INDONESIA SCORE FIRST WIN

But in the end, Indonesia were well-deserving of the 3-0 win they scored over Brunei in the first game in Group A of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-17 Championship here at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh.

With the score standing at just 1-0 in the first half off a rebounder from Sahlan Sodik, Indonesia added two more goals in the second half from Yericho Cristiantoko and Salim Ohorella for the final scoreline.

“The rain in the latter part of the second half affected the quality of the match,” said Indonesian head coach Urias afterwards.

“But it was three points nonetheless and I’m not even thinking beyond the next match in the group which is against host Cambodia.”

The match opens with Indonesia going forward almost at will against a markedly improved Brunei side who under South Korean coach Kwon Oh Soon has managed to organise the defence well.

They held out for much of the opening quarter to fend off Indonesia when they denied striker Sahlan on two occasions.

However just before the break, Indonesia went in front when Brunei defender Muhammad Fazizulazeem Al-Jum’s attempt at a clearance came off Sahlan for the first goal of the tournament.

Brunei were left to do little more than protect their turf after the break as Indonesia piled the pressure in search of further goals.

In the 70th minute, Yericho drove a superb free kick from 20metres out for the second goal before Salim added the final touch ten minutes to the end.

“Our players are very young and they do not have a lot of match experience,” said Oh Soon.

“So that is why it is important for the players to take part in this tournament as it has given them a lot of lessons. We will analyse the match today and do the corrections and recovery training tomorrow.”

PIC: Brunei (in yellow) against Indonesia (in red)

IN THE MEANTIME, the Cambodia-Thailand clash which is the second match in Group A had to be called off due to the incessant rain.

The match will be played tomorrow morning at 9am at the same venue of the National Olympic Stadium here in Phnom Penh.

GROUP A STANDING

1. INDONESIA 3pts (+3); 2. BRUNEI 0pt (-3); 3. CAMBODIA 0pt; 4. THAILAND 0pt.