Indonesia began their Asean Championship campaign with a 2-1 victory over Cambodia in Jakarta on Friday, while the Philippines rebounded from an opening-day loss to defeat Brunei 5-1.
The Indonesians, who finished runners-up last year but have never won the Southeast Asian title, sealed the victory with a close-range goal from Witan Sulaeman 10 minutes before halftime.
Egy Maulana put Shin Tae-team yong’s ahead with seven minutes remaining, only for Saret Krya to equalize for the Cambodians eight minutes later.
The victory brings Indonesia level with defending champions Thailand in Group A, along with the Philippines and Cambodia, who have both played twice.
Following a loss to Cambodia on Tuesday, the Philippines cruised to their first win in the competition against Brunei in Manila.
Kenshiro Daniels scored for the second game in a row to put the Azkals ahead in the seventh minute, and Sandro Reyes doubled the Philippines’ advantage five minutes later.
Five minutes after the break, Jesus Melliza scored his team’s third goal, and Sebastian Rasmussen added the fourth after goalkeeper Haimi Nyaring made a mistake.
Brunei’s Razimie Ramili pulled one back with 20 minutes remaining, only for Rasmussen to restore his side’s four-goal lead two minutes later with his second of the game.
The group stage of the Asean Championship, which brings together ten Southeast Asian nations, continues until January 3, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the final four.
The semi-finals will be played at home and away on Jan. 6 and 9, with the final on Jan. 13 and 16.
Source: Reuters
