Indonesia's prospect of advancing to semis slight

Agencies, Jakarta

Indonesia's prospects of advancing to the semifinals of the Tiger Cup are at stake following its disappointing performance in its Group A match against Vietnam on Saturday.

Playing before its own fans, Indonesia had to be content with a 2-2 draw in the biennial Southeast Asian soccer tournament, Antara reported.

The result puts Vietnam at the top of the Group with seven points after three matches. In second place is Myanmar, which also has seven points after three matches, but has fewer goals than Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Indonesia lies in third place with five points, also after three matches.

In its attempt to advance to the semifinals, Indonesia must at least slot eight goals in the net of its last opponent, the little fancied Philippines, on Monday.

Playing with only 10 men for the last 15 minutes, Indonesia managed to equalize in the 82nd minute through a goal from substitute striker Zaenal Arif after being left behind 1-2.

Indonesia scored the first goal through striker Budi Santoso in the 12th minute following a scrimmage at the penalty box.

But, entering the second half, the visitors increased the pressure.

The visitors' incessant pressure bore fruit with an equalizer from striker Phan Van Taiem, who shot a strong ball into the righthand corner of goalkeeper Hendro Kartiko's net.

Vietnam then took the lead four minutes later with a goal from Lee Huynh Duc, making it his fifth goal, temporarily the highest in the tournament.

Earlier in the day, an injury time error by the Philippines goalkeeper gave Cambodia a 1-0 victory in Tiger Cup Group A play, AFP reported.

With the score 0-0 as the final whistle neared, Philippines keeper Edmundo Mercado Jr made a weak clearance while under pressure from Hok Sochivorn. The ball fell right at the feet of Ung Khanyanith, who fired it into the unguarded net, giving Cambodia a victory over their last-place rivals at Bung Karno Stadium.

Neither side had a point coming into the match.

Fine play by keeper Ouk Mio, and the goalposts, helped save the Cambodians from conceding two goals. Mio blocked Philippines striker Alfredo Gonzalez from 25 yards out in the 60th minute, tipping the ball onto the crossbar.

Ali Go's shot from the edge of the box came back off the right post in the 75th minute.

The victory was a going-away present for Cambodian coach Joachim Fickert, who led his side for the last time. Fickert's team had earlier lost three straight games.

"It was a good result for us. We played well and had a few good chances against the Philippines," said Fickert, stepping down after seven years as Cambodian coach.

"My team tried to play football today and for me, I'm satisfied," he said.

Philippines coach Sugao Kambe took responsibility for the loss but said his team must work harder.

"I told the players that it would not be easy to win here. We need a 200 percent effort. That was why we couldn't score and couldn't win," he said.