After losing to Malaysia, Indonesia's coach expressed one thing ahead of the match against Vietnam

U17 Indonesia lost 0-1 to Malaysia; Coach Kurniawan took responsibility and called for protecting the young players, as the team faces a difficult situation before the decisive match against U17 Vietnam.

The 0-1 defeat against U17 Malaysia in the ASEAN Cup U17 2026 has put U17 Indonesia in a tough position in the race for a semifinal spot. After the match, Coach Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto spoke up to take full responsibility, while urging fans not to pressure the young players.

In the decisive encounter, U17 Indonesia started well but lacked sharpness in final situations. Conversely, Malaysia capitalized on defensive mistakes to score the sole goal, securing all three valuable points.

Speaking after the match, Coach Kurniawan did not avoid responsibility and straightforwardly apologized to the fans: “First, I apologize for the unsatisfactory result. But I still appreciate the players' efforts.”.

This strategist emphasized that individual errors and lack of focus throughout the 90 minutes were the main reasons for the defeat: “We must learn from failing to maintain concentration, and that mistake cost the team.”.

Additionally, missing several good opportunities was also regrettable for the coaching staff. Nevertheless, Kurniawan chose to defend his players rather than criticize: “The players tried very hard. If there is responsibility, I bear it fully.”.

Notably, the former Indonesian star is particularly concerned about the young players' mentality after this loss. He called for fans to continue supporting the team: “I hope everyone still supports them. The players are very young; I don't want this defeat to affect their development.”.

Despite the loss to Malaysia, U17 Indonesia's chance to advance is not completely closed. In the final match, they will face U17 Vietnam, a team showing extremely impressive form with two consecutive wins, scoring 14 goals and conceding none.

The upcoming match is seen as an ultimate challenge for U17 Indonesia. In a situation where they must secure a favorable result, Coach Kurniawan's team needs not only to improve technically but also overcome significant psychological pressure.

The clash with U17 Vietnam promises to be decisive, not only for the advancement ticket but also as an opportunity for U17 Indonesia to prove their resilience after the setback against Malaysia.