INDONESIA STAGE MIRACULOUS COMEBACK

The victory has reignited Indonesia’s hopes of making the last four after an opening loss to Malaysia. It was an especially crucial win as Indonesia face defending champions Vietnam in their last group tie which they are likely to lose. Thus, the three points today will offer a glimmer of hope of advancing.

In today’s match, the Philippines, despite the blistering hear, were the early aggressors and stormed ahead through Sharon Lynn Whelchel who caught the Indonesian keeper out with a lovely chip in the 26th minute.

Josephine Borja Luto scrambled in the second goal off a corner kick two minutes from the break.

Philippines continued to press forward in search of more goals but were unable to get their shots in due to some tight marking. With 20 minutes remaining on the clock, and with the dark clouds quickly moving in, Indonesia began to up the tempo and pulled one back through Ludia Ohee in the 72nd minute.

The skies opened up and unleashed its fury, yet the Indonesians never relented and continued to push forward. Their efforts paid off when Novennina Bahabol pounced on a weak clearance by the keeper to slam in the equalizer 10 minutes from the end.

And in the dying minutes, Indonesia’s persistence helped them his the jackpot when Novennina blasted in the winner.

“We realize that we don’t match the technical ability or the physique of the Philippines players. But my instructions to the players was to mark them closely and fight all the way, I told them not to give up. In football, fighting spirit can help,” said coach Henky Yan Rumere.

“We had a bad first half and again reminded the girls to mark their opponents very closely and try and look for the breaks. They were disciplined and followed my instructions,” said a delighted Henky.

The Philippines coach admitted that it was a disappointing result. “In the first half we very well, it all went as planned. After the break, it may have been due to fitness and also substitution problems,” said assistant coach Alfredo. “During our pre-match talk, we warned the girls about underestimating Indonesia’s spirit. Due credit must be given to Indonesia for their performance.”

“Now, because of the goal difference, we must hope for Vietnam to clobber Malaysia in the next game, and then we do the hard thing and try to beat Malaysia in our last match.”

Indonesia will face Vietnam in their final Group A match while Malaysia will square-off against the Philippines.

INDONESIA: Dorthe Kristina Rollo, Syane Stevelin Korwa, Ludia Ohee, Dopimina Kogoya, Yunita Silver Nere, Konstantina Deda (c), Novennina Bahabol, Artri Marice Ohee, Lenora Deda, Maesaroh, Renny Jikwa

PHILIPPINES: Nadia Fajardo Galang, Josephina Borja Luto, Marilou Bautista Rubio, Merlo Silva Albano, Angeline Mae San Pedro Impelido, Samantha Camille Dacanay Nierras, Marielle Moya Benitez (c), Alicia Morales Dela Pena, Mallory Lauren Santos, Sharon Lynn Whelchel, Elisa Leona Sehwani Benitez