Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Indonesia v Maldives 3-0
Oktavianus Maniani made many people sit up and take notice with many pacy performances for Persitara last season. Alas it was all in vain as his team got relegated but the 19 year old had done enough to earn a move to Cup winners Sriwijaya and even a call up to the national team. And it was his first half goal, a slow motion drive from about 12 yards, that gave Indonesia a first half lead.
With Bambang Pamungkas down the middle Indonesia looked to the wings a lot more than they have since Elie Aiboy faded from the scene. Instead of playing long to Bambang the likes of Nova Arianto at centre back would go all Koeman-esqu and play 40-50 yard balls wide right and Indonesia would let Okta do the rest without always getting enough men into the box to keep the momentum going.
For the first 60 minutes it was mostly one way traffic as Indonesia kept the pressure. The only stand out for the Maldives was the massive Arif Muhammed who must have felt the heat more than most given the weight of his dreadlocks that hung down his back and was home to several nesting birds and small lizards.
On 75 minutes something very strange happened. Indonesia scored a second goal! Doesn't happen too often. Firman Utina drove through the middle almost unopposed. He lost control of the ball in the box and the ball rebounded to Yongki Aribowo and his snap shot made it 2-0. A great moment for Arema's new striker scoring with almost his first touch after replacing Bambang Pamungkas.
The difference between Yongki and so many of his compatriots is that Yongki expects to score. Rarely do you see him flail haphardly at a loose ball. With Yongki it is cool precision. It's almost like he has weighed up his options before the chance has even offered itself and the result is the goalie usually has work to do. Call it instinct, call it technique, it set him apart at a young age and moving to Arema could be the making of him.
Tony Sucipto, former captain of the SEA Games team, made it 3-0 on 90 minutes with a sweetly taken volley.
Good result for Indonesia with fine goals from the new breed but the opposition weren't that much.
# posted by Me @ 4:33 PM 
