SURABAYA (21 Sept 2013) – Vietnam may have beaten Indonesia during the group stage but the team they will face in the final tomorrow will be different. For a start, after that loss to Vietnam last week, Indonesia have grown in confidence and are unlikely to repeat the same mistakes tomorrow.
The Indonesians, known as Garuda Jaya, have since gone on to defeat Thailand, Malaysia and Timor Leste and in the process have worked on their weaknesses. Indonesian coach Indra Sjafri says his team will peak in the final and deliver their best. And the way they overcame Timor Leste was a clear sign of their improved form.
Vietnam coach Grachen Guillaume is aware of what his team is up against and had said earlier, “Indonesia have a 12th player” in their loyal fans whose awesome support has contributed to the team’s success.
Tomorrow’s final at the Gelora Delta Sidoarjo is likely to be a sellout with over 30,000 fans packing the stadium to watch the best youth teams in Southeast Asia on display. Many more thousands who are unable to get tickets will be outside the stadium. For those fans, the organisers have set-up several big screens for them to follow the final.
On the match itself, Vietnam will be missing their inspirational skipper Luong Xuan Truong who sustained a wrist fracture. His absence was obvious when Vietnam’s attack lacked Xuan Truong’s support and appeared to lose its sting against Laos in the semifinals.
To their credit, the team got their act together in the second half and went on to score the winner. As they have in previous matches, Vietnam will be counting on their speedy strikers Nguyen Van Toan and Ngueyn Cong Phuong to lead them to victory.
Indonesia meanwhile heaved a sigh of relief when they found out their goalkeeper Ravi Murdianto’s injury to his face was not serious. A defender clashed with Ravi in the semifinals and he had to be replaced. With him back, the team’s confidence will be intact and they will be ready to try and claim their first-ever AFF Under-19 title.
Since the tournament made its debut in 2005 in Palembang, Indonesia have never even qualified for the semifinals. This is indeed a major breakthrough for the youth team who appear to have the edge in tomorrow’s final.
PAST WINNERS OF THE AFF UNDER-19 CHAMPIONSHIP
2005 (Palembang)
Final: Myanmar bt Malaysia 1-0
3-4: Laos bt Vietnam 4-1
2006 (Kuantan)
Final standings
1. Australia
2. Malaysia
3. Thailand
4. Vietnam
2007 (Ho Chi Minh)
Final: Vietnam bt Malaysia 1-0
3-4: Thailand bt Myanmar 2-0
2008 (Bangkok)
Final: Australia bt Korea Rep 3-1 (0-0)
3-4: China bt Thailand 3-0
2009 (Ho Chi Minh)
Final: Thailand bt Australia 5-4 (2-2)
3-4: Vietnam bt Malaysia 3-0
2010 (Ho Chi Minh)
Final: Australia bt Thailand 1-0
3-4: Korea Rep bt Vietnam 7-6 (1-1)
2011 (Yangon)
Final: Thailand bt Vietnam 5-3 (1-1)
3-4: Malaysia bt Myanmar 4-2 (0-0)
2012 (Ho Chi Minh)
Final: Iran bt Uzbekistan 2-1
3-4: Australia bt Vietnam 4-0
2013 (Surabaya)
Final: Indonesia vs Vietnam …
3-4: Timor Leste vs Laos …
