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Indonesia has no choice but to score first against Malaysia
Peeping Toms: Enthusiastic soccer fans watch the practice session of the Indonesian national soccer team at the Senayan soccer field in Jakarta on Tuesday
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span class="inline inline-center">Peeping Toms: Enthusiastic soccer fans watch the practice session of the Indonesian national soccer team at the Senayan soccer field in Jakarta on Tuesday. Indonesia will take on Malaysia on Wednesday in the AFF Suzuki Cup final. JP/J. Adiguna
Trailing Malaysia 3-0 after the first leg of the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup final, Indonesia has no option but to score first in Wednesday’s second leg that will see the absence of two key players.
“We won’t waste a moment. We will do our best to break Malaysia’s defense by scoring first,” team manager Andi Darusallam Tabusalla said at a press conference Tuesday.
Indonesian midfielder Oktovianus Maniani will miss Wednesday’s clash due to too many yellow cards, and striker Yongki Aribowo is out injured.
Indonesian head coach Alfred Riedl said goalkeeper Markus Haris Maulana would start the match despite earlier doubts that Markus would stay on the bench due to an injury.
“There’s no problem with Markus. You [saw him at our] training session today. He will play,” he was quoted as saying Tuesday by news portal kompas.com.
Malaysian defender Mahali Jasuli and midfielder Mohd. Amirulhadi will also miss the match because of their yellow cards. Malaysia, making its second appearance in the final, is hopeful of lifting the trophy for the first time.
“The 3-0 victory is an asset for the next match. Indonesia is a good team. We come with optimism that we can do our best,” Malaysian coach Rajagobal Krishnasamy said. “With a bit of luck, the match will be entertaining to all, with no disturbances. I hope all teams accept whatever the outcome of the match.
“Indonesia may play fast and offensive, but we also have fast players [to counterattack]. We’ll see which strategy works,” he added.
President Susilo Bambang Yu-dhoyono and First Lady Kristiani Herawati are scheduled to attend the match, Antara news agency reported.
The President will be accompanied by members of the Cabinet and officials from the Asian Football Confederation.
The Jakarta Police will deploy 6,000 officers to provide security at Wednesday’s match. The match will be aired live by RCTI at 7 p.m.
Andi Darusallam called on Indonesian fans to support the national team without resorting to violence. “Soccer is a sport that endorses fair play. Let’s show the world that Indonesia is a good host,” he said.
Youth and Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng also called on fans to throw their weight behind the Indonesian squad. “We have to accept the result. In sports, you win some and you lose some,” he was quoted as saying by Antara.
Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek echoed Andi’s sentiment. “The match should be seen from a sports perspective.
Everyone should respect fair play,” he said.
Malaysia, who previously appeared in the final in 1996, is looking to lift the trophy for the first time while Indonesia is in its fourth final and aiming to put an end to its poor performance in regional competitions.
