2025 U-17 Asian Cup Qualification: Mathew Baker's Single Goal Brings Indonesia To Win Over Kuwait

Mathew Baker scored Indonesia U-17's single goal against Kuwait U-17 (Instagram/@timasindonesia).

JAKARTA - The U-17 Indonesian national team managed to win in the inaugural match of the 2025 U-17 World Cup Qualification against Kuwait U-17 at Abdullah Alkhalifa Alsabah Stadium, Kuwait, Wednesday, October 23, 2024, WIB night. The victory of Garuda Muda was achieved through Mathew Baker's single goal.

The U-17 Indonesian national team underwent the first match of Group G of the 2025 U-17 Asian Cup Qualification with guest status.

However, Garuda Muda's confidence did not recede in front of the host supporters. Evidently, throughout the match Nova Arianto's team were able to dominate the game.

Indonesia U-17's pressure bore sweet fruit through a quick goal that occurred in the eighth minute. Through Mathew Baker's header taking advantage of Zahaby Gholy's corner, Garuda Muda took the lead 1-0.

This advantage continues to be used by Nova Arianto's team to continue to press in order to add goals. Although a number of opportunities were created, the score did not change until the first half was over.

Continued in the second half, the Indonesian U-17 national team tried to implement an efficient game to double the number. On the other hand, Kuwait also continued to try to bang on the Garuda Muda goal defense to equalize.

However, until the 65th minute, the strong defense of the U-17 Indonesian national team was still difficult for the hosts to penetrate. Meanwhile, Garuda Muda occasionally gets a chance from a counter-attack scheme.

Until the 75th minute, still no goals were scored even though both teams continued to create several chances.

Nova Arianto, coach of the U-17 Indonesian national team, made one change in the middle of the second half. He issued Fadly Alberto and included Fandi Ahmad.

The refreshment made Garuda Muda appear more solid, especially in containing the onslaught of Kuwait.

Dafa Al Gasemi, who was confident under the bar, made an important save in the 85th minute to prevent Kuwait from scoring an equalizer.

In the remaining five minutes of normal time, Indonesia U-17 still has a threatening opportunity. Zahaby Gholy created opportunities through speculative shots remotely, but his efforts were still denied by the Kuwaiti goalkeeper, Ahmad Alshawaf.

The opportunity came again from Mathew Baker's feet who penetrated to the Kuwait penalty box. Unfortunately, the finishing was finally blocked by the opposing goalkeeper.

Although Kuwait continues to strive to equalize, their onslaught is always broken in the defense of the U-17 Indonesian national team until the end of the match.

The 1-0 score then belonged to the U-17 Indonesian national team after full time. This victory then brought Garuda Muda to three valuable points and increased their chances of qualifying for the 2025 U-17 Asian Cup finals.