INDONESIA kept alive their hopes to qualify for the second round of the 2023 Asian Cup finals with a surprise 1-0 victory over Vietnam in their second Group D match in Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha yesterday.

Team captain Asnawi Mangkualam Bahar did not disappoint, handing his team their first win of the tournament through a first-half penalty in the 42nd minute, awarded due to an error by Vietnam’s Nguyen Thanh Binh in the penalty box.

The win revived Indonesia’s hopes to reach the second round after they lost 1-3 to Iraq in their first match on Monday and sent Vietnam out of the Asian Cup, with Iraq having confirmed their slot in the second round after upsetting Japan 2-1 in another Group D match at Education City Stadium last night.

Iraq striker Ayman Hussein was last night’s hero, scoring both goals in the first half to stun this year’s favourites.

Japan will meet Indonesia in their final match Wednesday to decide who advances to the second round with Iraq.

Iraq lead Group D with six points, followed by Japan (second) and Indonesia (third) with three points each, while Vietnam are last without a single point. – Bernama, January 20, 2024.