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Indonesia moves closer to maiden title after first-leg win
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Indonesia’s Hansamu Yama (second right) celebrates his winning goal with teammates during their first-leg AFF Cup 2016 final against Thailand at Pakansari Stadium in Bogor, West Java, on Wednesday. Indonesia won 2-1. (JP/Seto Wardhana)
I
ndonesia is one step closer to winning its first AFF Suzuki Cup trophy after upsetting defending champion Thailand in the first leg of the finals on Wednesday.
The 2-1 victory in front of Team Garuda’s roaring supporters at the packed Pakansari Stadium in Cibinong, Bogor, West Java, gives the side a solid head start before it faces Thailand at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on Saturday.
A draw in the second leg of the finals will be enough for Indonesia to steal the trophy from the four-time winner. However, Thailand is likely to put up a serious fight on its home turf as it can still win on aggregate.
In Wednesday’s highly anticipated bout, Indonesia gave a familiar late-rising performance, with Alfred Riedl’s side failing to create opportunities and transform them into goals in the first half. Instead, several players fumbled, losing chances while controlling the ball.
In the second half, Indonesia turned the situation around, dominating the match and netting two goals: one from winger Rizky Pora in the 65th minute and one from midfielder Hansamu Yama in the 70th minute.
Cheered on by die-hard supporters who had packed the 30,000-seat stadium, the home side’s Austrian coach put his best men on the starting list, with the apparent hope of taking the lead in the first half.
With rising star Stefano Lilipaly and captain Boaz Solossa at the front, the host team was backed by quartet Bayu Pradana, Manahati Lestusen, Fachruddin Wahyudi and Hansamu Yama in defense, Andik Vermansyah and Benny Wahyudi on the right wing as well as Rizky Pora and Abduh Lestahulu on the left and resilient goalie Kurnia Meiga guarding the net.
Indonesia began its offensive by putting pressure on the Thais as soon as the kick-off whistle was blown.
Selangor FA midfielder Andik made quick maneuvers, penetrating the visitors’ defense in no time, but was immediately held back by Thailand’s Theerathon Bunmathan.
Indonesia suffered from a lack of coordination, mostly in the first half, with several players making non-fatal blunders and failing to create opportunities to score.
Ricky, for example, was reckless in passing, and the ball was quickly taken by Sarawut Masuk in the 9th minute. Luckily for the underdog team, Masuk’s shot went wide of Kurnia’s net.
A minute later, Andik worked his footwork in the penalty box, but his cross pass failed to deliver the goods.
The War Elephants, who dominated possession, managed to locate loopholes in the nervous host’s defenses — striking at Indonesia with dangerous moves.
In the 32nd minute, Thailand’s Teerasil Dangda, the top scorer in the tournament, found a way to penetrate Kurnia’s net through a header, thanks to Theerathon Bunmathan’s assist.
Under pressure, Indonesia seemed to lose its focus as it looked uncomfortable in controlling the ball, while leading Thailand was calm but alert.
Entering the second half, Indonesia was still unable to polish its set-piece plays and, with an absence of teamwork, failed to make good on opportunities to score.
In the 65th minute, however, Rizky had his moment, with his long shot bouncing off Thailand’s Tristan Do into Kawin Thamsatchanan’s net — a timely equalizer for the home team.
The roaring crowd, chanting for the Indonesian team, seemed to spook the visitors.
It was the same combination off a corner to the back post where Hansamu rose above everyone else to head a looping header past a bewildered Thamsatchanan in the 70th minute that secured the home team’s victory.
