U-17 2023 Asian Cup Qualifiers Results: Palestinian Bungkam 2-0, Indonesia Faced The Malaysian Contra Contours Match

Habil Abdillah Yafi, scored the second goal of the U-17 national team against the Palestinians (Instagram @PSSI)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian U-17 national team won the top of the Group B qualification Group U-17 2023 from Malaysia after beating Palestine 2-0 in the match at Pakansari Stadium, Cibinong, Bogor, Friday night.

The contribution of goals from Palestinian defender Ibrahim Alfuqaha and left-back Habil Abdillah Yafi made Indonesia collect nine points from three matches.

Reporting from Antara, Indonesia pressed from the start of the match. As a result, the squad nicknamed Garuda Asia took the lead in the eighth minute via an own goal by Palestinian defender Ibrahim Alfuqaha.

After that, Indonesia continued to provide problems for the Palestinian defense. In the 13th minute, for example, Muhammad Kafiatur's kick hit the crossbar.

Disasters come for Indonesia ahead of the 40th minute with the injury of the captain and centre-back Muhammad Iqbal Gwijangge. Iqbal was later replaced by Mohamad Andre Pangestu.

Leading one goal, Indonesia did not relax the attack on the opponent's fort in the second half. The strategy resulted in a goal in the 51st minute when Habil Abdillah Yafi's shot from outside the penalty box curled into the Palestinian goal.

One minute later, Palestine had the opportunity to reduce the position through a penalty kick. A kick of 12 fits was given by Qatar referee Mohammed Ahmed Al-Shammari because Indonesian goalkeeper Andrika Fathir Rachman violated Palestinian player Ahmed Sulaiman.

Musam Alshaer stepped forward as the penalty executor, but the ball hit the bar and got out of the net. Musam threw the ball back and scored a goal, but the referee didn't pass it.

After that, Indonesia was under pressure from Palestine. But the "Garuda Asia" team was able to maintain their lead and lock down the 2-0 win.

With this result, the Bima Sakti coach's squad outperformed Malaysia, which pocketed seven points from three matches.

Because three other teams, namely the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Guam and Palestine, certainly did not qualify, the two best teams in Group B were contested by Indonesia and Malaysia.

The last match between Group B and Malaysia on Sunday the day after tomorrow at Pakansari Stadium will also be a determinant. Indonesia only needs the results of the match to become the group winner.

If you become a group champion, Indonesia will advance directly to the 2023 U-17 Asian Cup.

However, if you lose to Malaysia, Indonesia will be ranked second and qualified for the 2023 U-17 Asian Cup can only be achieved if you are included as the six best runners ups out of 10 groups in qualifying.

The following is the line-up for both teams.

The Palestinian U-17 national team: Mohammed Abushaqra-pg, Mohanad Nouri, Ibrahim Alfuqaha, Mohammed Manassra (captain), Tareq Awawda, Husam Alshaer, Mohammed Zoghayyer, Mohammed Abushaqra, Mahmoud Radi, Ahmed Haremda, Ahmed Sulaiman, Baraa Rabei.

Indonesian U-17 national team: Andrika Fathir Rachman-pg, Habil Abdillah Yafi, Muhammad Iqbal Gwijangge (captain), Sulthan Zaky Pramana, Rizdjar Subagja, Mokhamad Hanif Ramadhan, Muhammad Narendra Tegar, Jehan Pahlevi, Muhammad Kafiatur Rizky, Muhammad Riski Afrisal, Arkhan Kaka.

Tim U17 Indonesia berhasil unggul 0-2 atas Tim U17 Palestina.Tetap fokus untuk laga selanjutnya, Garuda Asia! 🦅#KitaGaruda pic.twitter.com/ycQgoLoBql

— PSSI (@PSSI) October 7, 2022