The 2024 AFF U-19 Championship has concluded with Indonesia U-19 emerging as the champion. This victory marks Indonesia's second title in the AFF U-19 Championship, ending a 10-year wait for the national team. Under Coach Indra Sjafri, Indonesia U-19 secured the championship by defeating Thailand in the final with a score of 1-0.
The decisive goal was scored by Jens Raven in the 17th minute with a touch in front of Thailand's goal, following a corner kick headed by Kadek Arel and finished by Raven. In addition to the team's victory, several players received individual awards for their outstanding contributions throughout the tournament. These include Jake Najdovski (AUS) as the top scorer, Dony Tri Pamungkas (INA) as the best player, and Ikram Algiffari (INA) as the best goalkeeper.
Read Also: Historic Victory: Indonesia U-19 Overpowers Thailand to Win AFF Championship
It is interesting to delve into the profiles of these star players:
Jens Raven (INA)
Jens Raven, a forward with Dutch-Yogyakarta heritage, plays for Dordrecht U-21 in the Dutch second division. With Indonesian ancestry from his grandmother, the naturalized player is considered a promising talent for Indonesian football at just 18 years old. Standing at nearly 190 cm tall, Raven made history by scoring the winning goal that secured Indonesia's long-awaited AFF U-19 Championship title in 2024. Coach Shin Tae-Yong has been monitoring Raven, hoping he will be a future option for the national team.
Jake Najdovski (AUS)
Jake Najdovski is a professional footballer from Australia who plays as a forward for Western United. This talented young player, representing Australia's U-19 team in the 2024 AFF Championship, emerged as the top scorer with five goals. Najdovski's prowess was a key factor in Australia's third-place finish in the tournament, showcasing the country's pool of promising young talent.
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Dony Tri Pamungkas (INA)
Dony Tri Pamungkas made his mark as the best player in the 2024 AFF U-19 Championship. Currently playing as a midfielder for Persija Jakarta, Dony also captains the Indonesia U-19 team under Coach Indra Sjafri. He played a pivotal role in leading Indonesia to victory. Dony received the best player award directly from Erick Thohir, the Chairman of PSSI. Born in 2005, Dony's determination to represent the national team led him to leave his hometown of Boyolali, and his hard work paid off with the AFF U-19 Championship title.
Ikram Algiffari (INA)
Ikram Algiffari, the goalkeeper for Indonesia U-19, has become a household name in Indonesia after being named the best goalkeeper of the 2024 AFF Championship. Currently playing for Semen Padang, Ikram delivered stellar performances throughout the tournament, almost achieving a perfect record if not for conceding a goal against Timor Leste in the final group stage match. Nevertheless, Ikram's exceptional skills and crucial saves earned him the accolade of the best goalkeeper in the 2024 AFF Championship.
