Ten-Man Indonesia Hold Harimau Malaya to 0-0 at GBK as Group A Race Goes to the Wire

Harimau Malaya left Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Monday night with a point, top spot in Group A and a nagging sense of what might have been. Malaysia played more than half of their FIFA ASEAN Cup meeting with Indonesia against 10 men, yet could not find a way past goalkeeper Maarten Paes as the Southeast Asian rivals drew 0-0 in Jakarta on 28 September.

The result leaves both sides on four points after two matches, with Malaysia ahead on goal difference going into the final round of group games on Thursday.

A flying start for the hosts, then a red card

Indonesia started on the front foot in front of a big home crowd and thought they had taken the lead inside the opening minutes. Defender Justin Hubner headed in a Thom Haye corner, but a VAR check ruled the goal out for offside.

The key moment came shortly after the half-hour mark. Haye went in late on Arif Aiman Hanapi, catching the Malaysian winger on the ankle. South Korean referee Ko Hyung-jin first showed a yellow card, then upgraded it to red after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor.

Arif Aiman, who scored twice in the 3-0 opening win over Bangladesh, was again Malaysia's most dangerous outlet down the right, while Faisal Halim and Nooa Laine both sent efforts narrowly wide in the first half.

Paes and Baggott stand firm

With an extra man, Malaysia controlled more of the ball after the break but struggled to turn territory into clear chances. Indonesia reorganised with Joey Pelupessy screening the back line, and centre-back Elkan Baggott kept a tight grip on naturalised striker Bergson da Silva.

When Malaysia did get through, Paes was equal to it. Substitute striker Paulo Josue also had opportunities, and Hubner produced a late goal-line clearance to preserve the clean sheet. At the other end, Malaysian centre-backs Dion Cools and Bradley Tapp used the offside trap well to blunt Indonesia's counter-attacks.

What the coaches said

Malaysia head coach Tan Cheng Hoe told Bernama he was "quite satisfied with the result", while admitting his side "really missed a few chances". He also credited the hosts, saying their discipline and defensive organisation made it "very difficult for us to break through".

Indonesia coach John Herdman thanked the home fans for the atmosphere at a packed GBK.

Where it leaves Group A

After two rounds, the table reads:

• Malaysia – 4 points (goal difference +3)
• Indonesia – 4 points (+2)
• Singapore – 3 points (-1)
• Bangladesh – 0 points (-4)

Singapore moved into contention earlier on Monday with a 1-0 win over Bangladesh. Only the group winner goes straight to the final; the runner-up heads to a third-place match.

Malaysia now face Singapore on Thursday, 1 October, at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung, while Indonesia take on Bangladesh at GBK at the same time.

Why this point still matters

A draw away to the co-hosts is not a bad result on paper, and it keeps Malaysia in control of their own destiny. But with Indonesia facing the group's bottom side on the final night, the missed chances against 10 men could come back to haunt Cheng Hoe's side if the group comes down to goal difference.

Key takeaways

• Indonesia and Malaysia drew 0-0 at Gelora Bung Karno on 28 September.
• Thom Haye was sent off in the first half after a VAR review; Justin Hubner had an early goal ruled out for offside.
• Malaysia lead Group A on goal difference ahead of Indonesia, with Singapore one point behind.
• Malaysia play Singapore in Bandung on Thursday, 1 October.

FAQ

Who was sent off in Indonesia vs Malaysia? Indonesia midfielder Thom Haye was shown a red card in the first half for a late challenge on Arif Aiman Hanapi, after the referee reviewed the incident on VAR.

Are Malaysia still top of Group A? Yes. Malaysia and Indonesia both have four points, but Malaysia have the better goal difference (+3 to +2).

When is Malaysia's next match? Malaysia play Singapore on Thursday, 1 October, at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung.

Sources: The Star, Bernama, Social Expat, Jakarta Review, Tirto