Team members celebrate after Indonesian U-22 national soccer team player Febri Hariyadi scores against Cambodia in a group B game at the SEA Games Kuala Lumpur 2017 in Shah Alam Stadium, Selangor, Malaysia, Thursday (24/8). Indonesia has made it through to the semifinal after beating Cambodia 2-0.
SELANGOR, KOMPAS – Indonesia’s national under-22 soccer squad has advanced to the semifinals of the SEA Games Kuala Lumpur 2017 after defeating Cambodia 2-0 on Thursday (24/8/2017). The victory has boosted the Garuda team’s optimism in facing the host team, which currently leads Group A, on Saturday (26/8).
Indonesia will also advance to the semifinals in Group B alongside group leader Thailand. In Thursday’s match, Thailand bested Vietnam 3-0.
Thailand will face runner-up Myanmar in the Group A semifinals.
The match against Malaysia will provide Indonesia an opportunity for payback after its loss in a previous match at the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship qualification in mid-July. Indonesia was defeated 0-3 by Malaysia. Before that, Malaysia also defeated Indonesia in the final round of the 2011 SEA Games in Jakarta.
Indonesia National Team coach Luis Milla said he had asked the Indonesian team members to enjoy their match against Malaysia, which he predicted would be tense. “Just give your supporters and all Indonesians entertainment and a great game. That’s it,” said the Spanish coach.
The Indonesian players must take care not be overcome by euphoria over its success in advancing to the semifinals. After a short break on Friday, the team will need to face the host team on Saturday. Malaysia’s supporters are expected to provide strong support for their beloved players in the home game. Nevertheless, Indonesia also has a huge number of supporters in Kuala Lumpur.
Domination
During the match against Cambodia, Hansamu Yama and his teammates dominated the field and pushed their opponents. It was difficult for the Garuda team to penetrate the Cambodian team’s solid defenses during the first half.
Disaster came for the Cambodian team after its defender, Choum Pisa, was given his second yellow card and had to leave the field during the first half’s injury time. The Cambodian team was left with only 10 players, thereby raising Indonesia’s chances of winning the game.
As the second half kicked off, Indonesia replaced attacking midfielder Osvaldo Ardiles Haay with Febri Hariyadi. In the 53rd minute, Indonesia increased its pressure on Cambodia by replacing defender Ricky Fajrin Saputra with forward Ezra Harm Ruud Walian. The replacement was proven good strategy, as no more than three minutes later, Ezra scored his first ever SEA Games goal.
Indonesia’s dominance was solidified when Febri scored Garuda’s second goal from a long shot in the 69th minute.
Tainted
Unfortunately, Garuda’s heroic feat was tainted by forward Marinus Maryanto Wanewar’s provocation of Cambodian players at the end of the match. In the tense match, a simple violation in the second half’s injury time triggered a altercation between players. Cambodian officials were also provoked by Marinus’s improper conduct.
Milla said that he regretted the unsportsmanlike behavior. “I apologize for what Martinus did at the end of the match. I am saddened by what he did. National team players should be able to give a good image for their country,” he said.
Cambodian coach Vasconcellos Andrade Vitorino also deplored Marinus’ action, which he said triggered the commotion at the end of the match. He said that Indonesia must discipline and educate Marinus not to show any improper behavior.
Aside from this incident, however, Vitorino praised the Indonesian team for playing well and applying pressure from both sides of the field. He added that the experience of facing Indonesia will be useful for Cambodia in the future.
