​Indonesia National Team Edges Myanmar 1-0 in 2024 AFF Cup Opener

The Indonesian national team secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Myanmar in the opening match of Group B of the 2024 AFF Cup. Asnawi Mangkualam netted the decisive goal for the Garuda squad during the match held at Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon on December 9, 2024.

Coach Shin Tae-yong selected Cahya Supriyadi as the goalkeeper, with Muhammad Ferrari, Kadek Arel, and Dony Tri Pamungkas forming the defensive line. In midfield, Alfriyanto Nico and Pratama Arhan operated on the wings, supporting central midfielders Zanadin Faris and Arkhan Fikri. Marselino Ferdinan led the attack alongside Hokky Caraka and Arkhan Kaka Purwanto.

First Half
From the outset, Indonesia aimed to assert their attacking strategy, but Myanmar matched their aggression, complicating the young Garuda players' ability to create clear chances.

In the third minute, a defensive misstep by Dony Tri nearly cost Indonesia when Lwin Moe Aung found space for a shot, but it went wide of the post.

Indonesia responded with an opportunity in the 13th minute when Marselino made a run down the right flank, but his header was comfortably saved by Myanmar's goalkeeper, Zin Nyi Nyi Aung.

Myanmar threatened Indonesia's goal in the 17th minute with a shot from Thiha Zaw inside the penalty box, followed by another attempt from Aung Kaung Mann, both of which were blocked by Cahya.

Despite Indonesia's attempts to break Myanmar's pressure, inaccurate final passes stifled their attacks. Several set-piece opportunities also went to waste, including a header from Ferrari that missed the target after a corner kick in the 32nd minute. The first half ended in a 0-0 deadlock.

Second Half
Shin Tae-yong made key substitutions at the start of the second half, introducing Asnawi Mangkualam, Victor Dethan, and Rafael Struick while replacing Nico Alfriyanto, Zanadin Fariz, and Arkhan Kaka.

Initially, the changes did not yield immediate results, as both teams struggled to create significant chances. Indonesia maintained 60 percent possession, but the pace of the game was slow, with only a couple of missed opportunities for Indonesia in the first 15 minutes.

In the 65th minute, Hokky Caraka took a shot from outside the box, but it was blocked by the Myanmar defense.

The breakthrough came in the 76th minute when Asnawi Mangkualam scored. Following a throw-in by Pratama Arhan, Asnawi capitalized on a back pass from Kadek Arel. His shot deflected off goalkeeper Zin Nyi Nyi Aung, giving Indonesia a 1-0 lead.
Asnawi's goal energized the game. In the 79th minute, Rafael Struick had a chance after receiving a pass from Marselino, but his attempt was thwarted by the Myanmar goalkeeper.


Shin Tae-yong then brought on Ronaldo Kwateh for Marselino, whose movements created several openings in Myanmar's defense. One such opportunity fell to Ferrari, whose powerful long-range shot went off target.
Despite seven minutes of injury time, the score remained 1-0, allowing Indonesia to secure their first victory in the 2024 AFF Cup.