BANGKOK (27 April 2012) – Two goals from pivot Randhyas Bahri led Indonesia to the bronze medal in the AFF Futsal Championship 2012 when they beat Malaysia 4-2 in the fight for third and fourth placing that was played this afternoon at the BangkokThonburi Stadium.
But the game was marred by two red cards – one on Malaysian keeper Mohd Firdaus Razali (direct red on 32nd minute) and Randhyas, who turned from hero to zero at the tail end of the game, after picking up his second yellow card in an intensely contested affair.
“We played much better in the second half but I really can’t complain as afterall, we still won the game,” said Justinus Lhaksana, after the match.
Other than the two ‘red’ blots, the game today was also marked by the use of electronic A-boards for the first time ever in an AFF tournament. All equipments were supplied by the BangkokThonburi University.
The Indonesians, who were the defending champions, took a while to warm up and while they created several chances in the opener, it took them until the 15th minute to break the deadlock when Karami Balfas shot in from the left which skimmed off Malaysian custodian Mohd Firdaus Razali and into goal.
Undeterred, the Malaysians fought back with the equalizer two minutes later when Ahmad Fawzul Mohamad blasted in from inside the D to put the score on level 1-1 going into the break.
But Indonesia were quicker into the second half where barely a minute in, Ismail knocked in the lead before pivot Randhyas Bahri gave them a comfortable two-goal cushion three minutes later. Then off a superb display of individual skill on 32 minute, Randhyas knocked in the fourth goal for Indonesia.
And while not too long afterwards, Malaysia lost keeper Mohd Firdaus to a straight card for an offence on Randhyas, it did not deter them from scoring their second goal off Zubaidee Alwee.
Just when the drama seem to be all over, Randhyas earned the wrath of referee Kaveepol Kamawitee of Thailand right at the death for his second yellow card offense which saw him being removed from the game.
PIX: Indonesia’s Randhyas Syamsul Bahri celebrates after scoring his second goal and his team’s fourth in their 4-2 win over Malaysia.
AFF FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2012
SEMI-FINALS FIXTURES and RESULTS
| Date | Match
No. |
Group | Match | Time | Venue | SCORE | |
| 25-
Apr-12 |
21
22 |
SF1
SF2 |
Vietnam vs Indonesia
Thailand vs Malaysia |
1400
1700 |
Bangkok Thonburi | 5 – 3
12 – 1 |
|
| 26-Apr | Rest Day | ||||||
| 27-
Apr-12 |
23
24 |
3rd/4th
Final |
Indonesia vs Malaysia
Vietnam vs Thailand |
1400
1700 |
Bangkok Thonburi | 4 – 2 | |
