Coaches stunned by RI's 4-0 soccer win
Coaches stunned by RI's 4-0 soccer win
JAKARTA (JP): Coaches from Singapore, Myanmar and Thailand
were all surprised to see Indonesia crush Malaysia 4-0 in the
soccer SEA Games competition at Senayan Stadium Thursday.
"What! Indonesia beat Malaysia, it's unbelievable. Malaysia is
a strong team that could not be beaten easily by any team in
Southeast Asia," coach Barry Whitebread of the Singaporean team
said at the Lebak Bulus Stadium, South Jakarta Thursday, as
quoted by Suara Pembaruan.
Singapore defeated Cambodia 2-1, at Lebak Bulus Thursday.
Whitebread, however, admitted that such a victory could always
happen since Indonesia was the host.
Myanmar coach Myo Win Nyut also showed his surprise by saying
Indonesia's win over Malaysia could make way for other teams to
find a path to the gold.
"It is certainly a surprise for me that Indonesia could win
against Malaysia. Indonesia deserves to win over Malaysia," Nyut
said.
Nyut added that the victory could incite the Indonesian
players to play better in their other matches. "I believe that
Indonesia's victory was due to the support of its fans who at the
same time disturbed the Malaysian players."
Thailand coach Withaya Laohakul did not comment much on
Indonesia's win over Malaysia. He only said: "That's soccer.
Anything can happen."
"But the victory does not affect Thailand's concentration to
win the SEA Games soccer title."
Indonesia's victory came from two penalties by Fachri Hussaini
in the 20th and 53rd minutes, and two open-play goals by Widodo
Cahyono Putro (60) and Kurniawan (69).
Both Indonesia and Malaysia had to play with 10 men when
Chinese referee Yu Jingyim gave red cards to Bima Sakti of
Indonesia and Zami Mohammad Noor of Malaysia.
Bima Sakti was disappointed over the red card given to him but
his dismissal from the field did not weaken his teammates'
spirit.
"I am disappointed over my dismissal. But I am happy that my
teammates were not weakened by it but instead played well
throughout the match. This is my first red card in my soccer
career," he said.
Indonesia leads Group B with seven points. Malaysia is second
with six points and Laos third with 3 points.
Indonesia's last match before the semifinals is tomorrow when
it plays the Phillipines at Senayan Stadium at 6 p.m. Anteve will
broadcast the match live.
The semifinals will be on Oct. 16.
Tomorrow's matches also see Vietnam play Laos at Senayan (4
p.m.), and two matches at Lebak Bulus Stadium, South Jakarta
between Singapore and Brunei Darussalam (4 p.m.), and Thailand
and Cambodia (6:15 p.m.). (lnt)