Finishing remains a problem, but Nova Arianto is determined to lead Indonesia’s Under-20s past Australia

Indonesia’s Under-20 team moved to the top of Group H with a 3-0 victory over Laos, but coach Nova Arianto left the match focused on the chances his players failed to convert.

The win at Laos’s National Stadium KM 16 on Thursday gave Indonesia four points from two matches, putting it ahead of Australia on goal difference. Australia also has four points after drawing 2-2 with Malaysia. The two teams will meet in the final Group H match on Sunday, September 6.

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The children certainly performed better today than in the first match. But our problem remains the finishing touch.

Nova said Indonesia had played better than in its first match, but he again identified finishing as the team’s outstanding problem. “The children certainly performed better today than in the first match. But our problem remains the finishing touch,” he said. The coach plans to make the issue a focus of evaluation before the decisive game.

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From Under-17 to Under-20, I have never beaten Australia. So we will try our best against Australia.

The Australia match carries a personal challenge for Nova, who said he had never beaten Australia at the Under-17 to Under-20 levels. “From Under-17 to Under-20, I have never beaten Australia. So we will try our best against Australia,” he said.

Nova warned that Australia has strong individual players and a well-organized collective game. Indonesia, he said, must match Australia both in individual duels and as a team. “Hopefully the players can perform well together when we face Australia,” he said.

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Hopefully the players can perform well together when we face Australia.