The match at the Republican Central Stadium was filled with action, and Australia were awarded a golden opportunity as early as the fourth minute when Ramai Rumakiek took down Lewis Miller in the box, but Indonesia goalkeeper Ernando Ari Sutaryadi guessed correctly to deny Patrick Wood’s spot-kick. 

Australia didn’t let up with Jacob Italiano and Lachlan Brook continuously challenging Sutaryadi, who pulled off save after save to keep the game in a deadlock. 

The stalemate, however, was broken in the second half with Brook curling in a free-kick into the box that a diving Marc Tokich headed home to give Australia the lead in the 53rd minute. 

Buoyed by the goal, Australia continued pressing and their efforts bore fruit again six minutes later when substitute Alessandro Lopane beat the offside trap to collect Brook’s through pass, before sending it over to an unmarked Wood for a tap in. 

Despite the two-goal deficit, Shin Tae-yong’s Indonesia displayed resilience and pulled one back in the 67th minute when Witan Sulaeman unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box. 

Italiano then showed exquisite skill in the 77th minute by weaving through the Indonesian defence before firing a cracking shot to restore Australia’s lead. 

Indonesia didn’t let up and their persistence saw substitute Taufik Hidayat find the back of the net in the 83rd minute to ensure the Southeast Asian side head into Friday’s rematch still within striking distance of the Finals.