SHAH ALAM (19 Sept 2014) – INDONESIA made their intentions loud and clear on the opening day of the AFF Futsal Championship here today when they battered hosts and archrivals Malaysia 6-1 in a Group A preliminary round tie at the Malawati Stadium this evening. Indonesia built on their slim 2-1 lead at the break to walk away with a smashing win today.
In earlier matches today, Vietnam whipped Myanmar 6-1 while Timor Leste defeated Brunei 2-0. The Philippines and Laos played out a thrilling 4-4 draw.
In this evening’s match, Indonesia launched into attack from the whistle. Their efforts were rewarded with an early goal when Bambang Bayu Saptaji stunned the home fans with the first goal of the match in the third minute.
Indonesia continued to pound the Malaysian goal and almost added a second but Ahmad Zulfikar missed his shot from close range. Indonesia however was not to be denied in the eight minute. Off a corner kick, Andri Kustiawan blasted rammed his shot into the goal.
Encouraged by the unwavering support from a small band of Malaysian fans, the home team charged back and made it through in the 10th minute from a Mohd Khairul Effendy Mohd Bahrin strike.
Indonesia added two quick goals through Jaelani Ladjanibi and Ardy Dwi Suwardy in the 24th and 25th minutes. The fifth goal in the 35th minute was a stunner as Bambang blasted in a rebound off a strike from Andriansyah Agustin. Nur Ali sealed it for Indonesia in the 36th minute.
“We knew that Malaysia will be coming at us,” said Indonesian coach Dadang Iskandar. “So we relied more on the counter-attacks. We were a lot more faster and I thought that Malaysia were unlucky with the chances they had.”
In the third match of the day, Laos and the Philippines fought all the way in a fast-paced game that ended in a 4-4 draw.
The Filipinos blasted ahead after only four minutes thanks to a smasher of a shot from Michael Mari Valino Reyes. But their lead did not last long when Vilakone Vannavong hit the equalizer just two minutes later.
The two teams went out in search of more goals but it was the Philippines who found the net in the 12th minute through Patrick Joseph Sison Bocobo. Seconds before the break, Laos made it all square again when Soulichanh Phasawaeng hit the target.
Soon after the game resumed, Laos managed to work their way through the defence to take the lead through Panida Sinthapaseuth. In the 26th minute, the Philippines drew level with a superb strike from skipper Floriano Jr Sevilla Pasilan.
Both teams were not done yet and continued attacking in waves. Soulichanh got his name on the scoresheet for a second time in the 33rd minute. With the game quickly coming to an end, Laos hopes of walking away with full points were dashed when a penalty was awarded. Jake Tabal Morallo stepped up and got the job done to ensure the Filipinos collected a point.
TODAY’S RESULTS
Group A: Timor Leste bt Brunei 2-0, Indonesia bt Malaysia 6-1
Group B: Vietnam bt Myanmar 6-1, Philippines-Laos 4-4
TOMORROW’S FIXTURES
Group A: Timor Leste vs Australia, Brunei vs Malaysia
Group B: Philippines vs Thailand, Laos vs Myanmar
