Macau concedes 10 goals, scores none in first two matches of U23 AFC Cup Qualifiers

The Macau Under-23 (U23) team has started the AFC Cup Asian Cup Qualifiers on the wrong foot. In the first two matches, they conceded 10 goals and failed to score any.

On matchday 1, September 3, the Macau team faced the Korea Republic at Gelora Delta Stadium in Sidoarjo, Indonesia, losing the match 5-0.

The same result was repeated on Saturday, matchday 2, when Macau faced Indonesia and again lost by five goals without reply.

In the match against Indonesia, Macau got off to a disastrous start when captain Ieong Lek Hang headed the ball into his own net following a cross by Rahmat Reski in the third minute.

In a match dominated by the Indonesians, only the lack of finishing from some players and several good saves from goalkeeper Lam Chak Fong prevented the score from being even higher.

In the second half, with Indonesia leading 2-0, the side continued to pressure Macau, which struggled to string together even two consecutive passes.

Muhammad Hannan converted his earlier misses to make it 3-0 in the third minute after the break. Zanadin Fariz scored the fourth in the 68th minute with a long-distance shot from outside the box.

On the other end, Indonesia’s Cahya Supriadi was largely a bystander, as Macau failed to register any shots on goal. Rafael Struick sealed the match in the 75th minute with a side-foot finish following a pass from Ananda Alief.

Earlier in the week, Macau began its campaign against a stronger Korean side. The Koreans dominated the first half, with Jeong Jae-sang scoring in the 14th minute and Park Seung-ho adding a second in stoppage time.

After the break, Jeong converted a penalty in the 49th minute, and Kang Seong-jin scored the fourth nine minutes later. Seo Jae-min closed the scoring in the 88th minute.

Macau will face the last opponent in Group J on Tuesday, September 9, against Laos at 4:30 p.m. (Macau time). Laos began their campaign with a 0-0 tie against Indonesia, followed by a 7-0 loss to Korea on match day 2.