TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia beat Thailand 3-0 in a U-19 friendly match yesterday at Wibawa Mukti Stadium, Cikarang. The goals were scored by Witan Sulaeman in the 44th minute, Syahrian Abimanyu in the 79th minute and Saddil Ramdani in the 88th minute.
Indonesia was dominant in the first half. With a 4-1- 3-1- 1 system, Indra Sjafri’s boys played possession football. Egy Maulana Vikri & Co. created a lot of chances. Egy almost scored in the 37th minute when he got past Thailand Goalkeeper Suthipong Pisansub but the 17-year old shot over the bar.
Witan Sulaiman broke the deadlock in the 44th minute. In a harmless attack, goalkeeper Pisansub failed to control the ball and Witan pounced for a tap-in. The score remained 1-0 as the first half ended.
Coach Sjafri replaced Muhammad Iqbal and Asnawi Mangkualam with Saddil Ramdani and Syahrian Abimanyu. The changes improved the host’s wing play. Indonesia doubled the lead in the 79th minute when a short exchange led to Abimanyu’s shot that could not be stopped by substitute goalkeeper Wongsomsak.
Saddil widened the margin in the 88th minute after receiving a through ball from the right wing. He unleashed a low shot from the left side of the goal to make it 3-0.
EGI ADYATAMA
