BANGKOK (25 April 2012) – Vietnam exacted sweet revenge when they beat a mostly Under-21 side from Indonesia 5-3 to book their place in the final of the AFF Futsal Championship 2012 here at the BangkokThonburi Stadium.
The same Vietnamese side was denied a place in the recent AFC Futsal Championship when they lost to Indonesia 2-1 after extra time in the semi-final. But this time round, the script was different as Vietnam took a 2-1 lead at the half before scoring three further goals after the breather for the win.
“We were a little bit nervous as this was the same venue we lost to Indonesia in the AFC semi-final stage,” said Sergio Gargelli, the chief coach of Vietnam. “But overall , the team played really well and now we look forward to the final game.”
Putting pressure from the get go, Indonesia pushed Vietnam into their own half for much of the opening quarter. They created several chances on a trot but pivots Septian Cahya and Syahidansyah Lubis just could not find the right touch for the finish.
Their best chance at the start came in the tenth minute but with only keeper Dang Phuoc Anh to beat, skipper Randhyas Bahri just could not make it count. That failure to score pushed Vietnam into the attack and barely three minutes later, Nguyen Trong Thien nailed the opening goal from inside the D.
Indonesia refused to back down and they were quick to utilize an opening two minutes later for Karami Balfas to score off his off-trademark effort from long range which had Phuoc Anh rooted.
But it would be Vietnam who went into the break ahead when Bui Van Thang capitalized on a defensive lapse to score from close range with five minutes left of the first half.
With their noses in front, Vietnam pegged down their game somewhat in the second half as Indonesia tried hard to break down the defensive wall in search of the equalizer. And while Vietnam seemed certain that they will be able to hold out for the win, Indonesia’s persistency bore fruit in the 31st minute when Syahidansyah turned his marker Trong Thien to slam home the second goal.
Rattled, Vietnam fought back looking for the goal and they did not have to wait too long where in the 34th minute, Nguyen Hoang Giang restored their lead before Nguyen Quoc Bao (37th) then capitalized on an error from an Indonesian power play.
With the score at 4-2, Quoc Bao added further misery on Indonesia with Vietnam’s fifth goal of the afternoon on 39th minute. Not even a late strike from Indonesia’s Bambang Saptaji could deny Vietnam their place in the final in two days.
“We should not have lost this game,” lamented Justinus Lhaksana, the chief coach of Indonesia. “We should have made good on the several chances we created in the first half. “
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
– |
|
| 26–Apr | Rest Day | ||||||
| 27-
Apr-12 |
23
24 |
3rd/4th
Final |
Indonesia vs Loser SF2
Vietnam vs Winner SF2 |
1400
1700 |
Bangkok Thonburi | ||
