Indonesian own goal hands Thailand victory

Indonesian own goal hands Thailand victory

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (AP): Yusuf Ekodono scored an
intentional own goal with less than a minute left as Thailand
unwillingly beat Indonesia 3-2 Monday in a farcical Tiger Cup
soccer match that neither team wanted to win.

Vietnam Television reported that the match inspector said he
would recommend to the ASEAN Football Federation that the result
be scrapped.

Only a lopsided Indonesia victory would keep both teams from
advancing to the semifinals from Group A. But whoever won the
group faced the undesirable prospect of flying to Hanoi to play
host Vietnam before a rabid crowd on Wednesday, National Day.

The result was such a poor display that the half-capacity
crowd which had cheered so strongly during Myanmar's spirited 5-2
win over the Philippines in the opener had virtually vanished 15
minutes into the match.

The ESPN International commentator openly derided the match,
which was shown live regionally and certainly will be a black eye
for Asian soccer.

Several stars sat out for each team. Neither side made a
serious move on goal in a first half where there was not a single
whistle, and hardly a smear on a single uniform, despite a
deteriorating, muddy pitch.

It appeared that tournament officials must have talked with
both teams at the break, because Indonesia came out with more
spirit. It also knew that a tie was the same as a victory because
it already was atop the standings. Only a loss would move
Thailand into first.

Mirobaldo Bento found virtually no resistance on a crossing
pass in the 52nd minute to put Indonesia up 1-0. Thailand finally
came to life, but as soon as Krisasha Piandet equalized in the
65th minute, the Thais died again.

Aji Santoso put Indonesia back ahead 2-1 in the 85th minute,
and Thailand went on the move again, with Thersak Chaiman tying
the score at 2-2 in the 89th minute.

Then, with time running down, Indonesia moved the ball down
deep into its own territory. Two quick passes, and Yusuf scored
as goalkeeper Hendro Kartiko, who earlier had made several
offensive forays to leave the goal open, stepped out of the way.

Thailand didn't have enough time to even think of employing
the same tactic at its own end.