Singapore stuns Indonesia 3-1

Singapore stuns Indonesia 3-1

Moh. N. Kurniawan and Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

It was a night of missed opportunities and aching misfortune
for the national soccer team, with Singapore carving out a 3-1
upset in the first leg of the Tiger Cup soccer final on Saturday.

Singapore's Daniel Bennett, Chairul Amri and Agu Casmir
silenced the vociferous local fans as they found the net at Bung
Karno Stadium in Senayan, South Jakarta.

The only consolation for the out-of-sorts home team was
Mahyadi Panggabean's goal in the dying moments of injury time. It
was too little, too late, and Indonesia is left with a daunting
two-goal difference to overcome when it visits the island-state
for the second match on Jan. 16.

Indonesia coach Peter Withe had a change in strategy final,
putting striker Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto on the starting lineup
after his impressive performance as a substitute during
Indonesia's win over Malaysia in the semifinals.

But the measure backfired as the hosts were left with a
noticeably weakened defense, with Singapore scoring in the second
minute.

Following a swift counter attack, Daniel Bennett was served a
precise cross from the left flank before he sent a blistering
volley toward the net. The ball took a cruel deflection off
Firmansyah into goalkeeper Hendro Kartiko's net.

The home players tried to regroup, but were thwarted by the
disciplined and resolute defending of Singapore.

"It was not the problem of just one goal, but that our players
retreated too close to the penalty box, and allowed Singapore to
control the space," said Withe after the match.

Boas Salossa, at 18 already recognized as one of the country's
best players, came close to leveling the score but a simple tap
in, following a scrimmage inside the box, hit the post. Moments
later, Kurniawan broke clear but goalkeeper Lionel Lewis quickly
came out of his box to head off the danger.

The departure of the much feared Boas, injured in the 27th
minute, gave Singapore the opportunity to double its lead through
Chairul, who pounced on a loose ball in another foray into
Indonesian territory.

There was yet another blow for the home side when Mohammad
Mauly Lessy was sent off for cuffing Itimi Dickson.

Down to 10 men, chances of an Indonesian come-from-behind
victory similar to its nail-biting win over Malaysia in Kuala
Lumpur appeared remote when the visitors went ahead 3-0.

Unusually subdued local fans had started leaving the stadium
before the match had ended and Mahyadi salvaged some pride with a
free kick.

"It's an extraordinary result for us. Our players displayed a
very good game today," said Singapore coach Radojko Avramovic.