Indonesia u-23 vs Malaysia u-23 Kuala Lumpur, July 22, 2025 — The Malaysia U-23 national team battled valiantly in a hard-fought 0-0 draw against hosts Indonesia U-23 in the final Group A match of the 2025 AFF U-23 Championship held at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta. Despite a resilient performance, the result saw Malaysia finish third in the group and exit the tournament.
Tactical Discipline and Grit on Display
Head coach Mohd Nafuzi Zain made key changes to the lineup, sticking to his trusted 4-3-3 formation. In goal, Zulhilmi Sharani was handed the responsibility, while the defensive line of Ubaidullah Shamsul, Ahmad Asyar Shapri, Muhammad Aiman Nabil, and Muhammad Shafizan remained unchanged from the Brunei match, showing confidence in the backline’s chemistry.
The midfield trio of Haykal Danish, Muhammad Khalil, and Ziad Norhisham provided much-needed stability, while the attacking duties were led by Fergus Tierney, Muhammad Yuslan, and Haqimi Azim.
From the first whistle, Malaysia showed tactical discipline and defensive organization. While Indonesia dominated possession early on, Malaysia’s defensive block remained composed, forcing the Garuda squad to attack mainly from the flanks.
Resilient Defense Frustrates Indonesia
Indonesia attempted to capitalize on their home advantage and applied heavy pressure, especially from the left side. However, Malaysia’s backline stood firm. Key clearances from Ahmad Asyar and alert goalkeeping by Zulhilmi kept the scoreline intact, with Zulhilmi denying several attempts, including a crucial stop from Rayhan Hannan’s volley in the 15th minute.
While the first half was largely defensive, Malaysia remained dangerous on the counter. The midfield trio disrupted Indonesia’s rhythm effectively, and Malaysia’s pressing forced the opposition to take low-percentage shots or rely on wing crosses.
Second Half Surge and Missed Chances
Malaysia came out stronger in the second half, with a more balanced approach. In the 53rd minute, Aliff Izwan, who was introduced in the second half, nearly shocked the Indonesian fans with a powerful free-kick that required a full-stretch save from Cahya Supriadi.
One of Malaysia’s best moments came after a swift counterattack, as Fergus Tierney made a clever run but was brought down just outside the box, resulting in another set-piece opportunity.
Despite these promising moments, Malaysia couldn’t find the finishing touch needed to break the deadlock. The match remained tense until the final whistle, with both teams pushing for a winner in the closing stages.
Final Group Standings and Heartbreak
After Indonesia u-23 vs Malaysia u-23 match…
- Indonesia topped Group A with 7 points.
- Philippines stunned the group by beating Brunei 2-0 and jumped to second with 6 points.
- Malaysia, despite earning 4 points from three matches and showing defensive strength throughout the tournament, finished third and missed out on a semifinal berth.
Proud but Disappointed
Coach Nafuzi expressed both pride and disappointment after the match:
“Our boys showed great heart and discipline today. Holding Indonesia in their own stadium is no small feat. We controlled the game tactically and gave everything. Unfortunately, football can be cruel — one goal could have changed everything. We’ll take this experience, grow, and come back stronger.”
Looking Ahead
Although Malaysia U-23’s campaign ended earlier than hoped, fans can take pride in the team’s spirit, tactical maturity, and the emergence of promising talents. Players like Zulhilmi Sharani, Ziad Norhisham, and Aliff Izwan gave standout performances and will be names to watch in the upcoming SEA Games and future AFC competitions.
