Jakarta Casual

This was, for me, the big one. If Indonesia lost to a rapidly improving Malaysia side then it would have been Goodnight Vienna. Or Hanoi. Or Singapore.

The game started scrappily as both sides struggled to find any rhythym or fluidity and it was the Malaysians that drew first blood with a nicely worked move finished off by the hugely talented Norsharrul.

As you would expect boos echoed round the stadium in reply while the hardy Malaysian fans inside the stadium had little thought bubbles coming out of their heads with text saying things like ‘Oh what a lovely move’ and ‘Yes!’.

Indonesia responded immediately and with Oktavanius out wide his cross was bundled into his own net by a Malaysian defender.

Indonesia started to take control and do things the fans weren’t used to. Like pass to each other, use the flanks,, that kind of stuff. It was all unnerving and the general feeling was that all this huff and puff would fade in about the 70^th minute and Malaysia would take control.

Never happened though. With Gonzalez and Irfan bachdim up front lacking pace it was up to the midfield to keep the wide players supplied and they did just that. Oktavianus is like one of those little toys where you push his head into his neck and he will run and run until the head reverts to its normal position. Pace to burn but not always an end product.

But the Sriwijaya winger ran Malaysia ragged. And when it wasn’t him it was M Ridwan or Nasuha. Indonesia going forward were always a threat and that has not been said for many a year.

Irfan bachdim was immense up front and well deserved his brace. His confidence was such that at one time, with his strike partner Gonzalez having lost his marker in the box, the Persema striker let fly from 30 yards, just over. Gonzalez grimaces, Bachdim carried on regardless.

Gonzalez scored his 4^th goal in three international appearances since he acquired Indonesian citizenship and Indonesia started taking a grip of the game as Malaysia, struggling with many injuries, vainly tried to hold the red tide back.

Bachdim scored twice second half and substitute Arif Suyono had enough time to make it five with the last kick of the game.

An impressive attacking display by the Indonesians though they still looked shaky, especially early on, at the back before Hamkah Hamza and Maman Abdurahman started to gel.

The normal scenario in recent years of an Indonesian performance is 40 yard diagonal balls into the penalty area hoping Bambang Pamungkas wins the ball in the air and Bambang Pamungkas wins the knock down. But things have changed. Top scorer Boas Solossa was ruthlessly axed from the team and the gentlemanly Bambang was a spectator for much of this game on the bench. oh, and next to Bambang on the bench was Yongki Aribowo!

# posted by Me @ 6:50 PM