Malaysia stuns RI 2-1

Malaysia stuns RI 2-1

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Indonesia was dealt a shock 2-1 defeat to Malaysia in the
first semifinal match in the Tiger Cup soccer competition at the
Bung Karno Stadium here on Tuesday.

After the two teams observed a minute's silence for the
victims of the Asian tsunami, Kurniawan Dwi Julianto scored for
Indonesia in only the sixth minute.

However, Liew Kit Kong struck back, equalizing in the first 30
minutes and putting Malaysian ahead early in the second half.

The result went against predictions after Indonesia, coached
by Englishman Peter Wither, put in a high-flying performance
during the group stage matches in Vietnam two weeks ago, scoring
17 goals and conceding none to top Group A.

It will be a daunting task for Indonesia in the second round
which is scheduled for Jan. 1 in Kuala Lumpur.

Playing in front of a packed stadium, the hosts launched an
early attack and were rewarded three corners inside the opening
three minutes.

Kurniawan put the hosts in front with his deep header from a
close-range, thanks to speedy Elie Aiboy kick from the right
flank. The goal came just a few seconds after Kurniawan failed to
cash in from well-measured cross by Syamsul Bahri.

Syamsul had his own chance but after evading lunges from two
Malaysian defenders he kicked the ball centimeters wide.

As Indonesia relentlessly piled on the pressure, Malaysia
seemed content with rare counter attacks. However, despite the
push, Elie and Kurniawan fell short of adding another point to
Indonesia's total.

Kurniawan's best chance came when he was loosely marked just
outside the penalty box to take a pass from the midfield, but his
volley hit the bar.

While the hosts began to get frustrated, the Malaysian players
managed to capitalize on their rare chances.

Liew Kit Kong beat Ismed Sofyan to send a header past
goalkeeper Hendro Kartiko. It was the first time Hendro conceded
a goal in the competition.

Syamsul then squandered another good chance in the remaining
minutes of the first half.

The home side was stunned early when Liew brought the
Malaysian team to a 2-1 lead with his chip over Hendro with Ismed
Sofyan again bungling the defense.

Instead of clearing the ball, Ismed signaled for Hendro to
pick it up as Liew intercepted and fired it past the keeper.

The goal gave the visitors confidence and Malaysia become
visibly more organized both in attack and defense. The home side
was rattled and resorted to rough tactics -- resulting in a
string of fouls.

Ortisan Salossa should probably have been shown a yellow card
for his tackle from behind on Fadzli but referee Irmatov Ravshan
waved for play to continue.

The home side's supporters also turned impatient with missiles
being hurled onto the pitch.

Indonesia still emerged the better side, and created some good
late goal chances with Saktian Sinaga, who came off the bench to
replace of Elie.

Kurniawan, meanwhile, had a strong header cleared, while
goalkeeper Syamsuri Mustafa lay prone. Firman, meanwhile, fumbled
his kick from close range.

"We created enough chances. We should have scored two or three
goals. Of course we are disappointed. We tried our best, though
it did not seem to be our day," Withe said after the match.

Meanwhile, his counterpart, Bertalan Becskei, was beaming with
relief.

"The Indonesian team is faster than us. In the first 20
minutes Indonesia made dangerous attacks. Luckily, we could steal
a goal," Becskei said.

The other semifinal match will pit Singapore against Myanmar
on Wednesday.