Jakarta, ThedailyID — Indonesia U-17 national team fell to a narrow 0-1 defeat against Malaysia U-17 national team in their Group A match of the AFF U-17 Championship on April 17, 2026. The match was held at Gelora Joko Samudro Stadium and showcased a tight, physical contest between the two sides.
Malaysia secured all three points through a 33rd-minute goal from Mohammad Fareez. He met a well-delivered corner from Nur Azam with a header that beat goalkeeper Noah Leo Duvert and found the left corner of the net.
Indonesia started the game with confidence and controlled possession in the early minutes. They pressed Malaysia’s backline and tried to dictate the tempo, but struggled to turn that dominance into clear scoring chances.
Malaysia, meanwhile, looked more dangerous on quick transitions. In the second minute, Ahmad Yusuf broke through the defensive line, but Noah Leo reacted quickly to deny what could have been an early goal.
The home side, coached by Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto, continued to build patiently from the back. However, Malaysia’s compact defensive shape made it difficult to find space in the final third.
Indonesia’s best chances in the first half came from distance. Attempts from Pandu Aryo and Keanu Senjaya both went wide despite good build-up play leading to the shots.
Malaysia nearly scored again from a set piece in the 18th minute. Another corner caused problems, but Noah Leo managed to secure the ball and keep Indonesia in the match.
After taking the lead, Malaysia focused on maintaining their defensive structure. Indonesia pushed forward before halftime but lacked precision in their final passes and finishing.
Indonesia came out stronger after the break and increased the tempo of the game. Sean Rahman became a key attacking outlet, creating multiple chances but failing to convert them into goals.
One of his best opportunities came in the 53rd minute, but his shot missed the target. He had another clear chance in the 69th minute, yet again failed to find the net.
Malaysia continued to threaten through set pieces and aerial duels. A header from Ahmad Muzakif in the 72nd minute forced another important save from Noah Leo, who kept Indonesia’s hopes alive.
The match grew more intense in the final minutes as both teams engaged in physical duels. Indonesia pushed for a late equalizer, with substitute Girly Andrade coming closest in the 86th minute, but his long-range effort went just over the crossbar.
The score remained 1-0 until the final whistle, sealing a crucial win for Malaysia. The result places Malaysia second in Group A, while Indonesia sits third and must secure points in the next match to stay competitive.
Indonesia will face Vietnam U-17 national team on April 19, 2026, at Gelora Delta Stadium. Meanwhile, Malaysia will take on Timor-Leste U-17 national team as the group stage continues.
