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