The Indonesian U-16 national team lost 3-5 to the Australian national team

The Indonesian U-16 national team must recognize the superiority of Australia U-16 in the semifinals of the ASEAN U-16 Boys Championship or 2024 AFF U-16 Cup, Monday, July 1. The match which took place at the Manahan Stadium, Solo ended with a score of 3-5.

Garuda Muda's three goals were scored by Muhammad Zahaby Gholy in the 4th minute and 45+6 minute and Josh Holong in the 90+3 minute. Meanwhile, the five Socceroos goals were scored by Amlani Tatu in the 24th minute and 66th minute, Quin Macnicol in the 45+4 minute, and Anthony Didulica in the 71st minute and 86th minute.

With this result, the Indonesian U-16 National Team failed to defend the title won in the previous edition. Nova Arianto's team will still compete against Vietnam in the race for third place in the 2024 AFF U-16 Cup at Manahan Stadium, Solo, Thursday, July 4 starting at 15.30 WIB.

The First Round of the U-16 National Team

Muhammad Zahaby Gholy opened the scoring for the Indonesian U-16 National Team in the fourth minute. Matthew Ryan Baker's cross from the left side to the far post was followed by Gholy's header which goalkeeper Jai Ajanovic was unable to block.

The tempo of the game was fast at the start of the first half. The defense of the Indonesian U-16 National Team continues to come under pressure from the Australian players. M. Nur Ichsan performed brilliantly in goal. He recorded three saves, one of which was a golden opportunity when he and Jordan Graoroski faced one on one.

On the other hand, the Garuda Squad more often plays with quick counter attacks. Mirza Firjatullah had a golden opportunity in the 15th minute. However, his shot from inside the penalty box was blocked by goalkeeper Jai Ajanovic.

Australia was finally able to equalize in the 24th minute. Amlani Tatu is the antagonist actor for Garuda Muda. His free kick from the front of the penalty box managed to penetrate M. Nur Ichsan's goal.

The shortage of players made it difficult for the Indonesian U-16 National Team to maximize their game. Australia took advantage of this situation to continue attacking Garuda Muda's defense. Several opportunities were created, but the final solution was still not optimal.

In the first half of added time, 45+4 minutes to be precise, Quinn MacNicol scored the second goal for Australia, which put them in front. Three minutes later, it was the turn of the Indonesian U-16 National Team to score a goal. Muhammad Zahaby Gholy fired a hard kick using a wild ball from the chaos in the opponent's penalty box. Until halftime, the score remained 2-2.

Second round

Towards the second half, Australia, who had a superior number of players, increased the intensity of their attacks. As a result, Amlani Tatu put his name on the scoreboard again in the 66th minute. Matthew Baker misanticipated his opponent's pass so the ball fell at Tatu's feet who immediately responded with a first-time kick.

The Socceroos again increased their lead in the 71st minute. This time it was Anthony Didulica's turn to write his name on the scrollboard. Amlani Tatu's cutback pass was met by Didulica's hard horizontal kick which goalkeeper M Nur Ichsan couldn't anticipate.

Towards the final 10 minutes of the second half, Australia looked increasingly comfortable playing the ball. They continued to attack Garuda Muda's defense and finally the fifth goal appeared. Anthony Didulica fired a powerful header and ended up receiving Ivan Slunjski's pass in the 86th minute.

The Indonesian U-16 national team managed to reduce the position through Josh Halang's goal in the 90+3 minute and ended up receiving Fandi Ahmad's free kick. But Nova Arianto's team ran out of time to catch up. The score of 3-5 for Australia's victory lasted until the end.

The composition of the second player for the u16 national team

U-16 Indonesian National Team: Nur Ichsan; Putu Panju, Mathew Baker, Evandra Florasta, Muhamad Zahaby Gholy, Azriel Syahdan, Mochamad Mierza, Fadly Alberto, Daniel Alfrido, Fabio Azkairawan, Raihan Apriansyah

Coach: Nova Arianto

Australian U-16 national team: Jai Ajanovic; Malual Kuir, Jayden Necovski, Christian Puellella, Alexander Bolton, Jordan Graoroski, Nickolas Alfaro, Amlani Tatu, Alexander Garbowski, Jay Malts, Quin Macnicol

Coach: Bradley John Maloney