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Indonesia stopped in AFF Cup semifinals
Regional powerhouse and tournament favorite Thailand eliminated Indonesia from the 2008 ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup soccer tournament with a 2-1 win in the second leg of their semifinal match at Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, on Saturday
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Regional powerhouse and tournament favorite Thailand eliminated Indonesia from the 2008 ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup soccer tournament with a 2-1 win in the second leg of their semifinal match at Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, on Saturday.
Thailand is through to the final with a 3-1 on aggregate following its 1-0 victory in the first leg in Jakarta.
British Peter Reid's men will take on either defending champion Singapore or Vietnam, both up against each other in Singapore's National Stadium on Sunday after drawing their first match 0-0.
The Red-and-White team started the game with a promising performance after defender Nova Arianto headed a corner cross from Ismed Sofyan on the ninth minute to put Indonesia 1-0 in the lead.
But that's all the visitors got. They duly lost concentration, lacked teamwork and easily lost possession.
On the other hand, Thailand, supported by some 40,000 spectators in the stadium, was quick to regroup and take control of the game.
With the Thais failing to convert their goal chances, Indonesia managed to hang on to its lead at the end of the first half.
The host team continued to enjoy the lion's share of possession and constantly threatened Indonesia's goal, marshaled by Markus Horison.
The equalizer came in the 72nd minute through Teerathep Winothai who picked a cross from Indonesia's right wing and blasted the ball at close range.
Substitute Ronnachai Rangsiyo sealed the Thai win two minutes to the end as the three-time champion marched to their fifth tournament final.
"Credit to Indonesia for changing the system and that made all the difference on the night," Peter Reid, the head coach for Thailand, was quoted in www.affsuzukicup.com as saying.
"But I told the players that they have to be patient as considering the defensive work rate which Indonesia was doing, there was no way they could keep it up in the second half.
"Football is 90 minutes long. You don't win in 45 minutes," he said.
Indonesian head coach Benny Dollo acknowledged his opponents' strength.
"Thailand has quality in every department, so it was difficult for us to play an open game," Benny Dollo said.
Saturday's loss marked yet another round of Indonesia failing to win the trophy, with its best performance being finalist three times in 2000, 2002 and 2004.
