Below par RI continues its winning run

By Budiman Moerdijat

JAKARTA (JP): Although Indonesia's soccer team won by two goals to nil in yesterday's match against the Philippines at the Senayan stadium, the performance was nothing like as good as Thursday's 4-0 crushing of Malaysia.

"It's difficult for the players because they have played four matches in a week," Indonesian coach Henk Wullems said at the post-match press conference.

The Philippines surprisingly started much the stronger. For the first five minutes, the 100,000 crowd were stunned into silence by the Philippines' audacity in coming forward.

Despite their aggressive intentions the visitors did not trouble Kurnia Sandy's goal.

Indonesia eventually woke up after 10 minutes and started to attack. In the 13th minute Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto was fouled by Philippines defenders Gil K. Talavera and Judy D. Saluria in the penalty area.

Myanmar referee U. Thein M. Thein had no hesitation in giving Indonesia the penalty.

But captain Fachry Husaini, who had scored twice from the spot in the previous match, saw his shot saved brilliantly by Jose Carpio.

A minute later, Kurniawan's long-distance drive also failed to find the net. His kick went wide and to the right.

Indonesia finally broke the deadlock in the 19th minute when defender Nuralim headed on a cross from Anang Makruf into the box and Uston Nawawi volleyed it into the net.

Uston was only playing yesterday because Bima Sakti had been given a red card in the match against Malaysia and was suspended.

The host will lose its cold-blooded defender Chairil Anwar in its semifinal as he was given his second yellow card of the tournament in yesterday's match for a scything tackle on Rodolfo Del Rosario in the 33rd minute.

In the 36th minute, left wingback Aji Santoso was substituted because he picked up an ankle injury. He was replaced by Herman Zantiago Pulalo.

Despite further clearcut opportunities Indonesia went into the half-time interval without adding to its tally.

From the start of the second half it was clear Indonesia wanted to step up the pace of the game.

In the 60th minute midfielder Widodo Cahyono Putro almost added a second goal, but the ball was blocked by a Philippines defender meters from the line with Carpio well beaten.

Widodo, who had been playing well below form, was replaced by Ronny Wabia in the 73rd minute.

The decision to play Ronny proved to be a stroke of genius by Wullems. Three minutes after he came on, Ronny squared the ball from the left to the penalty spot where Kurniawan, running in from outside the area, blasted the ball home with his right foot.

This was Kurniawan's fourth goal of the tournament and capped a fine all-round performance. If there had been a man-of-the- match award, he certainly would have got it.

The crowd went crazy at the second goal and started to sing the famous "Ole-Ole" chant. Hundreds of spectators carrying the Persebaya banners started to beat the drums they had brought into the stadium.

Some fans in the upper tribune were so excited they started burning paper and lighting firecrackers. Match officials, having failed to calm the supporters, stopped the game for a few minutes until order was restored.

This break seemed to cause the players from both teams to lose their concentration and the game fizzled out into a boring passing exhibition.

The victory strengthened Indonesia's position at the top of group B. It has 10 points after its four round robin matches and is guaranteed top spot and a game against the second placed team from group A.

In the first Group B yesterday, Vietnam defeated lowly Laos 2- 1. Ananh Thepsouvanh gave the Laotians a surprise 3rd minute lead but they lost it two minutes later when Vu Minh Hueu equalized. The nippy striker scored his second and Vietnam's winner in the 75th minute.

Results

Group A: Singapore 1 Brunei Darussalam 0 (ht. 0-0) Thailand 4 Cambodia 0 (ht. 3-0)

Standings:

P W D L Gf Ga Pts Thailand 3 3 0 0 12 1 9 Singapore 3 2 1 0 5 3 7 Myanmar 3 1 1 1 9 5 4 Cambodia 3 1 1 1 5 6 3 Brunei 4 0 0 4 1 17 0

Group B: Vietnam 2 Laos 1 (ht. 1-1) Indonesia 2 Philippines 0 (ht. 1-0)

Standings: Indonesia 4 3 1 0 13 4 10 Malaysia 3 2 0 1 5 4 8 Vietnam 3 1 1 1 4 4 4 Laos 3 1 0 2 7 8 3 Philippines 3 0 0 3 1 10 0