Performance of U23 Indonesia vs U23 Malaysia
U23 Indonesia is off to a very smooth start. After two matches, the home team has a perfect record of winning, scoring 9 goals and conceding none. However, the team under coach Gerald Vanenburg is still not completely out of the danger of being eliminated.
If they are defeated by 2 goals against U23 Malaysia, the young team of the archipelago will most likely have to stop early. Because in the match at the same time, U23 Philippines will find it very difficult to lose 3 points in the encounter with the weakest opponent of the U23 tournament, Brunei.
At that time, U23 Indonesia, U23 Malaysia and U23 Philippines will have 6 points each, but in terms of head-to-head stats, Garuda Muda will be at a disadvantage.
In case of losing by 1 goal, U23 Indonesia will most likely still qualify for the semi-finals as the second-placed team with the best record. In the remaining two groups, the second-placed teams will most likely only earn 1 point.
Before the "final" match with U23 Malaysia at Gelora Bung Karno, U23 Indonesia holds too many advantages.
The home team did not even enter the match with a cautious attitude to seek a draw. Coach Vanenburg himself affirmed that he and his players will aim to win, thereby entering the round of 4 as group leaders.
The confidence of U23 Indonesia is completely justified. In addition to the advantage of playing on a familiar field and receiving enthusiastic cheers from fans in the stands, the home team also possesses a formidable attacking spearhead in Jens Raven and a balanced squad between the lines.
To overcome the difficulties, U23 Malaysia must win by a margin of 2 goals or more. The task is very difficult but not impossible.
In youth tournaments, surprises often happen and with just one advantage, scoring an early opening goal or playing with one more player, Harimau Muda can completely squeeze through a narrow gap.
U23 Malaysia will have a hard time getting through the narrow door when facing the very excited home team.
The team under the direction of coach Nafuzi Zain would have been in a less dangerous situation if they had not unexpectedly suffered a 0-2 defeat in their opening match against U23 Philippines. The unexpected result made the subsequent 7-1 victory over U23 Brunei less meaningful.
But this is not the time for Tierney and his teammates to dwell on past mistakes. They need to focus on making the most of their opportunities in a relentless battle with their direct opponents.
But in a more passive position, U23 Malaysia can easily become the team that has to receive counterattacks from the opponent.
Remember, in both goals conceded against U23 Philippines, Sharani's defense in front of the goal appeared very fragile when facing the fast counter-attacks from the other side.
Even against the weak opponent U23 Brunei, Yusuf, Hakimi, Shamsul could not help the home team keep a clean sheet.
U23 Indonesia clearly understands this weakness, so it is possible that they will enter the game with a leisurely style, waiting for the opponent to rush forward and launch a punishing attack.
Thanks to their impressive ability to operate independently, the duo Jens Raven and Caraka can become a clear highlight in the home team's counter-attacks.
Team information U23 Indonesia vs U23 Malaysia
U23 Indonesia: No notable names are missing.
U23 Malaysia: Full force
Expected lineup U23 Indonesia vs U23 Malaysia
U23 Indonesia: Ardiansyah, Ferrari, Pamngkas, Darwin, Scheunemann, Fikri, Hanan, Mualana, Arjuna, Firmansyah, Raven
U23 Malaysia: Sharani, Yusuf, Hakimi, Shamsul, Danish, Izwan, Tierney, Khalik, Haykal, El Basheer, Rosli
Prediction: 2-1
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/nhan-dinh-tran-dau-u23-indonesia-vs-u23-malaysia-20h00-ngay-217-nguy-co-bi-loai-va-bai-toan-nguoc-dong-154232.html
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