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Indonesia Misses AFF U-17 Semifinals After 0-0 Draw vs Vietnam

From Tempo · (6h ago) Indonesian Critical tone

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Indonesia's U-17 national team drew 0-0 with Vietnam in their final Group A match of the 2026 AFF U-17 Cup.
  • The draw resulted in Indonesia missing the semifinals, finishing third in the group with four points.
  • Coach Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto stated the match would serve as an evaluation for the upcoming U-17 Asia Cup, emphasizing the need to improve the transition from defense to attack.

The Indonesian U-17 national team's journey in the AFF U-17 Cup concluded with a disappointing goalless draw against Vietnam, a result that saw the Garuda Muda miss out on a semifinal berth. While the team fought hard to maintain defensive solidity, the offensive output proved insufficient, leaving coach Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto to label the performance as a crucial learning experience.

We prepared a defensive game plan and counter-attack. But when we attempted to counter-attack, the results were not optimal, and this is something to note before we compete in the Asia Cup.

— Kurniawan Dwi YuliantoCoach of the Indonesian U-17 national team, reflecting on the team's performance and areas for improvement.

From our perspective at Tempo, this outcome highlights a recurring challenge for Indonesian football: the gap between defensive discipline and effective attacking transitions. Coach Kurniawan's acknowledgment that the team's counter-attacks were not optimal, especially when employing a five-man defense, points to a need for tactical refinement. This is not just about individual player skill, but about the team's ability to seamlessly shift from defending to creating scoring opportunities.

While the draw means an early exit from this tournament, the coach's focus on using this as preparation for the U-17 Asia Cup is commendable. It suggests a long-term vision, prioritizing development over immediate tournament success. The evaluation of squad composition and the consideration of new players indicate a proactive approach to strengthening the team for future challenges.

We intentionally played with a defend-counter strategy. We waited for them in our own area and hoped to counter-attack.

— Kurniawan Dwi YuliantoExplaining the team's tactical approach during the match against Vietnam.

Internationally, this result might be seen as just another tournament outcome. However, for Indonesia, it's a moment for introspection. The passion for football here means that every match, especially against regional rivals like Vietnam, carries significant weight. The hope is that the lessons learned from this draw will translate into a stronger, more dynamic Indonesian U-17 team ready to compete on the continental stage.

We will evaluate in the coming days to determine the best players.

— Kurniawan Dwi YuliantoDiscussing the process of selecting the final squad for the Asia Cup.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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