Erick Thohir Praises Indonesia’s Young Garuda After Beating Australia, Sets Bigger Asian Cup Target

Indonesia’s under-20 team secured its place at the 2027 AFC U-20 Asian Cup by beating Australia 2-0 in the final Group H match at New Laos National Stadium on Sunday, September 6, 2026.

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Congratulations to the U-20 national team for securing a place in the final round of the 2027 U-20 Asian Cup in China. I am proud of the efforts of all the players, coaches and officials who have worked hard since the start of qualifying, until Indonesia finally became the leader of Group H.

The result also put the Garuda Muda at the top of the group with seven points. Theodore Evan Leeming opened the scoring in the 28th minute, while Amar Brkic added Indonesia’s second goal in the third minute of stoppage time.

PSSI chairman Erick Thohir hailed the result and praised the players, coaches and officials for their work throughout qualifying. He said the victory showed that Indonesia’s young team was developing the courage and confidence to face one of Asia’s strongest football sides.

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The ticket to the Asian Cup is secured, now our task is to prepare as well as possible for a higher level of competition. Use every moment available. Continue working hard, improve the quality of our play, strengthen our physical condition, tactics, mentality and chemistry as a team.

Thohir also pointed to progress in the team’s spirit, bravery, discipline and mentality. But he warned the players not to become complacent after securing qualification. “The ticket to the Asian Cup is secured, now our task is to prepare as well as possible for a higher level of competition,” he said.

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Do not become complacent. I want to see this team come to China not only to participate, but to give its best and make Indonesia proud.

He called on the squad to use the available time to improve its football, physical condition, tactics, mentality and team chemistry. Thohir said he did not want Indonesia to travel to China merely as a participant. “I want to see this team come to China not only to participate, but to give its best and make Indonesia proud,” he said. He added that the journey remained long and expressed confidence in the team’s potential and in the next generation of Indonesian football.

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The journey is still long. I believe in this team’s potential and I am confident that the future of Indonesian football is in the hands of this generation.