Indonesia and Mali battled to a 2-2 draw in a amiable match, with both sides demonstrating tactical prowess and leaving the opposing coach impressed with their effectiveness. The result comes as Mali head coach soumaila Diawara acknowledged Indonesia’s ability to capitalize on opportunities, stating they “punished us,” while simultaneously recognizing the competitive parity between the two teams.
The match,a follow-up to Indonesia’s 3-0 victory in their first trial against Mali,saw Rafael Struick give Indonesia a 2-1 lead in the 52nd minute following a right-side attack and Raka Cahyana’s assist. However, Sekou Kone secured a second goal for Mali in the 70th minute, leveling the score and ultimately concluding the match in a stalemate. Despite failing to replicate their earlier dominant win, Diawara expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance and tactical development.
“I’m happy with our team’s performance. but, they punished us. We played very well,but they where very effective. They punished us.It was a good match,” Diawara said following the contest. He further lauded his players’ tactical growth and expressed a desire for future encounters with the Indonesian team. “Tactically, our players played very well. I am very happy. This is a good experiance for the team, for Mali. We hope to play against Indonesia again later. Maybe, we don’t know,” he added.
For the Indonesian U-23 National Team,the draw serves as a valuable assessment ahead of their participation in the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand this December. The match provided a competitive test and highlighted areas for advancement as they prepare for the regional tournament.
