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Thursday, July 24, 2008

 

Indonesia v New Zealand 2-1

From the chilly antipodean winter New Zealand's young Olympic squad find themselves taking on a near full strength Indonesia is sweltering conditions at an empty Bung Karno Stadium.

A 3.30 kick off may give the Indonesians an advantage on the pitch as their players are used to the heat but it deters fans from going to the game. I mean, FA, some of us have day jobs you know?

Indonesia took the lead on 12 minutes when a free kick driven in from the right was drilled home by midfield dynamo Firman Utina.

Elie Aiboy looked threatening down the right in flashes but his end product was often poor while on the left Budi Sudarsono drove forward with relish.

It was his run that beat the offside that set up Indonesia's second goal just on the half hour. Budi got to the half way line and pulled the ball back leaving Bambang Pamungkas to smash the ball high into the net.

It was that rarities in Indonesian football, a goal from open play but Bambang's finishing emphasised there ain't a lot wrong up top. It's just the service that is lacking at times.

Come the tackles and come the stretchers as the Indonesians delighted in being carried off for slight knocks. Really, this is pathetic but as one commentator told me they do the same in Italy and other Latin countries. Maybe, but is that an excuse?

Right at the death Brockie caught Markus Horison in the Indonesian goal, and the camera crew, off guard and got a goal back and seconds later he again threatened but this time Markus pushed the ball over the bar.

Half time Indonesia v New Zealand 2-1

Much of the second half drifted along but in the last 10 minutes the game opened up as New Zealand pushed for an equaliser. Horison saving spectularly from close range, and Indonesia, spearheaded by Widowo, probed the gaps.

With the last action of the game Budi Sudarsono went on another surging run only for his shot to pass harmlessly across the goal.


Comments:
Bit of a joke really these kick-off times.

I've heard about FIFA talking about games at altitude, but i guess it's time for them to set a standard for kick-off times, so all can enjoy.
 
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