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Uruguay thrash low-stamina Indonesia 7-1
Soccer World Cup semifinalists Uruguay proved their FIFA top 10 ranking by humiliating Indonesia 7-1 at Friday’s friendly at Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta
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occer World Cup semifinalists Uruguay proved their FIFA top 10 ranking by humiliating Indonesia 7-1 at Friday’s friendly at Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.
Down and out: Indonesian goalkeeper Markus Horison fails to catch the ball as Uruguay’s Luis Suarez dribbles past during a friendly soccer match at the Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Friday. JP/R. Berto Wedhatama
“It’s clear to see the wide gap between Indonesia, ranked 131st by FIFA, and a World Cup semifinalist that is world No. 7,” Indonesian national team coach Alfred Riedl said Friday after the match.
“The [lack of] fitness was the biggest problem for our players, individually,” Riedl said, citing the lack of preparation and too much local competitive action as other factors.
Meanwhile, Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez, who expressed satisfaction with his team’s offense, commented: “The Indonesians played really fast in the first half, which we predicted. Our defenders also lost their focus.”
Defender Diego Lugano and striker Luis Suarez agreed that Indonesia had the potential to play world-class soccer, especially if it developed its fast play style.
Indonesia briefly lighted up the fantasy of emulating the 1974 achievement, when Indonesia defeated Uruguay 2-1 in a friendly prior to the 1974 World Cup. In the 16th- minute of the first half, Indonesian ace striker Boaz Salossa assisted by striker Bambang Pamungkas managed to trick goalkeeper Juan Guillermo Castillo and scored the host’s first and only goal. Spectators gave a standing ovation in the poorly filled stadium.
Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani as well as midfielder Walter Gargano attempted several shots, but were foiled by Indonesian goalkeeper Markus Horison.
In the 34th-minute Cavani headed the first of Uruguay’s many goals after an assist from Maximiliano Perreira to even the game 1-1.
On the 38th-minute, another assist from Maximiliano to Christian Rodriguez, came very close to the net.
Two minutes later following a bombardment of attacks, Boas made another attempt for goal, but was in an offside position.
In the 42nd-minute, Uruguay finally broke through with a second goal by the Ajax striker Luis Suarez, despite being tightly guarded by two defenders.
In the second half, the Uruguayan goal was not disturbed by Indonesia, as the hosts were forced back into their half.
Suarez did not take long to register his second and the team’s thirdgoal. Not long after, Sebastian Eguren, who just entered the field to replace Gargano, scored another goal assisted by Suarez. Uruguay were leading 4-1. The 22,000 spectators began calling for Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI) chairman Nurdin Halid to resign.
In the 68th-minute, Markus fouled Cavani inside the Indonesian penalty box, resulting in a successful penalty for Suarez, who completed his hat trick.
Two minutes later, Cavani finished a perfect move with Suarez to raise the score to 6-1.
In the 83rd-minute, Cavani followed Suarez with his own hat trick, giving Uruguay its seventh goal.
Substitute Sebastian Fernandez would have made it eight, but he was ruled offside.
In April 1974, Indonesia, led by Sutan Harhara, beat Uruguay 2-1.
A rematch the next day was requested by the South American team, which at the time was preparing for the 1974 World Cup. The Uruguayans saved face by winning 3-2.
Around 1,000 police officers were stationed at the match, which was opened by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
