TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian under 22 years old soccer team (Timnas U-22) in its match against Thailand at the U-23 Asian Cup Qualification 2018 on Sunday only shared 0-0 draw, thus it failed to qualify for the U-23 Asian Cup 2018.

With the draw result, the Timnas U-22 failed to overtake Malaysia at the top of the standings.

Malaysia became the team that qualified from Group H to the 2018 U-23 Asian Cup final in China after defeating Mongolia 2-0, which also took place on Sunday, before the match between Indonesia versus Thailand.

At Group H, Indonesia ranks third with four points from three matches, one lost (to Malaysia with 0-3 score), winning (over Mongolia with 7-0 score) and one draw (with Thailand, 0-0).

In the meantime, Malaysia became the best in Group H with six points from two wins and one defeat in three games. Thailand is ranked second with five points, from two draws and one win. The Mongolia became caretaker.

In playing against Thailand, at the first half, the game ran slowly and seemed to be unattractive because it took place under torrential rain that inundated about 40 percent of the stadium field, the website of the All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) reported.

The U-23 Asian Cup Qualification 2018 was held from July 19-23, 2017 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Puddle on the soccer field hampered the two teams to develop their game. Rolling of the ball turned into imperfect and players easily fall due to slip, but both teams had a few chances to make goals.

At the 42nd minute, Thailand managed to send a cross into the penalty box of Indonesia, but the Thai squad failed to execute it properly because the ball was first secured by Kurniawan Kartika Ajie, the Indonesian goal keeper.

On the other hand, the Indonesian team had a golden chance at the 43rd minute after the Thai goal keeper wrongly throw the ball out of its defense area.

ANTARA