The soccer match which took place at the Patriot Chandrabaga Stadium, in Bekasi, West Java Province, on Sunday (Aug.12) was the third day of the Asian Games soccer matches, prior to the official opening ceremony of this Asia`s largest sporting event on Saturday (Aug.18).
The multi-sport event is scheduled to be held from Aug. 18 to Sept. 2, 2018 in the cities of Jakarta and Palembang in South Sumatra.
A total of 16,920 athletes and officials from 45 Asian countries have been registered for the Games. Overall, more than 11 thousand athletes will vie for medals in 40 sports and 67 disciplines.
Meanwhile, the Asian Olympic Committee (OCA) has decided to include Palestine and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the number of participants reaches 26 countries, divided into groups of A to F.
Indonesia along with Hong Kong, Palestine, Chinese Taipei and Laos are placed in group A.
In playing against the Chinese Taipei, the four goals were scored by the Indonesian players Stefano Lilipaly (in the 67th and 76th minutes), Alberto Goncalves (in 71st minute) and Muhammad Hargianto (in 90 + 3 minute).
The victory made Indonesia`s temporary position at the second place in Group A with three points, under Palestine with four points.
Although it has the same points as Hong Kong, Indonesia made more goals compared to the Hong Kong`s 3 goals.
On Friday (Aug.10), the Hong Kong team defeated Laos with the score of 3-1.
In the first match, Indonesia U-23 team coach Luis Milla fielded a naturalized senior player Alberto "Beto" Goncalves as the spearhead that sustained the movement of two wings Febri Hariyadi and Irfan Jaya.
In addition, Milla also played two other senior players namely midfielder Stefano Lilipaly and goalkeeper Andritany Ardhiyasa.
The Chinese Taipei remains strengthened by three senior players namely goalkeeper Pan Wenchieh, defender Ruei Wang and captain Tingyang Chen, similar when they drew 0-0 with Palestine in the inaugural match of Group A.
Such a formation made the Indonesian team more dominant than its opponents. Relying on the speed of the left and right wing filled by Febri Hariyadi and Irfan Jaya, Indonesia controlled the play almost throughout the first half.
But it turned out to be anticipated by the Chinese Taipei defense line. Alberto Goncalves had a chance in the 19th minute, but his shot still headed right into the body of goalkeeper Pan Wenchieh.
After that, Evan Dimas and Zulfiandi took turns threatening the Chinese Taipei goal, but they failed to create goal.
Then the Chinese Taipei team tried several times to counterattack, however, it also produced nothing. The 0-0 score lasted until halftime.
In the second half, the Indonesian U-23 team`s game improved, and it was finally able to break the deadlock in the 67th minute through Stefano Lilipaly`s header.
Less than five minutes or exactly in 71st minute, Indonesia again increased a goal. Starting from a quick counterattack, Zulfiandi sent a short ball to Alberto Goncalves who converted it into a goal.
The 2-0 score did not last long as in the 76th minute Stefano Lilipaly (Fano) netted his second goal in the match. Fano scored with an overhead kick after receiving Rezaldi Hehanusa`s cross from the right side of the Chinese Taipei defense.
Chinese Taipei then tried to make the goal in the remaining minutes, but the score did not change. Instead, Indonesia scored again from a long-range strike of Muhammad Hargianto, who went on to replace Evan Dimas in the second round, in the 90th + 3 minute.
Indonesia won 4-0 and was entitled to three points.
Earlier, the Palestinian U-23 national team successfully defeated Laos 2-1 in advanced soccer match in group A at the Patriot Candrabaga Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Laos` single goal was scored by midfielder as well as the team captain Phoutthasay Khochalern in the 14th minute, while two goals for Palestine were scored by Mahmoud Yousef in the 83rd minute and Abdellatif Albahdari in the 90th + 3 minutes.
The victory made Palestine temporarily lead the Group A standings with four points from two matches, while Laos is still at the bottom after losing in two matches.
In the match, both Palestine and Laos rotated their squad from the previous match. Palestinian coach fielded Mahmoud Yousef and Omar Alsharif, replacing attacker Shehab Qumbor and defender Yousef Alashhab, who played in their inaugural match against the Chinese Taipei U-23 national team which ended 0-0 on Friday.
Meanwhile, Laos, reserved Xousana Sihalath and Sonevilai Sihanong who competed when they lost 1-3 to Hong Kong in the first match on Friday (Aug 10), and fielded Kittisak Phomvongsa and Xayasith Singsavang.
The results then the Palestinian team immediately hit Laos since the first minute. The Palestinian coach Ayman Sandouqa`s players successfully locked up Laos.
One of their first chances came in the 11th minute, however, the free kick of Mahmoud Yousef from about three meters from outside the penalty area, failed to advance to Laos`s goal.
Seven minutes later, Laos, which relied on counterattacks, shocked Palestine. The Laos squad trained by Singaporean coach Mike Wong successfully built a counter-attack that was completed well by captain Phoutthasay Khochalern.
The ball resulted from a Phoutthasay volley from outside the penalty box crashing into the top right corner of the Palestinian goal without being driven away by goalkeeper Rami Hamada.
A 1-0 score for the superiority of Laos makes Palestine stung. However, despite mastering the match, they could not score until halftime.
The second half is not different from the first. Palestinians confine Laos half the field almost throughout the round.
Then, the Palestinians could equalize the score in the 83rd minute. It was Mahmoud Yousef who successfully netted the ball after his header receiving a cross from the right side of the Palestinian attack could not be anticipated by goalkeeper Saymanolinh Paseuth.
The Palestinian victory (goal) finally came in the 90th + 3th minute. The Laos defense could not anticipate a Palestinian U-23 national team captain`s header as well as senior Palestinian national team captain Abdallatif Albahdari who shot smoothly into Paseuth`s goal.
The match ended with a score of 2-1 for the victory of Palestine.
Earlier, the Palestinian U-23 national team match against Taiwan U-23 national team ended in a 0-0 draw on Friday.
Reporter: bustanuddin
Editor: Bustanuddin
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
