RI U-20s hold India to draw

RI U-20s hold India to draw

Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta

The Indonesian Under-20 team held the Indian national team to
a 1-1 draw in a friendly match at the Bung Karno Stadium here on
Tuesday afternoon.

Defender Ahmad Zaelani forced India's goalkeeper Prasanta Dora
to collect the ball from his net, putting the hosts in front
after 27 minutes.

The young Indonesian team, which is preparing for the next
Asian Championships next September, looked headed for a surprise
victory when Renedy Singh scored an equalizer during injury time.

Playing in an unusual 3-5-2 format, the Indonesian players
suffered a blistering attack from India, spearheaded by strikers
R.C. Prakash and Bejen Singh.

But the home team managed to hang on, thanks to goalkeeper
Roni Tri Prasnanto's excellent performance in pulling off a
string of saves.

In a counterattack, Indonesia sprang surprises, thanks to
Zaelani's goal.

Trailing by a goal, Indian team captain Bhaichung Bhutia came
off the bench in the 66th minute and appeared to be successful in
encouraging his teammates to play more aggressively.

One minute before the end of the game, Renedy Singh saved the
visitors with his goal.

Referee H.M. Olehadi handed out two yellow cards, one each for
Indonesia's Khomad Suharto and India's Deepak Mandal.

Indian coach Stephen Constantine criticized the refereeing.

"There were so many bad decision in the game," he said.

However, Constantine praised the Indonesian players for their
fast, tireless play.

Indonesian coach Peter Withe said that he was satisfied with
the players' performance.

"Overall, they played very well and I'm quite pleased with the
result. I'm not complaining because they gave 100 percent," Withe
said.

The Indian team is scheduled to play the national team on
Thursday. Indonesia and India are preparing for their respective
World Cup qualifying matches on June 9.