Defending champions Australia kicked off their AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers Group H campaign with a 2-0 win against Laos on Monday while Indonesia and Malaysia played to a goalless draw in the earlier match.
Indonesia 0-0 Malaysia
The first half was an open affair which started with Malaysia’s Muhammad Arsyad shooting wide from range before Amar Imran had to make a last-ditch tackle to stop Arkhan Kaka Putra in the box.
Indonesia looked stronger as the first half went on but were left frustrated by Reno Salampessy’s long range effort that sailed over, followed by Theodore Leeming blasting wide from a superb Amar Rayhan Brkic cross from the left.
Faez Iqhwan pulled off a great stop to tip away Rafiq Rasyiq’s curling strike from the edge of the box in the 66th minute as the custodian ensured Malaysia stayed in the game.
There was however, a lucky escape for Faez in the 79th minute after his miskick gifted the ball to Irpan Siregar but with the goalmouth gaping,the Indonesian forward headed over as both teams settled for a share of the points.
Australia 2-0 Laos
Australia didn’t have to wait long to take the lead as they were awarded a penalty in the 13th minute following Okham Latsachak’s handball in trying to block Jai Rose’s pass with Marcus Neill stepping up to convert.
Laos thought they had equalised in the 35th minute through Odin Siphanit but the forward was judged to be in an offside position.
Deep into first half added time, Arthur de Lima spurned a great chance to double Australia’s advantage after he rounded Laos custodian Souksamone Vethita, only to put his shot wide.
Australia took four minutes of the second half to double their advantage, Oliver Dragicevic’s corner from the right was allowed to bounce unchallenged for Lewis Marinucci to chest home at the back post.
Group A (Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek)
Lebanon 2-3 Korea Republic
Group B (Do’stlik Stadium, Tashkent)
Syria 0-1 India
Uzbekistan 2-0 Bangladesh
Group C (Viet Tri Stadium, Viet Tri)
IR Iran 2-1 Palestine
Vietnam 0-3 DPR Korea
Group D (Khalifa Sports City Stadium, Isa Town)
Jordan 1-0 Afghanistan
Tajikistan 2-3 Bahrain
Group E (Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha)
Qatar1-2 Oman
Saudi Arabia 2-0 Hong Kong, China
Group F (Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi)
Iraq 1-2 Turkmenistan
Thailand 1-0 UAE
Group G (National Sports Complex of Cambodia, Phnom Penh)
Japan 4-0 Kuwait
Yemen 1-2 Cambodia
Group H (Lao National Stadium KM16, Vientiane)
Indonesia 0-0 Malaysia
Australia 2-0 Laos
Development Phase
Group I (MFF Stadium, Ulaanbaatar)
N. Mariana Islands 0-7 Mongolia
Group J (Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu)
Chinese Taipei 5-0 Macau, China
Singapore 3-1 Bhutan
Group K (Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon)
Myanmar 4-0 Sri Lanka
Maldives 2-0 Brunei Darussalam
