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Jakarta Post

Indonesia loses to Bahrain in chaotic match

Indonesia succumbed 2-0 to Bahrain in their 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifier match on Tuesday at the Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, in a game that was stopped midway through the second half because fans were setting off fireworks in the stands

Agnes Winarti (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Wed, September 7, 2011 Published on Sep. 7, 2011 Published on 2011-09-07T07:00:00+07:00

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I

ndonesia succumbed 2-0 to Bahrain in their 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifier match on Tuesday at the Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, in a game that was stopped midway through the second half because fans were setting off fireworks in the stands.

The soccer match was stopped at the 76th minute with Indonesia down 2-0, prompting Bahrain to retire to their locker room, as the Indonesian players remained on the pitch while their captain Bambang Pamungkas was seen engaged in an animated discussion with the match commissioner.

A day before the crucial group E match, the media reported that 2,600 security officers would be dispatched to safeguard the match, which was attended by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Spectators in stadium sections 17, 18 and 19 were seen setting off fireworks during the match, while fans in section 21 were seen throwing bottles of water.

PSSI secretary-general Tri Goestoro asked the errant supporters to desist. The plea was then repeated by PSSI chairman Djohar Arifin, who walked around the stadium with a loudspeaker.

After a 15-minute break, the match commissioner declared that play would be resumed, but for Indonesia, the damage was done.

From the first whistle of the match, the home team found itself under pressure from a well organized Bahrain team.

However, the first chance of the match fell to Indonesian striker Boaz Salossa, who missed his chance to convert a corner kick.

Indonesia’s offense was to be short lived, as Bahrain assumed command, rarely giving up possession of the ball.

Bahrain’s strike force of Ismaeel Abdullatif Ismaeel Hasan and Faouzi Mubarak Aaish appeared determined to match their performance in Bahrain’s drubbing of Indonesia in their 2010 World Cup qualifier match meeting.

At the 20-minute mark, Indonesia were granted an opportunity when Bahrain’s Husain Mohamed Hasan bought himself a yellow card by brining down Bambang Pamungkas on the edge of Indonesia’s 20-yard box, but Indonesia’s Firman Utina failed to make the most of the free-kick.

Bahrain defender Sayed Dhiya Saeed Shubbar scored an unlikely goal in first-half injury time, handing his team a crucial confidence boost to take to the locker room.

In the second half, Bahrain continued to attack, silencing Indonesia’s effort at a comeback.

Indonesian captain Bambang Pamungkas had a chance to find the back of the Bahrain goal, but could not convert.

With Indonesia on the back foot, Bahrain’s Ismaeel Latif scored the second goal in the 71st minute, just before play was interrupted.

The defeat leaves Indonesia at the bottom of group E, and needing to finish in first for second place to progress to the fourth round of the World Cup 2014 qualification.

The AFC qualification process continues until Sep. 10, 2013.

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