Leg 1 2020 AFF Cup Semifinals: Equal, Singapore Vs Indonesia 1-1

Witan Sulaeman scored a beautiful goal against Singapore (Photo: PSSI)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team will face host Singapore in the first leg of the 2020 AFF Cup semifinals at the National Stadium, Wednesday night. Both teams played equally strong 1-1.

Applying the 5-4-1 scheme like when they played against Vietnam in the group stage, Indonesia seemed to want to play defensively. In fact, from the first minute, Shin Tae-yong's troops immediately built an attack and produced a corner kick.

However, a corner kick from Irfan Jaya still cannot be maximized into a mature opportunity. Singapore even turned to attack. A clean sweep from Alfeanda Dewangga saved Nadeo Argawinata's goal from being threatened.

Irfan Jaya (Photo: PSSI)

Although it looked like he was still playing cautiously, Indonesia's efforts again resulted in a corner kick in the 11th minute. Arhan Pratama's attempt successfully threatened the Singapore goal, but the opposing player was able to secure it again.

At minute 28, the goal that the Garuda supporters had been waiting for finally arrived. Asnawi Mangkualam's one-two bait with Witan Sulaeman resulted in a beautiful goal for Indonesia.

The Polish League club player, Lechia Gdansk, did not waste the golden opportunity that was in front of his eyes by bringing Indonesia 1-0 up. This score lasted until halftime.

The collaboration between Asnawi and Witan successfully opened the first goal for Indonesia. ❤️🇮🇩Keep fighting, Garuda! #KitaGaruda #ReachingDreams #EmergingStrongerTogether #TimnasDay pic.twitter.com/vvt86h9g4y

— PSSI (@PSSI) December 22, 2021

In the second half, Singapore did more attacks. Meanwhile, Indonesia focuses on defending while occasionally looking for opportunities.

70 minutes, Ikhsan Fandi Ahmad broke into Nadeo's goal after receiving a beautiful pass. The Lions equalized 1-1.

Two minutes later, a Singapore player's header hit the Indonesian goalpost. Fachruddin Wahyudi Aryanto managed to do a sweep.

Indonesia tried to retaliate. The efforts of Hanis Saghara Putra can still be secured by the Singapore goalkeeper. The 1-1 position did not change until the referee blew the long whistle signaling the game was over.

Furthermore, the second leg of the AFF Cup semifinal between the Indonesian national team and Singapore will take place next Saturday. The other semifinals between Vietnam and Thailand will be held on December 23 and 26.