INDONESIA BEAT PELITA; THAILAND FALL IN RIYADH

The Indonesian national team will be using the Grand Royal Challenge Cup as part of their tune-up for the AFF Suzuki Cup 2008 next month.

The other Asean teams who will be taking part in the Grand Royal Challenge Cup are hosts Myanmar, Malaysia and the Vietnam Olympic squad.

In the friendly against Pelita, the Indonesia national side got their first win after two days of training with goals from Budi Sudarsono (pic), Musafri, Aliyudin and Arif Suyono.

The only goal for Pelita was scored by Romly.

“The team adapted very well from the initial 4-4-2 system which we used where Ponaryo (Astaman) and the lads varied their game when they go forward,” said Benny Dolo, the Indonesia national coach.

“Even though the players have only been together for two straight days of training, they have made considerable improvements in terms of organization, creating chances and finishing.

“But I think that we are still a little weak at the back and we really need to improve on that. Having said that, I think that the goalkeepers just need a bit of rest as they have been playing quite regularly in what has been a long season. They will improve.”

In the meantime, the Thai national team did not fare well in their trip to Riyadh when they fell to a 1-0 loss to the Saudi Arabia.

Thailand national coach Peter Reid had wanted to use this friendly to build the momentum for the AFF Suzuki Cup 2008 next month following their 1-0 win over DPR Korea (in the T&T Cup) recently.

Following a first-half deadlock, Nayef Hazazi slammed home only goal of the game in the 65th minute.