Indonesia's Opportunity To The Semifinals Of The Small U-23 AFF Cup After Being Rolled Up By Malaysia 1-2

Indonesian national team players warm up ahead of Malaysia in the 2023 AFF U-23 Cup Group B match. (Photo: Intagram @timas.indonesia)

JAKARTA The Indonesian U-23 National Team is difficult to reach the 2023 AFF U-23 Cup semifinals after losing to Malaysia in the preliminary phase.

Shin Tae-yong's troops lost 1-2 against Malaysia in the inaugural Group B match at Rayong Stadium, Thailand, Friday, August 18 evening WIB.

This result makes Indonesia a small chance for Indonesia to reach the semifinals.

However, the opportunity to go to the last four for Indonesia in this event remains open.

"Despite today's results, we will continue to fight and do our best until we finish this tournament," said Shin Tae-yong as quoted by the PSSI website.

Indonesia's best chance of reaching the semifinals is to win one of the best runner-up tickets. Indonesia needs a landslide victory over Timor Leste in the group's last match to take care of this opportunity.

This year's AFF Cup contest is divided into three groups. Each group winner will automatically qualify for the semifinals, accompanied by a team with the best runner-up status earlier.

The defeat against Malaysia made Indonesia occupy the lowest position in the best runner-up standings. Being in front of the Garuda Troops are the Philippines (second) and Thailand (first).

The biggest competitor for Indonesia to win the best runner-up is Cambodia from Group A. With Thailand's record of being able to beat Cambodia.

This assumption is because the result against the fourth-ranked team in Group A will not be considered in determining this ranking.