ANTONI SEALS FAMOUS VICTORY FOR INDONESIA

With the bruising tie clearly heading towards a goalless affair, Antoni provided the winner against Timor Leste in an emotional encounter in the second match on the opening day of the AFF Under-16 Championship.

While Indonesia were in the driver’s seat for most of the game, Timor Leste surprised everyone with some excellent moves that could have led to goals. Indonesia should have wrapped up the game earlier but were let down by some poor finishing.

Ricky Alfian, the nippy left flanker, along with Ricki Bardes Leurama and Antoni were constantly harassing the Timor goal. What stopped them from breaking the duck any earlier was some superb goalkeeping from Ramos Maxanches.

In the first half, Indonesia managed to sneak through several times and really should have at least scored once but their strikers attempts were mainly snuffed out by a quick Ramos between the posts. One fine example was when Ricki broke through and with only Ramos to beat ended with nothing to show. Ricki fell in dismay as the keeper pushed out the close range shot.

Angga Febryanto Putra and Ricky also saw their efforts saved to go just wide.

Timor Leste saw their best chance of the first half wasted when striker Nidio Ferreira Alves stormed through the defence and only had the keeper to beat, but he was too slow to take his shot.

Indonesia, inspired by the 10,000 plus singing fans, continued to push hard but were unable to find the mark. Sadly, the game took a turn for the bad with about six yellow cards being handed out in the second half.

The rain, which came pouring down some 10 minutes before the end, made life harder, yet credit to the Indonesian team as they plundered on in search of the winner. And they were justly rewarded by player No. 8, Antoni to cap a brilliant start for the hosts in this tournament.

Teams

Indonesia: Achmad Risky Kurniawan (GK), Hendriko Kiko Masko, Wanda Syahputra, Arief Gangsar Patar (Dhomas), Ricky Alfian, Antoni Putro Nugroho, Ricki Bardes Leurama (Robin), Reynaldy Junior Alfiansyah, Purwa Putra, Dwi Yusop Purnomo, Angga Febryanto Putra,
Subs: Nursanjaya, Abdul Mutoleb, Haniel Pagawak, Robin Bagus Febrian, Hadi Wibowo, Maldini, Dhomas Adhitya, Jupriyanto, Firmansyah Priyatna.
Coach: Mundari Karya
Scorers: Antoni Putra (91st)
Yellow: Reynaldy (47th), Purwa (62nd), Dhomas (69th)

Timor Leste: Ramos Maxanches (GK), Raimundo Sarmento, Marcus Gusmao, Nelson Sing, Jose Carlos Fonseca, Nicolau Fernandes, Nidio Alves, Rogerio Seran, Fidel de Araujo, Adelino Reis, Olegario de Araujo.
Subs: Olandino De Jesus, Rifqi Attamimi, Nidio Neto, Nataniel Reis, Fagio Pereira, Jose Maria Oliveira, Jorge Victor, Jose Martins Do Rego, Filipe Oliveira.
Coach: Kim Shin Hwan
Scorers: none
Yellow: Adelino (7th), Nelson Sing (19th), Nidio (42nd), Rogerio (50th), Nicolau (54th)

REMAINING FIXTURES (All matches at Manahan Stadium, Solo)

Wednesday
3.30pm: Timor Leste vs China
5.30pm: Vietnam vs Indonesia

Friday
3.30pm: Vietnam vs Timor Leste
5.30pm: Indonesia vs China

Sunday
3.00pm: 3rd-4th Playoff
6.00pm: Final