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Late goals see Indonesia down dogged Cambodia 2-0

| Source: AFP

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.

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