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)