Kuching
Sunday, 26th December 2010
Indonesia came crashing back to earth in the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup, losing 3-0 to Malaysia in the first leg final in Kuala Lumpur, on Sunday evening.
Mohd Safee’s goals in the 61st and 73rd minutes and another one by Mohamad Ashari in the 68th gave the home side a comfortable cushion heading into Wednesday’s return match in Jakarta.
Indonesia entered the match at Bukit Jalil Stadium having given up only two goals in five matches.
The Merah Putih had also enjoyed some psychological edge with a 5-1 thrashing of Malaysia in the group stage.
But the Malaysians proved they were far from the team that got clobbered the first time, pressuring the Indonesians to make long passes on Sunday and forcing them to resort to counterattacks.
Referee Toma Masaaki stopped the match in the 53rd minute, after Indonesia complained that the lights were being aimed at players while they tried to defend Malaysia’s free kick.
The game resumed after eight minutes.
Meanwhile, Wednesday's game is in some doubt after fans rioted over problems getting tickets turfed up chunks of the Gelora Bung Karno pitch on Sunday morning.
Mupok Aku
Sunday, 26th December 2010
Malaysian Mohd Safee Mohd Sali beats Zulkifli Syukur of Indonesia to the ball during his team's 3-0 win in the first leg final match of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 between Malaysia and Indonesia at Bukit Jalil Stadium near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. EPA Photo
Indonesia came crashing back to earth in the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup, losing 3-0 to Malaysia in the first leg final in Kuala Lumpur, on Sunday evening.
Mohd Safee’s goals in the 61st and 73rd minutes and another one by Mohamad Ashari in the 68th gave the home side a comfortable cushion heading into Wednesday’s return match in Jakarta.
Indonesia entered the match at Bukit Jalil Stadium having given up only two goals in five matches.
The Merah Putih had also enjoyed some psychological edge with a 5-1 thrashing of Malaysia in the group stage.
But the Malaysians proved they were far from the team that got clobbered the first time, pressuring the Indonesians to make long passes on Sunday and forcing them to resort to counterattacks.
Referee Toma Masaaki stopped the match in the 53rd minute, after Indonesia complained that the lights were being aimed at players while they tried to defend Malaysia’s free kick.
The game resumed after eight minutes.
Meanwhile, Wednesday's game is in some doubt after fans rioted over problems getting tickets turfed up chunks of the Gelora Bung Karno pitch on Sunday morning.
Mupok Aku
