Indonesia U-17 vs Afghanistan: Preview, Kick-Off Time and How to Watch the Group Decider
Indonesia's Under-17 team face the biggest match of their young careers on Tuesday, when they meet Afghanistan in a straight fight for top spot in Group A of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers. Kick-off is at 15:30 WIB, and with only the group winner qualifying for the finals in Uzbekistan next year, there is no room for a draw that suits both sides: one goal could decide who goes to the Asian Cup and who goes home.
The numbers make the stakes brutally simple. Both teams have six points from two matches, but Afghanistan sit top on goal difference, +6 against Indonesia's +5, after beating Myanmar 4-1 and Cambodia 3-0. Indonesia's wins were 3-0 over the Philippines and 2-0 over Cambodia on Saturday, with Dolvi Salossa scoring in the 10th minute and Melki Caussy heading home in the 35th. A win on Tuesday takes Indonesia top; a draw keeps Afghanistan ahead; a defeat ends the dream. It is, in every sense, a final before the final.
Photo by El gringo photo on Pexels. This is a stock illustration, not a photo of the Indonesia U-17 team.
Indonesia's campaign so far has been built on control. The 3-0 win over the Philippines was comfortable, and the 2-0 victory over Cambodia was professional rather than spectacular: an early goal to settle the nerves, a second before half-time, and a second half managed without alarm. The defence has not conceded a goal in two matches, and the midfield has kept the ball well. But Afghanistan are a different test entirely. They have scored seven goals in two games, they attack in numbers, and their 4-1 win over Myanmar showed they can hurt teams quickly when given space behind the defence.
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The venue picture deserves a note of caution. The AFC schedule as reported lists the match at Starcity Sports Club in Thanlyin, the same ground where Indonesia beat Cambodia on Saturday, but some Indonesian reports have mentioned Thuwunna Stadium in connection with earlier Group A fixtures, and the two venues have been mixed up in coverage all week. Supporters should check the broadcast graphics on the day rather than relying on a single listing. What is certain is the broadcast: the match is live on Indosiar and SCTV, with streaming on Vidio, so nobody in Indonesia needs to miss it.
Whatever happens on Tuesday, Indonesia still have one match left, against hosts Myanmar on Friday 20 November, while Afghanistan's campaign ends after this game. Myanmar have three points and could still matter in the final reckoning, but the group will almost certainly be decided in Thanlyin. If Indonesia win, they will go into the Myanmar game knowing a draw is enough; if they draw or lose, they will need favours and goals from elsewhere. The players know it, the coaches know it, and by Tuesday evening the whole country will know it too. The Garuda Muda have been steady and professional so far. Now they need to be brave as well.
Source: AFC — Qualifiers Group A: Myanmar 3-1 Philippines, Indonesia 2-0 Cambodia — https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u17_asian_cup.html/news/qualifiers-group-a-myanmar-3-1-philippines-indonesia-2-0-cambodia
