Indonesia edges Vietnam in thrilling Tiger Cup match
Indonesia edges Vietnam in thrilling Tiger Cup match
BANGKOK (AFP): Indonesian striker Gendut Christiawan booted in Indonesia's golden goal in the final minute of extra-time for a stunning 3-2 victory over Vietnam in the semifinals of the Tiger Cup at the Rajamangala Stadium Thursday.
Christiawan was the toast of his country after he scored Indonesia's first goal in the 39th minute and the winning goal in the 120th minute.
Indonesia will face host Thailand in the final here on Saturday. Thailand proved its dominance by crushing Malaysia 2-0. Kiatisuk 'Zico' Senamuang and Tawan Sripan contributed a goal each in the 30th and 34th minutes.
Vietnam had the majority of possession but that counted for little as last year's losing finalist to Singapore was sent reeling from the tournament in front of over 2,000 flag-waving fans.
Vietnam dominated early on and took the game to the Indonesians with some superb build-ups. Star striker Le Huynh Duc was the main focus of the attacks.
Le gave the Indonesian defense hell with his deceptive moves and very nearly gave Vietnam the lead in the 9th minute. But his shot was blocked by well-positioned Indonesian goalkeeper Komang Adnyana.
Indonesia looked dangerous during its quick counterattacks but did not trouble Vietnam's goalkeeper Tran Minh Quang as his defenders skillfully cut off crosses from both flanks.
Vietnam continued to press the Indonesians and Nguyen Van Sy saw two of his free kicks saved by the Indonesian goalkeeper in the 15th and 19th minutes.
Then it was Nguyen Hong Son's turn to take potshots at the Indonesian goal, but both his attempts in the 27th and 29th minutes went wide.
Vietnam, boosted by the loud roar of its fans, kept attacking in search of the elusive goal when suddenly Indonesia, in a fast counter-attack, took the lead in the 39th minute.
Uston Nawawi collected a pass from midfield and raced down the right flank. He then flicked over a superb cross which Christiawan jumped up high to nod the ball neatly into the far left, giving the Vietnamese goalkeeper no chance at all.
The Vietnamese crowd fell silent but were soon on their feet again cheering after Vietnam scored the equalizer in the 45th minute through Nguyen Hong Son.
Indonesia silenced the Vietnamese fans for the second time in the match when Seto Nurdiantoro volleyed in a rebound off the bar for Indonesia's second goal in the 76th minute.
In another match, Thailand, which was definitely the superior side, could have won by a bigger margin but missed some easy goals as Malaysia put up a gallant fight in the second half.
Thailand, urged on by more than 20,000 screaming fans, went into the offensive with some terrific moves on both flanks that had the Malaysian defense backpedaling in desperation to keep the Thai strikers at bay.
Kiatisuk Senamuang, also known as "Zico", caused all sorts of problems for the Malaysian defense, teasing them and wrong- footing them at every turn.