RI beats RP in first step of Tiger Cup campaign

RI beats RP in first step of Tiger Cup campaign

HANOI (Agencies): Indonesia opened its bid for the Tiger Cup
title with a well-deserved 3-0 win over the Philippines
yesterday.

The Indonesians had gone two goals ahead in the first half,
thanks to a 14th minute own goal by the Philippine defender Judi
Saluria and a penalty by Bima Sakti three minutes before the half
time.

Midfielder Uston Nawawi completed the sweep in the 63rd
minute, giving coach Rusdy Bahalwan a psychological cushion ahead
of the next Group A match against Myanmar.

Later on the day, Myanmar shocked defending champion Thailand
with a 1-1 draw. Thailand took an early lead through Woramut
Srimaka when the match was just 10 minutes old. But a feisty
Myanmar pulled a level in the 63rd minute through Aung Khine.

There were no matches in Group B in Hanoi. The group includes
Malaysia, Singapore, host Vietnam and Laos.

Vietnam got off to a flying start in the opening day of the
Cup, beating Laos 4-1. Singapore eased past bitter rival and
neighbor Malaysia 2-0.

Eight countries grouped in the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) are participating in the biennial tournament
which will run until Sept. 5.

Indonesia was the dominant side throughout 90 minutes of play
at Ton Son Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City yesterday.

Antara reported yesterday from Hanoi that Rusdy brought in a
cautious lineup by placing five players on the defense. Bima led
the midfield trio also comprising Uston and Yusuf Ekodono.
Indonesia's striking force relied much on Widodo C. Putro and
Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto.

Indonesia opened the scoring when agile striker Widodo cleared
past the Philippine tight defense. He shot from a close range,
only to meet with Saluria foot. The ball deflected into the net
left vacant by goalkeeper Melo Sabacan.

Chances

Taking a 1-0 led, Indonesia piled on fresh attacks, but
careless finishing touches cost it several goal scoring
opportunities. Bima hit the goalpost and Kurniawan, who latched
on a pass from Anang, also struck the bar.

Singaporean referee Syamsul Maidin granted Indonesia a penalty
in the 42nd minute after a Philippine player committed a handball
in the box. Bima coolly executed the penalty to put his team 2-0
up.

Rusdy brought in Alex Pulalo and Nuralim in place of Aji
Santoso and Mursyid respectively in the second half.

The replacements paid off as the two substitutes put
persistent threats on the Philippine defense. They hit a number
of shots to the goal, although never really made Sabacan labor.

Five yellow cards were shown to both teams, three of them to
the Philippines' Raymond Tonog, Judi and Kalalang and two to
Indonesia's Kurniawan and Anang.

ANteve will broadcast the Indonesia-Myanmar game live
tomorrow, starting from 8.45 p.m. West Indonesia Time. Thailand
meets the Philippines in the early match tomorrow. (lnt)