Indonesia Dominates Maldives with 4-0 Win in U-20 Asian Cup Qualifier
Jakarta. Indonesia's U-20 team delivered a commanding second-half performance to secure a 4-0 victory against the Maldives in their opening match of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers at Madya Stadium, Jakarta, on Wednesday evening.
After a goalless first half filled with missed chances, Indonesia found their rhythm after the break, netting four goals through Aditya Warman, Figo Dennis, Toni Firmansyah, and Jens Raven, much to the delight of the home crowd.
Coach Indra Sjafri, frustrated by the lack of finishing in the first 45 minutes, made three strategic substitutions at halftime -- bringing on Figo Dennis, Meshaal Ahmzah, and Muhamad Ragil to bolster the attack. The changes quickly paid off.
Indonesia broke the deadlock just seven minutes into the second half. Aditya Warman volleyed a perfectly placed pass from Dony Tri Pamungkas into the top corner, leaving Maldivian goalkeeper Mohamed Yaameen with no chance.
Just two minutes later, Figo Dennis doubled the lead with a stunning first-time shot from outside the penalty area. The strike caught Yaameen off guard, as the ball flew into the back of the net.
Indonesia’s third goal came only five minutes later, following a mistake by the Maldivian goalkeeper. A seemingly harmless free-kick from Toni Firmansyah slipped through Yaameen’s fingers after he misjudged the flight of the ball, distracted by a cluster of Indonesian players attempting to head it.
Naturalized player Jens Raven sealed the victory in the 60th minute, slotting home from close range after a corner from Toni was poorly cleared by the Maldivian defense.
In an earlier Group F match held at the same venue, Yemen defeated Timor Leste 3-1.
Indonesia’s next match will be against Timor Leste on Friday, following the Maldives' clash with Yemen.
Indonesia Starting XI: Ikram Algiffari (G), Kadek Arel Priatna, Muhammad Alfharezzi Buffon, Muhammad Iqbal Gwijangge, Aditya Warman, Toni Firmansyah, Muhammad Mufli Hidayat, Dony Tri Pamungkas, Arlyansyah Abdulmanan, Riski Afrisal, Jens Raven.
Maldives Starting XI: Mohamed Yaameen, Ahmed Nawaf Fauzy, Mohamed Aihan Anwar, Ish Aafu Firag, Mohamed Aiman Ali, Ahzam Rasheed, Shanaan Rashaad, Abdula Looth Ibrahim, Rashnan Mohamed, Musdhan Hasan, Mohamed Sham Hasan.
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