REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesia U-16 team leaves the arena of the ASEAN Boys 16 Championships with their heads held high. Muhammad Zahaby Gholy et al won the third place in the event that is often called the AFF U-16 Cup after a decisive 5-0 win over Vietnam U-16 at Manahan Stadium, Solo, Wednesday (2/7/2024) evening.
PSSI General Chairman Erick Thohir positively welcomed Garuda Muda's victory. Nova Arianto's squad was able to bounce back after failing to advance to the final round after defeating Australia 3-5 in a dramatic semi-final on Monday (1/7/2024).
“I am proud that the U-16 national team won against Vietnam with a huge number of goals. However, let's not be big-headed. It is precisely the defeat to Australia yesterday that should be part of self-introspection, from both players and coaches. Moreover, we go into this championship as defending champions,” Erick said.
He added a third place in the 2024 AFF U-16 Cup and the big victory scored by the young team is a capital heading into the games next October. The U-16 team will face Kuwait, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Australia in the 2025 U-17 Asia Cup Qualifier.
“In those games, we have to prove that our team is better than today. To be able to bounce back from a defeat, then score a lot, shows we have a winning mentality,” he explained.
From the beginning of the match, the U-16 team dominated the game. The attacks launched made Vietnam somewhat difficult. The U-16 team finally scored in the 45th minute. Receiving a breakthrough pass from Fandi Ahmad, Gholy took off a flat sheet lodged in the Vietnamese mesh.
Indonesia U-16 national team scored the second goal in 45+4 minutes. Receiving a pass from Josh Holong, Dafa Zaidan took a flat pass on the lip of the penalty box, the ball slid into the net without the Vietnamese goalkeeper's reach. The first half ended 2-0.
In the second half, the U-16 team scored the third goal in the 76th minute. Daniel Alfrido who replaced Fandi added to the goals with charming individual action.
In the 78th minute, the fourth goal of the U-16 team was created. Mierza Firjatullah, who replaced Josh, penetrated into the penalty box and pulled off a flat pull pass, the ball was kicked by Gholy into the Vietnamese goal.
The U-16 national team scored the fifth goal in the 82nd minute. Welcoming Mierza's pass, Alfrido volleyed back into the Vietnamese goal. The 5-0 score held until the long whistle sounded.
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