2022 AFF Cup: Indonesian National Team Continuing Hegemony Over Cambodia

The Indonesian national team defeated Cambodia in the first match of the 2022 AFF Cup at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Friday, December 23. (Photo: Twitter/@PSSI)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team successfully secured the first three points of the 2022 AFF Cup group phase after beating Cambodia 2-1 at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Senayan, Jakarta, Friday, December 23, 2022.

This victory not only bore fruit on three points for Indonesia. The Garuda squad also continued the hegemony over Cambodia by never losing to the rival.

In this match, Indonesia should have taken the lead when the match went two minutes through Egy Maulana Vikri's goal. However, the referee annulled the goal because the 22-year-old player had already been offside.

Egy then scored a legal goal five minutes later. He managed to maximize Arhan Pratama's pass to break into the opponent's goal with a volley.

However, just eight minutes later, Cambodia immediately scored a reply. Kriya Sareth listed his name on the scoreboard after beating Nadeo Argawinata with a header using a corner.

Ten minutes before halftime, the Garuda squad took the lead. Now it's Witan Sulaeman's turn to shake his opponent's net thanks to a measured pass sent by Marselino Ferdinand.

Despite dominating the second half of the match, Indonesia was unable to increase the score. However, this result can already be a good capital for Indonesia, which is working on its inaugural title at this year's AFF Cup.

After fighting Cambodia, Indonesia will have their next three matches, one home against Thailand in December and two away against Brunei and the Philippines.

Garuda troops have not tasted the championship title once from the 13 editions of the AFF Cup that have been held. So far, the Indonesian national team has only occupied the runner-up position six times, including the latest in 2020.

Lineup

Indonesia (4-3-3): Nadeo Argawinata; Asnawi Mangkualam, Fachruddin Aryanto, Jordi Amat, Pratama Arhan; Marselino Ferdinand, Ricky Kambuaya, Marc Klok; Egy Maulana Vikri, Muhammad Rafli, Witan Sulaeman.

Cambodia (5-2-3): Kee Soksela; Choun Chanchav, Tes Sambath, Soeuy Visal, Saret Kriya, Seut Baraing; In Sodovid, Orn Chanpolin; Lim Pisoth, Sieng Chanthea, Reung Bunheing.