Indonesia beat Laos 3-0 to take top spot in Asian Cup qualifying Group H

Indonesia Under-20 moved to the top of Group H in 2027 Asian Cup qualifying with a 3-0 win over hosts Laos at National Stadium KM 16 on Thursday night.

The match began two hours late because of heavy rain. Scheduled for 7 p.m. local time, it kicked off at 9 p.m.

Indonesia took the lead after only five minutes. Fabio Azkairawan controlled a pass from Aleandro Alan Maulana and struck a powerful volley into the Laos goal. Laos appeared to equalize in the ninth minute, but the referee ruled the goal out for offside.

Reno Salampessy went close in the 23rd minute, but the Laos goalkeeper saved his shot from inside the penalty area. Laos then created confusion in front of Indonesia’s goal five minutes later, before Indonesia’s players cleared the loose ball from danger.

Indonesia now has four points from two matches, level with Australia. Indonesia leads the group because its goal difference is plus three, compared with Australia’s plus two. Australia had earlier drawn 2-2 with Malaysia. Indonesia and Australia will meet in the group’s final match on Sept. 6.