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RI's hunt for elusive gold intact after ousting Malaysia
Hurdle passed: Indonesian hurdler Dedeh Erawati celebrates after winning the womenâs 100-meter final at Wunna Theikdi Stadium in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on Thursday
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Hurdle passed: Indonesian hurdler Dedeh Erawati celebrates after winning the womenâs 100-meter final at Wunna Theikdi Stadium in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on Thursday. (JP/P.J. Leo) (JP/P.J. Leo)
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span class="inline inline-none">Hurdle passed: Indonesian hurdler Dedeh Erawati celebrates after winning the women's 100-meter final at Wunna Theikdi Stadium in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on Thursday. (JP/P.J. Leo)
Indonesia is one step closer to ending its long wait for SEA Games soccer gold amid the bleak prospects of the Red-and-White contingent defending the championship title it won two years ago at home.
The young Garuda team marched to the finals after beating regional nemesis Malaysia 4-3 in a penalty shootout in an energy-sapping semifinal match in Naypyitaw on Thursday.
'I told the players that they must be ready to play up to 120 minutes. They proved they could. They demonstrated their fighting spirit,' coach Rahmad Darmawan said.
The match extended to extra time after both teams played a 1-1 draw during the regular 2x45-minute play. Bayu Gatra put Indonesia in front in the 30th minute, before Malaysia equalized through Thamil Arasu Ambumaee in the 84th minute.
Indonesia last won soccer gold in 1991 in Manila. The long wait could have come to an end two years ago, but Indonesia lost to Malaysia in the finals, also in a penalty shootout.
Indonesia will face Thailand, which defeated Singapore 1-0 in the other semifinal match, in the finals on Saturday.
Soccer gold would come as a consolation for Indonesia, which is aiming to match Thailand in the medal race at the ongoing biennial sporting showcase that will end its two-week competition on Dec. 22.
Thailand maintained its domination in the 27th edition of the Games with 82 gold, 80 silver and 66 bronze.
Vietnam is in second position, trailing with 64 gold, 60 silver and 70 bronze, followed by host Myanmar (60, 52, 57) and Indonesia (54, 62, 85).
On Thursday, Indonesia collected four gold medals, two from athletics and one each from cycling and traditional boating.
Runner Triyaningsih made up for her previous loss to Myanmar's Phyu War Thet by winning the 10,000-meter race before Dedeh Erawati earned the team's second gold of the day with her victory in the women's 100-meter hurdles.
In the men's 10,000-meter event, Agus Prayogo was only able to finish in third behind Vietnam's Van Lai Nguyen and Boonthung Srisung of Thailand.
Ridwan also collected bronze in the men's 1,500-meter. The extra two gold brought the team's overall collection to five.
Cyclist Elga Kharisma Novanda seized the gold in the women's BMX cross after scoring the fastest time in three laps. Indonesia also won gold in the men's 20 crew 500-meter traditional boat race.
