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.