FIFA ASEAN Cup: Malaysia Held to Goalless Draw with 10-Man Indonesia
Malaysia extended their unbeaten FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 Group A campaign with a 0-0 draw against Indonesia at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta.
The fixture was a chance for both sides to take a full three points. For Tan Cheng Hoe's team it also offered a chance to avenge a 4-1 defeat to Indonesia in the 2020 ASEAN Championship. That score was not settled with a win, but Malaysia left Jakarta with their unbeaten record intact.
Cheng Hoe kept faith with the front three that started the win over Bangladesh, again fielding Bergson da Silva, Arif Aiman Hanapi and Faisal Halim. Indonesia head coach John Herdman looked to Ole Romeny for goals.
The first half was open and combative, with both sides chasing an early breakthrough. Indonesia were driven on by thousands of home supporters inside GBK, and the atmosphere never dropped.
Indonesia thought they had scored in the fourth minute when Justin Hubner found the net, but the goal was chalked off after a foul on a Malaysian player in the build-up.
Malaysia then settled and began to threaten. In the 12th minute Arif Aiman tested Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper Maarten Paes with a shot, and the 28-year-old kept it out. Four minutes later Faisal forced another save from Paes, the former FC Dallas goalkeeper, who kept the scoreline level.
The decisive moment of the half came when referee Ko Hyung-jin showed Haye a red card. The midfielder was first booked, but a VAR review found he had made a hard challenge on Arif Aiman, and the yellow was upgraded to red.
Herdman had to reshuffle, sending on Ivar Jenner to cover the gap in midfield. The score stayed 0-0 at the interval.
Indonesia kept competing after the restart despite their numerical disadvantage. Malaysia's response was to add more attacking power. Cheng Hoe introduced Kuala Lumpur City FC striker Paulo Josue to play alongside Bergson.
Substitute Fergus Tierney came closest to the breakthrough. The PAC Omonia 29M forward's effort cleared the crossbar. Harimau Malaya kept up the pressure on the Garuda defence until full time, but the goal never came.
The approach matched what Cheng Hoe said before the match. He had said that sitting back for 90 minutes would not be enough against Indonesia's attacking strength and that Malaysia would have to attack too. Faisal had also said the visitors would treat the home crowd as extra motivation rather than a threat. Malaysia played with that composure against a passionate GBK crowd, created the more dangerous chances once Indonesia were reduced to ten, and were denied only by Paes and the crossbar.
The draw leaves Malaysia on four points after the 3-0 win over Bangladesh. Indonesia are also on four points, but Malaysia stay ahead on goal difference. Only the group winner reaches the final at GBK on October 5, so the placing matters.
Harimau Malaya's last group match is against Singapore on October 1. Their neighbours from across the Johor Causeway will be the final obstacle in the race for the sole final berth.
Credit Photo : FAM
