FIFA ASEAN Cup: Malaysia, Indonesia Settle For Goalless Draw

From Ahmad Nazrin Syahmi Mohamad Arif

JAKARTA, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysia were held to a 0-0 draw by 10-man Indonesia in their FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 Division 1 Group A clash at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium here, tonight.

Indonesia played with a man down from the 37th minute after defensive midfielder Thom Haye was sent off following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review in a fiercely physical first half.

The Garuda team had an early goal by Justin Hubner ruled out in the third minute after he was adjudged to have committed a foul in the build-up.

Malaysia came close in the 12th minute when Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi embarked on a solo run from midfield before seeing his shot saved by Indonesia goalkeeper Maarten Paes.

The hosts’ hopes suffered a setback in the 34th minute when Haye was initially shown a yellow card for stamping on Arif Aiman.

However, South Korean referee Ko Hyung-jin upgraded the punishment to a red card three minutes later after reviewing the incident.

National goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi then produced an excellent save in first-half stoppage time to deny Dean James’ effort.

Indonesia nearly found a breakthrough from the resulting corner but Elkan Baggott’s header struck the post as the opening half that was marked by a series of robust challenges ended goalless.

The Harimau Malaya squad adjusted their approach after the break by introducing a second striker, with Paulo Josue replacing Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim in the 54th minute to partner Bergson da Silva up front.

The change almost paid off 10 minutes later when Josue met Manuel Hidalgo’s cross from the left but his header sailed narrowly over the crossbar.

In the 74th minute, substitute Fergus Tierney squandered a golden chance to score for Malaysia when his attempt from Bergson’s header sailed over the crossbar.

Despite enjoying a numerical advantage for more than half the match, Malaysia under interim head coach Tan Cheng Hoe could not find the decisive touch as Indonesia defended stubbornly to preserve the scoreless draw.

Malaysia will take on Singapore in their final group match at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung, while Indonesia face Bangladesh here on Thursday.

Earlier, Singapore edged Bangladesh 1-0 in the other Group A fixture.

-- BERNAMA