World Cup adieu for RI after 0-2 defeat
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian soccer team had to say goodbye to its hopes of reaching the forthcoming World Cup final qualifying round and will have to wait for another four years for the next opportunity after losing 2-0 to China in the Group Nine Asia Zone qualifier at Bung Karno Stadium on Sunday.
Young Chinese striker Xie Hui profited from the scrimmage at the goalmouth and headed home a loose ball to open the team's victory in the final minute of an uneventful first half.
It was followed by scores of mineral water bottles thrown by some 80,000 home unruly supporters.
Indonesia's coach Benny Dolo replaced striker Gendut Doni Christiawan with Bambang Pamungkas after half-time but Bambang missed four chances to score.
Defender Wu Chengying of China scored the second goal in the 70th minute with a volley from 30 meters that caught goalkeeper Hendro Kartiko by surprise after an awkward bounce.
The missiles did not stop despite the arrival of Jakarta Police Chief Inspector General Sofyan Yacob, who came to inspect the proceedings.
Overall, Indonesia's players were outclassed in both skill and speed. Strikers Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto, Gendut or Bambang found it difficult to pass through China's tall defenders; Xu Yunlong, Fan Zhiyi, Li Weifeng and Wu.
Only Hendro's outstanding performance saved the host's net from more Chinese bombardment during the match, which was attended by People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais.
China, which remains undefeated so far, goes into the last qualifying round along with the other eight of 10 Asian zone group champions; Oman, Iran, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
Two or three teams from Asia will qualify for the World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan. Both hosts automatically qualify.
Despite the poor result, Indonesian coach Benny Dolo said he was pleased with his players' performances.
"I'm satisfied with the players. I think soccer fans, who have followed our training program, can understand the players' condition.
"They have to divide their concentration between the national team and their clubs, because they earn their living from club matches. But I think they showed outstanding performances today," he told a post-match conference.
All players had to perform in their respective clubs only two days after arriving from Kunming, China, where they lost 5-1 to China in their away match.
He also said that he had needed more time for training.
"I was hired by the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) just three weeks before the qualifying round began, but Bora Milutinovic has coached China's national team for one year."
Bora did not say much during the conference but praised both team's performances. He also lauded the host's effort to enliven the match, which only sounded like diplomacy.
"PSSI has organized the match very well...the Indonesian players have improved their play. Today we won, but tomorrow maybe Indonesia can take our place."
Bora, who has coached four different national teams -- Mexico, Costa Rica, the United States and Nigeria -- into the World Cup final rounds, also refused to comment on the next qualifying round.
"We need to wait. You need to speak less about it."
PSSI Chairman Agum Gumelar said that the association was ready for a FIFA sanction for the supporters' unruly behavior. (ivy)
Group 9 final standings
(Team, P, W, D, L, GF, GA, Pts): (China, 6, 6, 0, 0, 25, 3, 17); (Indonesia, 6, 4, 0, 2, 16, 7, 12); (Maldives, 6, 1, 1, 4, 8, 19, 4); (Cambodia, 6, 0, 1, 5, 2, 22, 1).