Jose Cristian Gonzales scored the only goal of the game to give Indonesia a 1-0 victory over the Philippines in the first leg of their AFF Cup semi-final today.

Indonesian's player Muhammad Ridwan (R) vies for a ball with Philippines player James Joseph
(AFP)

The striker pounced on a mix-up between goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and full-back Ray Jonsson to head home just after the half hour at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.

Aside from that lapse the Philippines had largely been solid in defence, and although they had few chances to score themselves they went close to grabbing an equaliser 15 minutes from time when James Younghusband rifled a bicycle kick goalwards that needed a last-ditch clearance from Zulkifly Syukur.

That proved to be the last noteworthy action of the game and Indonesia will be hoping to seal their passage to the final of the tournament when the two sides meet again in the second leg at the same stadium on Sunday.