Beating Myanmar 3-1, Indonesia U-23 Football National Team In Top Standings And Surely Qualified For The 2021 Sea Games Semifinals

Indonesian national team footballer Egy Maulana Vikri. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian U-23 national team has qualified for the semifinals of the men's soccer SEA Games 2021 after beating Myanmar with a score of 3-1 in their last match in Group A at Viet Tri Stadium, Phu Tho, Vietnam, Sunday 15 May. In addition to making Indonesia advance to the last four of the 2021 SEA Games, the victory from Myanmar also brought the "Garuda Muda" squad to the top of the Group A standings with nine points from four matches.

As reported by Antara, the situation could change because Vietnam, which is in second place and has seven points, will only have its final match on Sunday 15 May against Timor Leste.

If they can beat their opponent, Vietnam, which has also confirmed a place in the semifinals, will lock the status of the leader of Group A.

The 2021 SEA Games men's soccer semifinal match will be held on Thursday 19 May at Viet Tri Stadium, Phu Tho, Vietnam. It is not yet known what the opponents of Indonesia and Vietnam will be in the top four because Group B will only have the final match on Monday, May 16.

In the match against Myanmar, Indonesia, which needed three points or a draw to qualify for the semifinals, appeared to be pressing since the beginning of the match.

Relying on the trio of Egy Maulana, Witan Sulaeman, and Irfan Jauhari in the attack line, coach Shin Tae-Yong's team managed to score a quick goal in the sixth minute through Egy Maulana's left foot.

Egy took advantage of the chaotic situation in the Myanmar penalty box. His kickball hit an opposing player before going into the net and it was his third goal at the 2021 SEA Games.

After winning one goal, Indonesia stepped up its attacks. Four minutes after opening the scoring, the “Garuda Muda” squad added to the coffers of goals this time thanks to Witan Sulaeman's kick. The ball from Witan's feet first touched the body of the Myanmar player, deceiving the opposing goalkeeper Pyae Phyo Thu.

After that, Myanmar had taken over the dominance and even scored a goal in the 28th minute via Win Naing Tun, but it was canceled by the referee for "offside".

Just before the break, in the 45+2 minute to be exact, Indonesia scored the third goal from Marselino Ferdinand's kick which again hit the opposing player before rolling into the goal. Indonesia was leading 3-0 before halftime.

In the second half, Myanmar was scattered trying to bring a goal. They also made things difficult for Indonesia with attacks on the "Garuda Muda" fort.

The decision resulted in a goal in the 66th minute from the contribution of striker Win Naing Tun. It was Win Naing Tun's third goal at the 2021 SEA Games.

There was no change in the situation after the goal even though both teams had opportunities. Indonesia won over Myanmar with a score of 3-1.