Bangkok: Amanar Abdillah was the hero as Indonesia beat Thailand 1-0 in their AFC U-16 Championship 2018 Malaysia qualifier at the Rajamangala Stadium on Wednesday.
There was a good turnout of fans as the two teams trooped out for the start, with Thailand playing their second match after having beaten Northern Mariana Islands10-0 in their opening clash on Monday.
Indonesia were already on six points, having won their opening two matches and knew a win would take them closer to qualifying automatically for the Finals.
They started aggressively and Sutan Diego came close in the opening minutes but Thai goallkeeper Natthawut Paengkrathok denied him.
Indonesia's early aggression paid off as they went ahead in the 20th minute after Mochammad Supriadi crossed the ball from the left and right-winger Abdillah struck home.
A stung Thailand upped the tempo after that while Indonesia sat back and looked to hit on the counter attack.
That was to be the tone of the remainder of the match and Thailand were unlucky to not draw level as two attempts hit the woodwork in the second half.
Indonesia, however, held on strongly to score a famous win and boost their chances of qualifying for the Finals.
Salvador Valero Garcia (Thailand coach)
"We tried to control the game as much as possible. However, we made lots of mistakes which allowed Indonesia to hit us on counter attacks. For the next game with Timor-Leste, we have to improve our tactics, especially during the second half where many of the players were tired. Our chance of qualification now, I cannot tell in numbers but we have to do our duty by winning all the remaining matches."
Fakhti Husaini (Indonesia coach)
"We changed the players from the match that we lost to Thailand in the AFF U-15. We also studied and adjusted our tactics to neutralise Thailand's attacking. Today, Thailand were vulnerable at the back, so our team had room to play and we got a good outcome. We meet Laos next and we have to be careful as we lost to them in the AFF U-15."
Earlier, Laos won their first match of the Qualifiers, beating Northern Mariana Islands 10-0 in a Group G match at the Rajamangala Stadium.
Laos had lost 5-2 to Timor Leste 5-2 in their opening match last Saturday while Northern Mariana Islands had been beaten 18-0 and 10-0 by Indonesia and Thailand respectively in their earlier ties.
Laos took the lead just three minutes into the match through Ananthana Chanthamaly and Chony Wenpaserth added the second just a minute later.
Wenpaserth scored again in the 19th, 42nd and 44th minutes for Laos to take a healthy lead into the break.
Phutthalak Thongsanith was the provider in the 71st minute for Wenpaserth to score his fifth of the match while Sisouphonh Ackhavong added his team's seventh four minutes later.
Laos were awarded a penalty in the 85th minute which Phoutthalak Thongsanith converted and Soubanh Keopheth (88th) and Phonesavanh Keomanyvong (stoppage time) completed the resounding win.
Mita Michiteru (Northern Mariana Islands Coach)
“Of course, we are not happy with the 10 goals that we conceded today. Before the game, we had a meeting for this game and we expected a better result. Laos had three days rest while this is our third match which made our players feel tired. However, we appreciate that the players did not give up and we told them that we are happy to be here to play for the country.”
Kanlaya Sysomvang (Laos Coach)
“We are happy with the win. For the next match with Indonesia, we have to plan it well but anything can happen in football. We hope to win the game.”
Photos: AFC
Source: the-afc.com