CHINA EDGE HOSTS INDONESIA TO FACE VIETNAM IN FINAL

Yiming, who was red carded in China’s first match against Vietnam, was influential in making sure that Purwa Putra and friends were kept at bay.

“Yes Liuming made it a lot difference today and after sitting out the last match (against Timor Leste) due to the red card suspension, he was more fresh against Indonesia. We are just glad to be in the final where today, the players really gave a good account of themselves,” said Zhang Ning, the chief coach of China.

It was China who were the early aggresor even though the hosts were buoyed by the several thousand Pasoepati fans behind them.

And just nine minutes into the game, China grabbed the lead when Liang Yu flicked the ball into the net after a throw-in from Zheng Dalin.

As Indonesia pushed hard in search of the equaliser, they fell further behind when Chen Shuo found the space and time for the second goal.

With the score at 2-0 to China’s advantage at the break, Indonesia came out stronger in the second half and after some sustained pressure up until the 59th minute, a cross from Ricky Alfian came off Chinese defender Sun Zhengao and into goal.

That gave Indonesia further confidence but in their haste to find the all important equaliser, they left themselves vulnerable at the back which substitute Shen Tianfeng did not hesitate to punish in the 70th minute of play.

“The players only came out in the second half. The first half, they just did not play as well as they could. They should learn to play their normal game no matter who they play against. It is something which they need to master with more matches they play in the run up to the Uzbekista meet,” added Mundari Karya, the chief coach of Indonesia.

Teams

Indonesia: Achmad Risky Kurniawan (GK), Hendriko Kiko Masko, Haniel Pagawak, Wanda Syahputra, Ricky Alfian, Antoni Putro Nugroho, Ricki Bardes Leurama, Reynaldy Junior Alfiansyah, Purwa Putra (cpt), Angga Febryanto Putra, Dhomas Adhitya.
Subs: Firmansyah Priyatna, Dwi Purnomo, Robin Febrian.
Coach: Mundari Karya
Scorers: Sun Zhengao (59th minute, og)
Yellow: Wanda Syahputra (30minute); Ricky Alfian (82nd minute)
Red: nil

China: Wang Boyan (GK), Liu Yiming, Hu Bowen, Cui Wei, Zheng Dalun (cpt), Liang Yu, Yang Shiyuan, Chen Shuo, Luo Tian, Sun Zhengao, Zhou Qiming.
Subs: Shen Tianfeng, Wu Hao, Zheng Fengwei.
Coach: Zhang Ning
Scorers: Liang Yu (9th minute); Chen Shuo (18th minute); Shen Tianfeng (70th minute)
Yellow: Yang Shiyuan (38th minute); Chen Shuo (50th minute)
Red: nil

REMAINING FIXTURES (All matches at Manahan Stadium, Solo)

Sunday
3.30pm (3rd-4th Playoff): Timor Leste vs Indonesia
6.00pm (Final): China vs Vietnam