Wednesday, October 12, 2011
World Cup Qualifiers Match Day 3
Indonesia v Qatar 2-3 (Christian Gonzales 2) 28,000
Singapore v Jordan 0-3 3,799
Thailand v Saudi Arabia 0-0 42,000
OK so Indonesia and Singapore can forget about a trip to Brazil in 2014 following defeates to Middle Eastern nations while the Thais sit second in their group two points ahead of the Saudis but face two away games to complete the group.
Indonesia played better against Qatar than they did against Bahrain but frankly they're not good enough. Say what you like about the problems facing the national league, there was one moment that summed up the chasm in quality between the hosts and Qatar and indeed the rest of Asia.
The visitors second goal was a sublime lob from about 25 yards with keeper Ferry Rotinsulu off guard. It was as well taken as wit was simple. Yet I have never seen an Indonesia player score a goal like that. Both Indonesia's goals were scrappy affairs, yes you have to be in the 6 yard area to knock them in but you can't rely on defensive lapses to pull you out of jail everytime. It pays to have players with the wonderful knack of thinking out of the box. That has nothing to do with the number of games played in the domestic league, it has everything to do with the manner of training and management at club level where all too often fear is the over riding factor.
# posted by Me @ 5:18 AM 
