the squad was only confirmed on Saturday, connected and floated a header into goal.
Laos, who looked dangerous in counter-attacks in the second half, were rewarded for their effort in the 69th minute when Keoviengpeth Lithideth ran past a defender and shot low past Wahyu.
However, Indonesia forced the draw when Laos keeper Bounthisanh failed to hold on to a shot allowing Vendry Mofu to pounce and score in the 90th minute.
It marked the end of Sayyabounsou's evening as Indonesia took ages to bring on substitute goalkeeper Wahyu Tri Nugroho before Sayavutthi converted the spot-kick four minutes later.
But in the 34th minute, it was Laos' turn to feel aggrieved as 19-year-old winger Saysana was sent off, though rather harshly, after missing his kick and making contact with Indonesia's Andik Vermansyah, who theatrically collapsed to the ground.
Indonesia forced the pace in the closing stages of the first half as Handi Ramdhan's downward header off a corner was deflected over by Laos goalkeeper Sengphachan Bounthisanh in the 43rd minute.
From the ensuing corner, Bambang Pamungkas watched his header cleared off by a defender on the line via the cross bar but Raphael Maitimo, whose place in the squad was only confirmed on Saturday, connected and floated a header into goal.
Laos, who looked dangerous in counter-attacks in the second half, were rewarded for their effort in the 69th minute when Keoviengpeth Lithideth ran past a defender and shot low past Wahyu.
However, Indonesia forced the draw when Laos keeper Bounthisanh failed to hold on to a shot allowing Vendry Mofu to pounce and score in the 90th minute.
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