2024 AFF U-19 Cup: Indonesia U-19 Aims For Perfect Record In Group Last Match

JAKARTA - The U-19 Indonesian national team will play the last match of Group A of the 2024 AFF U-19 Cup against Timor Leste U-19 at Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Surabaya, Tuesday, July 23, 2024.

Indra Sjafri's troops have a perfect record of closing the group phase with wins in all matches as well as stepping into the semifinals as group winners.

Garuda Muda was indeed favored in the meeting against Timor Leste U-19. In addition to appearing in front of its own supporters, Indonesia U-19 also excels in the meeting record.

The U-19 Indonesian national team has always won throughout clashes with Timor Leste U-19 in a similar event.

They have met twice in the AFF U-19 Cup, namely in 2013 and 2019. Of the two encounters, Indonesia U-19 has always won and has never conceded.

The first meeting took place in the semifinals of the 2013 AFF U-19 Cup. At that time, Indonesia U-19 won 2-0 over Timor Leste U-19 through goals from Ilham Udin Armaiyn and Muhammad Hargianto.

The last clash occurred in the group stage of the 2019 AFF U-19 Cup. In that match, Indonesia U-19 even won 4-0 over Timor Leste U-19.

David Maulana, Salman Alfarid, Beckham Putra, and Sutan Zico contributed the four goals of Garuda Muda.

However, Indra Sjafri emphasized that his students should not be happy to see the record.

"Timor Leste U-19, of course, we must still be aware. They have players with good natural talent," said Indra.

Indra Sjafri further revealed that he had prepared a number of plans to play in order to achieve the target of a perfect victory in the group phase.

"There are two things we might anticipate, from the possibilities of our response to the match against Timor Leste U-19."

"One, do they serve us with open matches because they need to win. Or, they were realistic like Cambodia U-19 yesterday serving us who played deep defending."

"We made a response in the training session for how this team could melt more," said the coach from West Sumatra.

The 61-year-old coach said that his troops were ready for whatever the opponent's game scheme was. Indonesia U-19 is also not afraid to face Timor Leste U-19, which plays closed with tight defense.

Experience when winning the match against Cambodia U-19 which played a meeting with a score of 2-0 also increased the confidence of the current players.

"With our experience yesterday, I think the children are more confident to be able to face the teams that play with deep defending," he said.

Despite the attack plan, Indra Sjafri also did not forget the defense sector. He wants goal productivity and clean sheet records thanks to solid defense to remain consistent.

"We evaluate the defense, there should be no conceding. For attacks we also have to score a lot of goals. We must be able to score goals," said Indra.

Indonesia U-19 actually only needs a draw to qualify for the semifinals. However, Garuda Muda is still eyeing victory in order to maintain a perfect winning record in the group phase.

Previously, Indonesia U-19 won two wins against the Philippines U-19 (6-0) and Cambodia U-19 (2-0).