INDONESIA HOLD MALAYSIA; THAILAND GO TOP

With Thailand beating minnows Brunei 3-0 in the first game of the afternoon, the second match of the evening was every bit as pulsating and dramatic to the very end for both teams to share the one point each.

“The two goals that we conceded was our mistake even though we created a lot of chances in the first half,” said Indonesian head coach Urias.

“We pressed Malaysia hard in the second half and we scored two goals. We are improving from game to game and we are looking forward to our last group match (against Thailand on Aug 27) to put us in the semi-finals.”

Despite a bright start, Indonesia conceded the first own-goal in the competition this year when Feadiansyah – after being pressured by Malaysia’s Sabri Sahar – headed the ball past his own keeper to give Malaysia the lead.

And even though they tried hard to get back into the game after that, a second mistake from Feadiansyah allowed D. Saarvindran to capitalise for Malaysia’s second goal of the afternoon.

Two goals down at the break pushed Indonesia into the attack in the second half against a defence-minded Malaysian side.

In the 73rd minute, a rash tackle from Muhammad Aminuddin Azmi on Indonesia’s Ramdhan Akbar saw Malaysia conceding a penalty which Kurniawan did not miss from the spot.

Further pressure saw Malaysia conceding their second goal of the evening when Yericho Cristiantoko made good on a rebound to slot the ball home for the well-deserved equaliser.

“One point is better than nothing,” lamented Malaysia head coach Aminuddin Hussin after the game.

“The team did not play their usual game today and easily lost shape to allow Indonesia the opportunity to stage a come back in the second half.”

IN THE MEANTIME, in an earlier group match, Thailand scored their second win of the competition when they beat Brunei 3-0.

The Bruneians who had conceded a 7-0 defeat to Malaysia in their second match of the group two days ago, were a lot more resolute in their defence to restrict powerhouse Thailand to just a 2-0 lead at the break.

The Thai goals were scored by Surachat Boomwang from a Sarawut Cheepnurat’c corner in the eighth minute before an opportunistic strike from Vuttipong Paenchum who capitalised on a defensive mistake to slam home from close range in the 16th minutes.

“Actually Brunei is strong and they played hard throughout the 90 minutes,” said Thailand head coach Prayoung Khunan.

“There are still two more games to play for and it will be against strong teams (Malaysia on Aug 25 and Indonesia on Aug 27).But we have to do our best to make into the next round.”

Perhaps it was the afternoon heat or that maybe winning the three points was enough than a big score line but in the second half, Thailand wasted numerous chances which could have seen them walk away with a bigger score.

In the end, they scored their only goal after the break for the 3-0 score line when Anusak Laosangthai rifled in from inside the box in the 72nd minute.

“There is a big gulf between our players and the Thais in terms of skill and physical strength,” added Brunei head coach Kuon Soon Oh.

“But the one thing which was obvious today is that our boys fought from the start to the end.”

GROUP A STANDING

1. THAILAND 6pts (+4); 2. INDONESIA 5pts (+3); 3. MALAYSIA 4pts (+7); 4. CAMBODIA 1pt (-1); 5. BRUNEI 0pt (-13)