The ASEAN U-23 Mandiri Cup™ 2025 delivered a thrilling night of drama in Bekasi on Wednesday, with both Timor Leste and Cambodia mounting spirited comebacks to earn crucial draws in their respective group openers at the Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium.
In Group C, a goal-packed rollercoaster saw Timor Leste hold Myanmar 4-4, with Alexandro Corsino Lemos netting a dramatic injury-time equaliser in a match that saw the momentum swing wildly from end to end.
Myanmar appeared to be cruising after early goals from Shine Wanna Aung and Zaw Win Thein gave them a 2-0 lead before the break. However, Zenevio Gustavo Conceicao pulled one back for Timor Leste in first-half stoppage time and then turned provider for Luis Figo’s header to make it 2-2 early in the second half.
Myanmar responded immediately, restoring their lead through Than Toe Aung and extending it via Min Maw Oo’s long-range effort. But the resilient Timorese weren’t finished. Vabio Canavaro’s strike from distance gave them hope, and in the 91st minute, Zenevio’s cross found Alexandro, who tapped home to complete a stunning comeback and seal a share of the spoils.
Earlier in Group B, Cambodia battled back to draw 1-1 with Laos, thanks to a spectacular long-range effort from Phat Sokha midway through the second half.
Laos had taken a deserved 1-0 lead in the 19th minute when Phousomboun Panyavong pounced on a defensive error to finish smartly past Reth Ly Heng. Damoth Thongkhamsavath missed a golden chance to double the lead minutes later, firing over after a solo run.
Cambodia, under coach Koji Gyotoku, controlled possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances in the first half. They turned up the pressure after the restart, and in the 57th minute, Phat Sokha unleashed a thunderous left-footed strike from over 20 yards to draw the sides level.
The Cambodians pushed for a winner late on, with Hay Soknet twice denied—once by a goal-line clearance and then by an acrobatic save from Kop Lokphathip—but Laos held firm to secure a valuable point.
With both matches ending in dramatic draws, the group standings remain wide open. Timor Leste face Thailand next in Group C, while Cambodia and Laos must now prepare for crucial showdowns with defending champions Vietnam in Group B.