Indonesia have maintained their perfect start to the 2020 AFF Suzuki Cup as they picked up a 5-1 win over a Laos side that grabbed their first goal at the tournament at Bishan Stadium.

A penalty midway through the first half, converted by Asnawi Mangkualam, and a close-range effort from Irfan Jaya in the 34th minute had Indonesia in control only for Kydavone Souvanny to score one of the goals of the tournament seven minutes later to make it 2-1 at the break.

Witan Sulaeman extended the lead nine minutes after the restart before further strikes from Ezra Walian and Evan Dimas rounded out a win that coach Shin Tae-yong described as a well-deserved one.

“I want to congratulate the players on the win. All of the squad have been working so hard and even though we introduced some new players today this is a win that was earned by all 30 players in the squad.

“We know that there will be more difficult matches ahead so this win can give us confidence and if we play bravely then I’m sure we can get more positive results going forward.”

Following a tight opening spell it was Indonesia that went ahead in the 23rd minute as Asnawi rifled a thumping effort from the spot past Keo Oudone Souvannasangso after Alfeandra Dewanggawas was clipped in the box.

After Laos forward Billy Ketkeophomphone had blazed an ambitious long-range shot from a free kick wide on the half hour it was the Garuda that doubled their lead as a powerful run and cross down the right from Asnawi saw the Laos defence ball-watching with Irfan tapping into an empty net to make it 2-0 in the 34th minute.

Laos pulled a goal back just six minutes later as a long counter was finished emphatically by Kydavone as Team Xat scored their first goal at the tournament and sent Indonesia to the break with a nervy 2-1 lead.

It was a lead that they doubled nine minutes into the second half as a cross from Irfan was met by Witan who slotted home from the edge of the box to make it 3-1 in the 56th minute.

Indonesia then started to control the tempo of the match although without creating many clear-cut chances as the best of their efforts saw Witan push an attempt wide in the 68th minute and captain Dimas do likewise with a quarter of an hour remaining.

They made absolutely sure of the points soon after, though, as Witan slid a ball through from the right for another substitute in Walian, who dropped off his marker and fired past keeper Solasak Thilavong – on as a half-time substitute – to make it 4-1 in the 77th minute.

Seven minutes later Dimas raced onto a lofted ball over the top and eased an effort past Solasak from close range to round out the 5-1 win.

That leaves Laos bottom of the standings and still chasing their first points of the tournament but coach V. Selvaraj said there are still positives to be drawn from the performance.

“We played a lot of young players today to give them an opportunity, but we are facing teams that are stronger than us so I want to keep giving those opportunities to the younger players," said the Singaporean.

"This is something that we have decided is the best approach for us and which will be the way forward so that they can gain more experience.”