Review Of Indonesia U-23 AFF Cup Match Vs Malaysia: Duel With Hot Tension

The U-23 Indonesian national team will face Malaysia in the inaugural match of Group B of the 2023 AFF U-23 Cup. (Photo: Twitter/@TimnasIndonesia)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian U-23 national team (Timnas) will start their journey in the 2023 AFF U-23 Cup against Malaysia. This clash will certainly take place in the hot tension.

Clashes between Indonesia and Malaysia will be played at the Rayong Province Stadium, Thailand, on Friday, August 18. Kick off or kick off starting at 20.00 WIB.

Indonesia came to this event without several mainstay players Shin Tae-yong. Two of them are Rizky Ridho (Persija Jakarta) and Dzaky Asraf (PSM Makassar).

The two players were not released by their respective clubs on the grounds that the U-23 AFF Cup was not included in the FIFA calendar. In addition, they are needed by the club to navigate the ongoing Indonesian League 1.

Persija and PSM's decision not to release this player caused a wide polemic. However, Shin Tae-yong actually thinks that the U-23 AFF Cup should not exist because it is detrimental to the club.

The absence of the two names forced Shin Tae-yong to combine players from the 2023 SEA Games squad with players who failed to qualify for the 2023 U-20 World Cup and several debutants.

Indonesia U-23 itself came to this event with the status of the 2023 SEA Games gold medalists. Therefore, Indonesia will definitely be taken into account in this event.

On the other hand, since handling Indonesia since December 2019, Shin Tae-yong has faced Malaysia twice in various age groups. All the matches ended in wins.

The first meeting took place at the 2020 AFF Cup (2021). In the group round match, the Garuda Troops appeared strong in defeating the Malayan Tigers 4-1.

The next duel occurred in the 2020 SEA Games in the Philippines. In the bronze medal match, Indonesia won on penalties over Malaysia after a 1-1 draw in normal time.

Forecast of formation arrangements:

Indonesian U-23 national team (3-4-3): Ernando Ari; Kadek Arel, Muhammad Ferarri, Komang Teguh; Bagas Kaffa, Arkhan Fikri, Alfeandra Dewangga, Fengky Missa; Esal Sahrul, Ramadhan Sananta, Irfan Jahuri.

Coach: Shin Tae-yong

Malaysia U-23 (4-3-3): Rahadiazli Rahalim; Nik Umar Nik Aziz, Muhammad Harith Mohd Shahar, Ubaidullah Shamsul, Ruventiran Vengadean; Firdaus Hasnoddin, Alif Ikmalrizal, Hazim Abu Zaid; Aiman Afif, Najmuddin Akmal, Umar Hakeem.

Coach: E. Elavasan