The U.23 Indonesia - Myanmar match schedule is heating up today: When coach Kim Sang-sik is no longer… under suspicion.

According to CNN Indonesia, when Vietnam U23 defeated Malaysia 2-0 on December 11th, the Indonesian team could regain hope of reaching the semi-finals of the SEA Games 33, where they could face host nation Thailand.

By what margin does the Indonesian U.23 team need to beat Myanmar?

Thanks to Vietnam's U23 victory over Malaysia in Group B, Indonesia's U23 team will have their own fate in determining their place in the semi-finals of the SEA Games 33 men's football tournament in their decisive match against Myanmar's U23 team at 6 PM on December 12th in Chiang Mai. Coach Indra Sjafri's team needs to win 3-0 to advance as the best-performing second-placed team. Before this match, Indonesian media and the Indonesian U23 coach suspected that Vietnam's U23 coach, Kim Sang-sik, would collude with Malaysia's U23 team to ensure both teams advanced to the semi-finals. But Coach Kim won, and won convincingly, dispelling all preconceived notions.

Indonesia's U23 team has revived its hopes after Vietnam's U23 team defeated Malaysia.

Photo: Dong Nguyen Khang

Despite their loss to Vietnam, the Malaysian U23 team still has a chance, but it will depend on the result of the Indonesia U23 vs. Myanmar match at 6 PM today. "Harimau Muda" (the nickname of the Malaysian youth team) currently has 3 points and a goal difference of +1 (with a goal difference of 4/3). Timor Leste U23 also has 3 points, but their goal difference of -3 has officially eliminated them. Only Indonesia U23 and Myanmar U23 remain in contention.

Both U.23 Indonesia and U.23 Myanmar currently have 0 points and goal differences of -1 (0/1) and -2 (0/2) respectively. If U.23 Indonesia wins 3-0, they will qualify for the next round thanks to a better goal difference than U.23 Malaysia, specifically +2 (3/1) compared to their opponent's +1.

Myanmar U23 still has a chance, but they must beat Indonesia U23 by a score of 4-0 or higher to qualify (in which case their goal difference would be +2). In terms of strength, it's extremely difficult for Myanmar U23 to cause an upset against Indonesia U23, who are very excited after reviving their hopes thanks to Vietnam U23's victory.

Besides winning by a margin of 3 goals or more, the Indonesian U23 team can still advance to the semi-finals if they win by a margin of 2 goals. However, this condition is more difficult. Specifically, the young Indonesian team must score 5 or more goals when winning against their opponent with a score of 5-3, 6-4, or 7-5… For example, with a score of 5-3, the Indonesian U23 team would have a goal difference of 5/4 (+1), the same as the Malaysian U23 team (4/3), but would advance due to having scored more goals.

However, if the Indonesian U23 team wins by only 2-0 or 3-1, they will be eliminated. This is because Indonesia will lose to Malaysia on goal difference, even though both teams have a goal difference of +1.

Meanwhile, if U23 Indonesia wins against U23 Myanmar with a score of 4-2, then they and Malaysia will have the same number of points, a goal difference of +1, and a goal difference of 4/3 for both teams. In this case, the best-performing second-placed team to advance will be determined based on disciplinary points, or the number of cards each team receives.

Therefore, despite receiving "assistance" from the Vietnam U23 team, Indonesia U23's chances of securing a place in the semi-finals are by no means easy.

If they overcome this challenge, coach Indra Sjafri and his team will continue their journey to defend their gold medal. In the semi-finals, they will face the host team, Thailand U23, again. They previously defeated Thailand 5-2 in extra time to win the gold medal at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, after a fierce brawl between players and coaching staff from both sides, leaving a negative impression to this day.

The other semi-final match has been determined: Vietnam U23 (first in Group B) will face the Philippines U23 (first in Group C).

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lich-thi-dau-u23-indonesia-myanmar-rat-nong-hom-nay-khi-ong-kim-sang-sik-khong-con-bi-nghi-ngo-185251212090011175.htm