September 6, 2026 | 07:56 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian U20 national team secured qualification for the 2027 AFC U-20 Asian Cup finals after defeating Australia 2-0 in their final Group H qualifier at the Lao National Stadium KM16 in Laos on Sunday.
Indonesia's two goals were scored by Theodore Evan Leeming in the 28th minute and Amar Rayhan Brkic in the 90+2 minute.
Coached by Nova Arianto, the Garuda Muda squad delivered a command performance, maintaining firm control throughout the match.
Indonesia created their first opportunity in the 11th minute when Fabio Azkairawan collected a long pass from the back, though his delivery into the penalty box could not be controlled by Evan Leeming.
In the 25th minute, Amar worked his way down the left flank to deliver a cutback. However, the attempt was blocked by an Australian defender, resulting in a corner kick.
Muhamad Ibrah Ardiansyah met Zahaby Gholy’s corner kick with a header, but his effort flew off target. The breakthrough Indonesia had been pressing for arrived in the 28th minute. A clever pass from Gholy set up Evan Leeming, who timed his run to spring the offside trap.
Leeming chipped the ball over Australian goalkeeper Robert James Almeida Cook before heading his own rebound into the net to make it 1-0.
Five minutes before the break, Evan Leeming had another opening to extend the lead. Cutting in from the left flank, his left-footed strike cleared the crossbar. The first half concluded with Indonesia holding a 1-0 advantage.
Australia intensified their attack in the second half, but Indonesia's organized defensive line prevented the opposition from creating clear scoring chances.
Trevor Brian Morgan's side earned a dangerous free kick in the 83rd minute through Beckham Nicolez Soares Baker, but Indonesian goalkeeper Dafa Al Gasemi made a routine save.
As Australia pushed forward in search of an equalizer, Indonesia exploited the space on the counterattack to double their lead in the 92nd minute. Amar struck a right-footed shot past the goalkeeper at the near post to seal the 2-0 victory.
The victory placed Indonesia atop Group H with seven points from three matches, scoring five goals and keeping three clean sheets.
The result guarantees Indonesia direct qualification for the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup as group winners, rendering the final Group H fixture between Malaysia and Laos inconsequential for top spot.
The 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup will take place in China in March next year. The tournament serves as Asia's primary qualifying pathway for the 2027 FIFA U20 World Cup in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.
Lineups
Australia U20: Robert James Almeida Cook (GK), Lewis Domenic Marinucci, Archie Ian Trimboli, Danilo Treffiletti, Beckham Nicolez Soares Baker, Haine Anthony Eames (C), Alaat Abdul-Rahman, Arthur Oliveira De Lima, Jasper Thomas Macintosh Chipman, Alexander Jesse Bolton, Michael Anthony Pratezina.
Coach: Trevor Brian Morgan.
Indonesia U20: Dafa Al Gasemi (GK), Muhamad Ibrah Ardiansyah, I Putu Panji Apriawan (C), Arkhan Kaka Putra Purwanto, Muhamad Zahaby Gholy, Theodore Evan Leeming, Welber Jardim, Fabio Azkairawan, Aleandro Alan Maulana, Muhamad Al Gazani, Amar Rayhan Brkic.
Coach: Nova Arianto.
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