INDONESIA UPDATED. The Young Garudas avenged for their 2011 SEA Games defeat by inflicting misery upon Malaysia on penalties and thus, booking their spot in the finals of this year's SEA Games
Indonesia consistently pressed through the flanks, with Bayu being a real threat with a pace and trickery. However, the first real chance of the game fell to Malaysia on the 10th minute.
Hazwan Bakri showed great awareness to work his way past two Indonesian defenders before feeding Thamil Arasu with a delicious through ball. But the towering forward could only launch a weak shot on goal, which was easily picked up by the Indonesian goalie.
10 minutes later, it was Yandi Munawar's turn to test the Malaysian defence's resolve, as he unleashed a long range shot, which skimmed the top of the bar. A bit more accuracy and Malaysia could have gone down there. From this point, Indonesia began to slowly assert themselves into the game.
They began to build play from deep inside their half with some much of patience, and it finally paid off on the 30th minute mark. Bayu Gatra, who consistently tormented the Malaysian defence, played an intelligent one-two with Fandi Eko, before firing past Izham to give Indonesia the lead. A brilliant piece of play which ultimately led to a pivotal goal for Indonesia, as Ong Kim Swee looked frustrated on the sidelines.
Just when you expected Malaysia to bounce back and start pushing on the offensive, Indonesia came so close to actually doubling their lead just minutes later, as Yandi Munawar's dipping shot clattered against the bar, to the relief of Malaysia's defence.
As the game edged towards half time, Fadhli Shas was presented with a glorious opportunity to equalize for Malaysia, but the central defender scuffed his finish as it went above the bar.
After the break, Malaysia visibly showed more urgency on the offensive. But it seemed like they were missing the element of creativity within the midfield as they continued to launch unnecessary long balls forward.
But Indonesia were still spraying passes around with ease, and their confident build up play allowed them to run rings around the Malaysian midfield, making them frustrated. Yandi Munawar, who was a threat all throughout the game, had another attempt on goal, though Izham was equal to it this time.
Ong Kim Swee then made the move of introducing Rozaimi Rahman and Nazmi Faiz and they made an instant impact. Rozaimi was played through by Nazmi, only for the Sabah-born forward to misjudge the position of the ball. Thamil Arasu and Saarvindran then combined well but Saarvindran's final product could only head directly into the goalkeeper's palms.
The game continously got frustrating for Malaysia as they kept pushing for the coveted equalizer. Fans were reminded prior to the game, to never lose hope when Malaysia play, especially after their late 90th minute goal against Singapore last time around. True enough, Harimau Muda restored parity on the 85th minute mark as Thamil Arasu, so often criticised for his lack of composure, showed tremendous amount of that very quality, to fire home and send the Malaysian fans into rapture. And the assist was provided by none other than Nazmi Faiz.
With five minutes left on the clock, it became a scramble for both sides to find the winner and avoid heading into extra time. Andik Vermansyah had an attempt towards the Malaysian goal, but it went out for offisde. Hazwan Bakri then came agonizingly close with a powerful shot, but it missed the target by inches. Ultimately, the regulation time came to a conclusion and extra time beckoned.
In the first half of extra time, there wasn't much opportunity for either sides as they employed cautious styles of play. Izzaq Faris created one chance for Rozaimi, but it was cleared away by Diego Michels and at the other end, Yandi fired his attempt way off target.
As for the second half, it became even more evident that the Indonesians were beginning to huff and puff their way through the game. Harimau Muda maintained their offensive pressure; Rozaimi and Hazwan trying various combinations to outsmart the Indonesian defence. But nonetheless, both sides closed each other out, as the extra time finished with the score still being 1-1. And of course, penalties ensued.
But things did not well from the offset. Thamil Arasu stepped up to take the first attempt, and his weak shot was easily saved by Kurnia. Alfin then placed Indonesia ahead with a composed attempt, before Shahrul Saad's shot was saved yet again by Kurnia.
Diego Michelis, Nazmi Faiz, Yandi Munawar and Fadhli Shas all converted their respective penalty attempts before Munahati fired his one above the bar to give Malaysia a lifeline. And despite Rozaimi coolly slotting home Malaysia's fifth attempt, Panabol stepped up and fired home to send Indonesia into the finals.
10 minutes later, it was Yandi Munawar's turn to test the Malaysian defence's resolve, as he unleashed a long range shot, which skimmed the top of the bar. A bit more accuracy and Malaysia could have gone down there. From this point, Indonesia began to slowly assert themselves into the game.
They began to build play from deep inside their half with some much of patience, and it finally paid off on the 30th minute mark. Bayu Gatra, who consistently tormented the Malaysian defence, played an intelligent one-two with Fandi Eko, before firing past Izham to give Indonesia the lead. A brilliant piece of play which ultimately led to a pivotal goal for Indonesia, as Ong Kim Swee looked frustrated on the sidelines.
Just when you expected Malaysia to bounce back and start pushing on the offensive, Indonesia came so close to actually doubling their lead just minutes later, as Yandi Munawar's dipping shot clattered against the bar, to the relief of Malaysia's defence.
As the game edged towards half time, Fadhli Shas was presented with a glorious opportunity to equalize for Malaysia, but the central defender scuffed his finish as it went above the bar.
After the break, Malaysia visibly showed more urgency on the offensive. But it seemed like they were missing the element of creativity within the midfield as they continued to launch unnecessary long balls forward.
But Indonesia were still spraying passes around with ease, and their confident build up play allowed them to run rings around the Malaysian midfield, making them frustrated. Yandi Munawar, who was a threat all throughout the game, had another attempt on goal, though Izham was equal to it this time.
Ong Kim Swee then made the move of introducing Rozaimi Rahman and Nazmi Faiz and they made an instant impact. Rozaimi was played through by Nazmi, only for the Sabah-born forward to misjudge the position of the ball. Thamil Arasu and Saarvindran then combined well but Saarvindran's final product could only head directly into the goalkeeper's palms.
The game continously got frustrating for Malaysia as they kept pushing for the coveted equalizer. Fans were reminded prior to the game, to never lose hope when Malaysia play, especially after their late 90th minute goal against Singapore last time around. True enough, Harimau Muda restored parity on the 85th minute mark as Thamil Arasu, so often criticised for his lack of composure, showed tremendous amount of that very quality, to fire home and send the Malaysian fans into rapture. And the assist was provided by none other than Nazmi Faiz.
With five minutes left on the clock, it became a scramble for both sides to find the winner and avoid heading into extra time. Andik Vermansyah had an attempt towards the Malaysian goal, but it went out for offisde. Hazwan Bakri then came agonizingly close with a powerful shot, but it missed the target by inches. Ultimately, the regulation time came to a conclusion and extra time beckoned.
In the first half of extra time, there wasn't much opportunity for either sides as they employed cautious styles of play. Izzaq Faris created one chance for Rozaimi, but it was cleared away by Diego Michels and at the other end, Yandi fired his attempt way off target.
As for the second half, it became even more evident that the Indonesians were beginning to huff and puff their way through the game. Harimau Muda maintained their offensive pressure; Rozaimi and Hazwan trying various combinations to outsmart the Indonesian defence. But nonetheless, both sides closed each other out, as the extra time finished with the score still being 1-1. And of course, penalties ensued.
But things did not well from the offset. Thamil Arasu stepped up to take the first attempt, and his weak shot was easily saved by Kurnia. Alfin then placed Indonesia ahead with a composed attempt, before Shahrul Saad's shot was saved yet again by Kurnia.
Diego Michelis, Nazmi Faiz, Yandi Munawar and Fadhli Shas all converted their respective penalty attempts before Munahati fired his one above the bar to give Malaysia a lifeline. And despite Rozaimi coolly slotting home Malaysia's fifth attempt, Panabol stepped up and fired home to send Indonesia into the finals.
goal.com
