INDONESIA SINK TO AN EARLY VIETNAM STRIKE

“Playing against the home team is always difficult, so our gameplan was to defend and rely on the counter-attack. We scored the early goal and that gave us the confidence for the rest of the match,” said Dien Bien, the team manager of Vietnam.

For Indonesia, their hopes of making the final will now hinge on the outcome of their final preliminary game against China on Friday. Vietnam, with six points in the bag, are virtually through and only need a draw with Timor Leste on Friday evening to claim their place in the final.

The atmosphere was superb as the local Solo fans, known as Pasoepati, passionately cheered on their team. Unfortunately, Indonesia suffered a lapse at the back and Vietnam’s Nguyen Do managed to scramble in what turned out to be the match winner just six minutes into the game.

Stunned by the early setback, Indonesia fought back and tried hard to get the equalizer but were unfortunate Nguyen Son Hai was on song and stopped everything that went his way. Ricky Alfian and Antoni Putro Nugraha, who netted the winner against Timor Leste two days ago, were on the prowl but caught nothing.

Vietnam should have netted at least one more goal but Nguyen Xuan Nam, probably the most hardworking player in the side, skipper Dang Anh Tuan and Nguyen Van Vui found that their best tonight was just not enough to add to the tally.

Indonesia had great chance in the 71st minute when Reynaldy Junior’s long freekick found Antoni in the box. But Antoni could not keep his shot down as Vietnam heaved a sigh of relief.

“It was tough playing against a team like Vietnam and we struggled because we did not have a strong playmaker. Against China, we have little choice but to win the game to make the final,” added Mundar Karya, the chief coach of Indonesia.

Teams

Vietnam: Nguyen Son Hai (GK), Nguyen Ha Long, Dao Duy Khanh, Dang Anh Tuan (cpt), Do Manh Giang, Huynh Tan Tai (Nguyen Van Hiep), Vo Ngoc Duc, Nguyen Do (Nguyen Viet Thang), Vo Ngoc Toan, Nguyen Van Nui, Nguyen Xuan Nam (Nguyen Anh Phong).
Subs: Le Van Nghia (GK), Hoang Son Tung, Nguyen Cong Danh, Nguyen Van Dung, Nguyen Minh Hai, Nguyen Viet Thang, Nguyen Van Hiep, Ho Ngoc Thang, Nguyen Anh Phong
Coach: Hoang Van Phuc
Scorers: Nguyen Do (6th)
Yellow: Nguyen Do, Nguyen Son Hai, Nguyen Van Vui
Red: nil

Indonesia: Achmad Risky Kurniawan (GK), Hendriko Kiko Masko, Wanda Syahputra, Arief Gangsar Patar (Dhomas), Ricky Alfian, Antoni Putro Nugroho, Ricki Bardes Leurama, Reynaldy Junior Alfiansyah (Hadi), Purwa Putra (cpt), Dwi Yusop Purnomo, Angga Febryanto Putra.
Subs: Nursanjaya, Abdul Mutoleb, Haniel Pagawak, Robin Bagus Febrian, Hadi Wibowo, Maldini, Dhomas Adhitya, Jupriyanto, Firmansyah Priyatna.
Coach: Mundari Karya
Scorers: nil
Yellow: nil
Red: nil

REMAINING FIXTURES (All matches at Manahan Stadium, Solo)

Friday
3.30pm: Vietnam vs Timor Leste
6.00pm: Indonesia vs China

Sunday
3.00pm: 3rd-4th Playoff
6.00pm: Final