Late goals see Indonesia down dogged Cambodia 2-0

Late goals see Indonesia down dogged Cambodia 2-0

PHNOM PENH (AFP): Indonesia slipped two late goals through a
dogged Cambodian defense Sunday to beat the home team 2-0 in this
Asian Zone World Cup qualifier and keep itself on top of group
nine.

Indonesia has now won all three of its matches and the result
sets the scene for an intriguing showdown when it travels to
China on May 13, which also has a 100 percent record after edging
past the Maldives in Male on Saturday.

Heavy rain turned the pitch in Phnom Penh into a mud-bath as
Cambodia's defenders staved off several strong attempts at goal
in the first half, cheered on by a near 8,000-capacity crowd.

The first goal came in the 78th minute from the boot of
Indonesian forward Eko Purdjianto who chipped the ball over a
flailing defender into the net.

The second was a header by striker Bambang Pamungkas just
three minutes from time from a corner.

Despite his team's defeat, Cambodia's German coach Joachim
Fickert said he was happy with the result, after his team lost 6-
0 to Indonesia in its first game in Jakarta.

"The first goal was unlucky for us. I would say some players
still play with too much fear," he said of his young,
inexperienced team.

Indonesian coach Benny Dolo praised the Cambodian effort,
saying his team had been taken by surprise.

"We were surprised ... We didn't score as well as we did in
Jakarta. Cambodia played well," he said.

"I guess the rain did slow our team. It changed everything,
this is the point. The Cambodian team is becoming better with a
lot of young players."

Fickert said the result gave his team confidence for its next
match against China here on May 6. He said China's low scoring 1-
0 victory against the Maldives on Saturday had also heartened the
Cambodians.

"They will have more courage against China in the next match
and this match today also gives us confidence."

Indonesia's next match is also next Sunday against the
Maldives.