RI beats Bhutan 2-0 in Asia qualification

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia only managed to clinch a 2-0 win over struggling Bhutan in the opening Group C match qualifier for the Asian Cup at the Abdullah Al-Faisal stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, early on Tuesday, Antara reported.

Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto put Indonesia in front with his goal in the 26th minute before Zainal Arif got the second in the 48th minute.

The goal leaves Indonesia in second place behind Saudi Arabia.

Three-time Asian Cup champion and five-times finalist, Saudi Arabia, tops the standings after destroying Yemen 7-0 in their opening match.

Indonesian manager Andi Darussalam Tabussala said the result was below par as Indonesia was rated much higher than Bhutan. The team had hoped to score as many goals as possible because goal difference could count in determining who qualifies.

He rued a rash of missed goal opportunities due to poor finishing.

"Speaking about quality, Bhutan is below Indonesia. We controlled the match, but we failed to harvest the goals," Andi said as quoted by Antara.

In its last 13 international matches, Bhutan has conceded 65 goals -- 20 of these during its recent match against Kuwait.

Looking forward to the next matches, Andi said that the most crucial would be with Yemen, which is considered to have an equal chance with Indonesia of taking second place behind favorite Saudi Arabia.

Yemeni coach Ahmed Kassem admitted that Saudi Arabia was most likely to take first place in the group, leaving Indonesia and Yemen to fight it out for the second ticket to the finals of the Asian Cup in China next year.

"The first ticket is certainly in Saudi Arabia's hands but we will try our best to take second position," said Kassem as quoted on the official website of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Indonesia is scheduled to face Yemen on Wednesday.