DRAW AGAINST VILLA INSPIRES INDONESIA U16

The Indonesian team which is being moulded by head coach Mundari Karya led 2-0 at the break off goals from Tommy Veriyanto (penalty) and Fahreza Gamal.

But a late rally towards the end of the game allowed Villa 2000 to score twice for the final score line.

“We played very well in the match and our performance was beyond reproach,” said Mundari.

“But we conceded a goal when we were making a substitution and that gave the impetus for Villa to come back.”

Against Australia which they will play as their first match opponent on Friday, Mundari is optimistic when he said: “We are quite optimistic and I hope that the players will keep their confidence. But in terms of physique, the Australians are taller, although in terms of quality, we are of equal standard.”

Mundari made this assessment after watching the Australian youth side play a game against Villa 2000 a day earlier with the result in favour of the visitors with a 2-1 score.

In the meantime, the Indonesian side will be fortified with the appearance of Rudi Setiawan, the 15-year-old who emerged as the best player at the recent Nike U-14 ASEAN 2008 which took place in Malaysia recently.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE and RESULTS

09/07/08
1600 WIB: Australia vs Bahrain
1900 WIB: Singapore vs Malaysia

11/07/08
1600 WIB: Bahrain vs Singapore
1900 WIB: Indonesia vs Australia

13/07/08
1600 WIB: Australia vs Malaysia
1900 WIB: Bahrain vs Indonesia

15/07/08
1600 WIB: Malaysia vs Indonesia
1900 WIB: Singapore vs Australia

17/07/08
1600 WIB: Indonesia vs Singapore
1900 WIB: Malaysia vs Bahrain

19/07/08
1600 WIB: Third vs Fourth
1900 WIB: First vs Second (Grand Final)