Thais keep University Games trophy in style
Thais keep University Games trophy in style
ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya
The Indonesian contingent failed to cash in on their last
chance at a gold when its soccer team was beaten 3-0 by 10-man
Thailand in the final and the 12th ASEAN University Games came to
a close.
The loss on Sunday added to the host's rueful performance
since Dec. 5, which was resigned to finishing in second place in
the 10-nation tournament, featuring about 700 athletes, 100
officials and 10 sports.
Thailand retained its championship with 53 gold medals while
Indonesia settled with 30 golds, followed by Malaysia, the
Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore, their combined gold tally
equaling Indonesia's.
Brunei Darussalam was content with four bronzes, but Cambodia,
Laos and Timor Leste failed to win a medal.
"Thank you for coming to Indonesia ... and let me congratulate
you on retaining the Games championship," State Minister of Youth
and Sports Affairs Adhyaksa Dault said during the closing
ceremony at the Gelora Delta stadium in Sidoarjo, about 20
kilometers east of Surabaya.
The state minister's speech came minutes after the home soccer
team was humbled by Thailand, which was reduced to 10 players in
the last hour of the game.
An Indonesian victory would probably have soothed the host's
failed run for the championship title.
Thailand dominated the match with an aggressive strategy,
forcing Indonesia to consolidate in the defense area. Wirrasut
Panai put the Thais in front with a goal in the 17th minute, then
Wasan Sungkurn was ordered out for harsh foul.
Though down to 10 players, Thailand did not lose any momentum.
In the closing minutes of the first half, Anon Sangsosnoi doubled
their lead with a long-range shot, further derailing the
Indonesians' teamwork, their flank attacks falling in tatters.
Thailand put the outcome beyond any doubt with Wuttichai
Tattong's goal 10 minutes before the end of the match.
The home team was resigned about losing to a better opponent.
"What can I say? The Indonesian team trails Thailand in almost
every areas. Our players seemed to lose their motivation," coach
Sutrisno said.
The Thai side beamed with joy at their victory.
"This is the fruit of our team's hard work. We have been
training hard for three months," Akom Smuthkochorn, head of the
Thai contingent, told The Jakarta Post.
Thailand's unquestionable ascent at the Games was helped
significantly by its domination in track and field and swimming,
the two sports offering 64 of the 113 gold medals on offer.
Thailand won 19 track-and-field golds, compared to Indonesia's
7, while their swimmers sliced through the water to take home 17
golds against Indonesia's 4.
Akom looked forward to the 2007 Universiade in Bangkok:
"Hopefully, we can follow up on what we have accomplished today."
The week-long tournament in Surabaya proved to be of little
interest among the local people, with only a small crowd of
spectators coming to cheer. The poor support was blamed on a
lackluster promotion, evident in that Games banners and posters
were only to be found at event venues -- and in the less than
1,000 people who came to watch the closing soccer match at the
15,000-capacity stadium.
Final medal tally
G S B Tot
Thailand 53 46 26 124
Indonesia 30 34 49 112
Malaysia 10 18 22 50
Philippines 10 9 11 30
Vietnam 9 4 7 20
Singapore 1 2 10 13
Brunei 0 0 4 4
Cambodia 0 0 0 0
Laos 0 0 0 0
Timor Leste 0 0 0 0