Indonesia Wins Big Over Macau, Maintaining Chances of Qualifying for the U-23 Asian Cup

SIDOARJO, KOMPAS - Indonesia won 5-0 (2-0) against Macau in the second match of Group J of the 2026 Saudi Arabia U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers, on Saturday (6/9/2025) evening at the Gelora Delta Stadium in Sidoarjo, East Java.

The positive result places Indonesia, under the management of coach Gerald Vanenburg, in second position in the temporary standings of Group J with 4 points. In the first match, Indonesia drew without goals, ending 0-0 against Laos.

The current leader of the standings is held by the champion of the 4th edition in 2020, namely South Korea, with 6 points. The team coached by Lee Min-sung celebrated victories with a score of 5-0 against Macau and 7-0 against Laos.

The victory over Macau keeps the "Garuda Muda" team's chances alive to qualify for the final round of the tournament in Saudi Arabia 2026. Indonesia can qualify automatically if, in the third match on Tuesday (9/9/2025) evening, Indonesia manages to win against South Korea.

A draw or a loss will close Indonesia's chances of qualifying for the U-23 Asian Cup. The teams that will qualify for the tournament are the 11 group winners plus the 4 best second-placed teams. Based on the results of the two matches, to qualify, Indonesia must win against South Korea in the decisive third match.

The victory over Macau in Sidoarjo began with an own goal by captain and midfielder Lehong Lek Hang in the 3rd minute. Hang headed the ball from a pass from Indonesia, but it instead bounced back and entered the goal defended by Lam Chak Fong.

Indonesia doubled its advantage with a powerful shot from captain and attacking midfielder Arkhan Fikri in the 18th minute. The score changed to 2-0 and remained until halftime.

In the first half, Indonesia was very dominant. Indonesia made 9 accurate shots and 3 inaccurate shots towards the goal of Macau.

Fong went up and down making 7 brilliant saves so that his goal did not become a target for the hosts.

Indonesia, in need of a victory, intensified its pressure in the second half. A minute into the match or in the 46th minute, the goal defended by Fong was once again shaken by a goal from midfielder Rayhan Hannan.

The goal was born from a situation of turmoil, causing the ball to bounce but was intercepted by Hannan, who stood directly in the path of the spherical object.

Indonesia increasingly overwhelmed Macau with a goal in the 68th minute. The goal came from a powerful shot by substitute midfielder Zanadin Faris from outside the penalty area that tore into the Macau net for the fourth time.

The wing substitute for Rafael Struick increasingly sealed the celebration with the home team's fifth goal in the 75th minute. Struick received an assist from Hannan to score with a powerful shot from the right side of the Macau defense.

In the second half, Indonesia made at least five shots on target against Macau. Additionally, there were three shots and headers that missed. Until the end of the match, the score remained 5-0.

Meanwhile, South Korea demonstrated its strength with a resounding victory of 7-0 (2-0) over Laos. The "Taegeuk Warriors" firmly hold the top position in the temporary Group J standings with 6 points. Previously, they decisively defeated Macau with a score of 5-0.

Forward Cho Sanghyeok scored three goals at the 50th, 60th, and 61st minutes. Two other goals were scored by substitute forward Park Seungho at the 58th and 68th minutes.

Midfielder Joung Jihun started the celebration with a goal in the 44th minute. Forward Lee Kyudong doubled the lead with a goal during stoppage time, specifically in the 49th minute.