Courtesy: The Jakarta Globe


Red-Hot Indonesia Stays Perfect to Book its Spot in Futsal Final

April 08, 2010

by Sandy Pramuji

Indonesia rallied from a goal down to edge out host Vietnam 2-1 and make sure of its place in the AFF Futsal Championship grand final.

Thursday’s victory at Phu Tho Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City maintained Indonesia’s 100 percent record after three matches. It finishes round-robin play today against the Philippines, with the final of the event taking place on Sunday.

“Vietnam played very well, but we relied on quick counter-attacks to get back at them and that paid off in the second half. It is a nice feeling to be in the final,” Indonesia coach Robby Hartono told the AFF Web site.

Second-place Vietnam is level on six points with Malaysia, which beat Burma 2-0 on Thursday. Vietnam and Malaysia meet today for the other spot in the final.

Backed by thousands of supporters, Vietnam surged forward early and took an 18th-minute lead through Huynh Ba Tuan.

Indonesia climbed back into the contest, though, and its superior speed showed in the second half.

Phuoc Anh swept the ball into his own net in the 30th minute following a goalmouth scramble, leveling the score. Sayan Karmadi put Indonesia in front four minutes later when he scored off an Indra Kurnia pass.

“We were just a little inexperienced,” Vietnam head coach Sergio Gargelli said. “We were already in front and we should have played a smarter game. Now, there is no choice but to beat Malaysia next.”

In the early match, Mohd Khairul Effendy found the net twice to keep alive Malaysia’s hopes of a place in the final.

“It is a small lifeline for us, but we are still not playing at the level which I know we are capable of,” Malaysia team manager Hamidin Mohd Amin said. “Now we have to prepare for the crucial game against Vietnam.

Burma bowed out of the tournament winless in four matches, including a 5-2 loss to the Philippines on Wednesday.


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com