Indonesia Falters in Opening Match Against Laos in 2026 AFC U-23 Qualifiers
Indonesia's U-23 national team had a disappointing start to their 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification campaign after being held to a goalless draw by Laos. Despite playing at home in Sidoarjo and dominating possession throughout the match, the Garuda Muda squad failed to convert their chances into goals. The result placed Indonesia in second place in Group J, collecting just one point—putting them in a difficult position early in the qualifying round.
Statistically, Indonesia controlled the game with a massive 83% ball possession and recorded 25 shots, yet only five were on target. Laos, on the other hand, managed a single shot on target and struggled to build any offensive momentum. The disparity in passing accuracy was also notable, with Indonesia completing over 500 passes compared to just 102 accurate passes from the Laotian side. However, these numbers did not reflect on the scoreboard, revealing a persistent issue in Indonesia's attacking efficiency.
This draw extends Indonesia's scoreless run to two consecutive matches, following their 1-0 defeat to Vietnam in the final of the 2025 AFF U-23 Championship. Despite reinforcements like Rafael Struick being brought in for the qualifiers, the team’s front line continues to struggle. The lack of finishing power remains a concern for head coach Gerald Vanenburg, as the team fails to make their dominance in possession and play count where it matters most.
With South Korea thrashing Macau 5-0 in their opening match, Indonesia now faces the pressure of not just winning their next two games against Macau and South Korea, but doing so with convincing scorelines. Only the group winners qualify automatically for the final tournament in Saudi Arabia, while the best four runners-up from all groups will have to rely on goal difference. This means Indonesia must be both clinical and strategic moving forward to keep their qualification hopes alive.
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