RI struggles to beat Cambodia in Tiger Cup
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesia had to come from behind twice before scoring its first win in the Group A matches of the Tiger Cup, beating 10-man Cambodia 4-2 at the Bung Karno stadium here on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, Myanmar, which held Indonesia to a 0-0 draw in the opening match, strolled it over the lowly Philippines with the score of 6-1.
Despite the win, the Indonesian team's play was far from satisfactory, with the players slipping to a rueful soccer performance against Cambodia, which suffered a 2-9 drubbing by Vietnam in its first match on Sunday.
The home crowd's hope for a fiesta of goals, as Vietnam had provided, did not materialize. Instead, they watched a lethargic performance from their team.
To their upset, Indonesia trailed 1-2 after the first half, which resulted in a hurling of missiles from the stand, with a score of spectators booing and jeering.
A deriding fan climbed up onto the fence and shouted rude words before two police officers dragged him from the scene. A number of officials of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) at the VIP enclosure also endured oral torment.
It was Cambodian skipper Hok Sochetra who upset the home team early with two goals in the first half. On both occasions, Sugiantoro was the architect of the goals scored against them.
Sugiantoro's ball clearance when the game entered its five- minute spell fell at Sochetra who then drilled the ball past goalkeeper Hendro Kartiko.
After Indonesia drew level through Zaenal Arif, Sochetra retrieved Cambodia's lead after winning a one-to-one battle with Sugiantoro.
"The team does not have characters, no fighting spirit, nor mentality," Ronny Pattinasarani, a former Indonesian star, criticized the Ivan Kolev-coached team.
"This is the worst team Indonesia has ever had," he added.
Fortunately, as the boos continued every time Indonesia players were in ball possession, Bambang Pamungkas raised his game and his hat trick helped Indonesia from the blushes.
The 22-year-old forward sent a blistering shot from outside the penalty box to even the score at 2-2.
His second goal came when he was well-served from a corner kick before poking the ball home with his left foot. He built Indonesia's lead from the penalty box at the 72nd minute of the game, following Soeur Chanveasna's foul on Gendut Donny Christiawan.
Chanveasna was awarded a red card but Indonesia failed to capitalize on the moment as Donny later missed some of the few clear chances.
After playing two games, Indonesia is in second place in Group A, on four points. Myanmar tops the group, collecting the same number of points as Indonesia but winning on goal margin.
Vietnam, which has one game in hand, follows behind, with three points.
Aung Kyaw Moe and Zaw Htaik scored two goals each while Soe Lin Tun and Zaw Zaw had their own apiece in Myanmar's big win over the Philippines.
The Philippines took their consolation goal through Alfredo Gonzalez.
Group B matches, which pit defending champion Thailand, Malaysia, Laos and host Singapore, kick off on Wednesday while Group A has a day off before resuming on Thursday.