Philippines 0-3 Indonesia: Dhamar Tri Kusuma Brace Powers Garuda Muda to Winning Start in AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers

Indonesia's U-17 national team opened their AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2027 qualifying campaign with a convincing 3-0 win over the Philippines at Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. A first-half brace from Dhamar Tri Kusuma and a late strike from I Dewa Gede Majesta gave David Nascimento's Garuda Muda all three points in their first Group A outing, a result that lifts Indonesia into second place in the group behind Afghanistan.

The victory was exactly the start Indonesia needed. The young Garuda side sat out the opening matchday on 8 November, while the Philippines arrived with three points already in the bag after a 2-1 win over Cambodia, inspired by two goals from Kai Muller. With only the group winner advancing to the finals in Uzbekistan in May 2027, there was no room for a slow start, and Nascimento's players made sure there was not one.

A football stadium under a cloudy sky
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Dhamar strikes twice before the break

Indonesia played on the front foot from the first whistle. Wingers Dolvi Salossa and Chico Jericho kept stretching the Philippine defence, and Salossa, the son of Persipura legend Ortizan Solossa, almost broke through with a long-range effort that was pushed away by the goalkeeper. The pressure eventually told nine minutes before the interval. Persik Kediri U-16 striker Dhamar exchanged passes with Salossa to burst into the penalty area, and with only the goalkeeper to beat, he lifted the ball over him at just the right moment to make it 0-1.

The second goal arrived in first-half stoppage time, and it was Dhamar again. This time the striker found space on the right side of the box and produced a classic finish into the bottom-left corner, doubling Indonesia's lead at 0-2. Two chances, two goals, and a commanding position at the break for Garuda Muda.

Majesta seals it in the second half

Indonesia continued to dominate after the restart, even if the finishing in front of goal became less clinical. Chances came and went, but the third goal finally arrived in the 77th minute through Garuda United U-18 midfielder I Dewa Gede Majesta. His strike was a mirror image of Dhamar's second goal, finished from the other side of the penalty area to make it 0-3 and put the result beyond doubt.

There could have been more. Late opportunities fell to Yance Imbiri and Ichiro Akbar, but neither could add to the scoreline. The Philippines, who had shown fight in their opening win over Cambodia, could find no way back against an Indonesia side that controlled the game from start to finish.

Group A: the race for the only ticket

The win moves Indonesia to three points, second in Group A behind Afghanistan on six. Afghanistan, who beat hosts Myanmar 4-1 on the opening day, also won on Wednesday, defeating Cambodia 3-0. The Philippines stay on three points after their opening victory, while Cambodia and Myanmar are yet to pick up a point.

The table underlines how unforgiving this qualifying format is. Seven groups are contesting the qualifiers across Asia, and only each group winner will reach the 22nd edition of the finals in Uzbekistan, scheduled for 12-29 May 2027. There is no safety net for the runners-up. Indonesia's superior goal difference over the Philippines could yet matter, but the decisive fixture is likely to be the meeting with Afghanistan on Tuesday, 17 November.

What comes next for Garuda Muda

Indonesia's next test comes quickly. Garuda Muda face Cambodia on Saturday, 14 November at 15:30 WIB, before the potentially decisive clash with Afghanistan on 17 November and the closing group game against hosts Myanmar on Friday, 20 November. All of Indonesia's matches are broadcast live on Indosiar and SCTV, with live streaming available on Vidio.

The signs from the preparation period are encouraging. PSSI named a 23-player squad for the qualifiers on 9 November, and the team arrived in Myanmar after four warm-up matches against Malaysia that produced three wins and a draw. The starting line-up against the Philippines featured Syahdan Caesar in goal, a back line of Ramadhan Putra Negara, Faiz Hikmal Kurniawan, Allekay Kaisar Ramadhan and Pradibta Arya Zidano, with Melki Alvando, Haikal Kamil and goalscorer Majesta in midfield, and the front three of Salossa, Dhamar and Chico Jericho.

For now, the job is only partly done. Three points and a clean sheet are the perfect opening, and a brace for Dhamar Tri Kusuma gives the team a striker in form at exactly the right time. But with Afghanistan also winning twice, Indonesia will almost certainly need to win all four group games to top Group A and book their place in Uzbekistan. On this evidence, Nascimento's side has every chance.

Source: Bolasport, The-AFC.com