Argentina runs over Indonesia at world futsal meet
Argentina runs over Indonesia at world futsal meet
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Favorite Argentina gave a futsal lesson to Indonesia with a 20-1
thrashing on the second day of the world futsal tournament in
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Wednesday.
It was Indonesia's second defeat after it was crushed 1-9 by
Japan, the 2002 Asian Championship runner-up, in Group B matches
on Tuesday.
"We have learned much from this tournament. Argentina and
Japan's futsal teams are too strong for Indonesia," Indonesian
head coach Aurias Rahanthoknam said in a press release here.
"They have taken part in international tournaments many times,
including the World Futsal Cup, while we have come intent on
gaining tournament experience.
"Our team is made up mostly of the players recruited from the
students' league. Only two former national (soccer) players --
Listiyanto Raharjo and Vennard Hutabarat -- feature in the team,"
he said.
At the Putera Indoor Stadium in Bukit Jalil, on Wednesday,
Indonesia fielded Ahmad Ramdhani, Andrian Asuri, Andri Irawan,
Viernes Polnaya and Listiyanto as captain and goalkeeper.
The team trailed 1-8 in the first half with Andri scoring the
only goal for Indonesia. The second half saw Argentina plundering
Indonesia with 12 goals.
The Argentine team's line-up comprised Leandro Planas, Diego
Giustozzi, Esteban Gonzalez, Hernan Garcias and goalkeeper Javier
Guisande.
Ahmad Ramdhani was Indonesia's scorer in the team's 1-9 defeat
by Japan on Tuesday.
Earlier, in the Group D matches, four-time Asian champion Iran
upset England with a 14-1 win. It was the second win by Iran,
which defeated Uzbekistan 7-1 on Tuesday.
The matches between Uruguay and Guatemala in Group C and
Thailand against Brazil in Group A were still underway until late
at night.
Brazil, which along with Argentina is renowned for its
domination in world soccer, registered a record goal at the
tournament when it scored 30 goals to none over South Africa on
Tuesday.
The US$150,000 tournament, which features 12 countries split
in four groups, will run until Sunday.
Group A: Brazil, South Africa, Thailand, Group B: Argentina,
Japan, Indonesia, Group C: Malaysia, Uruguay, Guatemala, Group D:
Iran, England, Uzbekistan.
The tournament proves to be the only internationally
sanctioned event in the world's soccer governing body FIFA in
Asia.