Indonesia thrash Malaysia 3-0 in friendly
THE STAR
PETALING JAYA: Indonesia celebrated their return to the international football scene in style after defeating a bungling Malaysian side 3-0 in a friendly match at the Manahan Stadium in Solo on Tuesday.
It was a carnival atmosphere for the local fans as they witnessed Indonesia’s first competitive match since a one-year ban for government interference, was lifted by FIFA in May.
The Garuda did not disappoint their die-hard supporters as they got down to serious business with three quick goals in the opening 20 minutes and sounded an early earning of their return for the AFF Suzuki Cup from Nov 19-Dec 17.
Skipper Boaz Solossa starred with a brace (seventh and 20th) while nippy Irfan Bachdim, who plays for J2 League Consadole Sapporo added the other (11th).
The Malaysians, especially the backline were a bundle of nerves in the early stages as they conceded the opening two goals from defensive lapses.
Centreback Mohd Fadhli Shas was guilty for giving away a soft-goal in the seventh minute when his weak clearance was picked up by the lurking Boaz, who raced into the box before firing a stiff shot past a helpless Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.
Four minutes later the nippy Irfan latched onto Brendan Gan’s back pass to waltz past an unsettled Malaysian defence for the goal.
The Malaysian defence led by Fadhli Shas and Ronny Harun were pinned into their own half and were unable to stop the fierce Indonesian onslaught. It was not long before they conceded a third goal through Boaz in the 20th minute from a goalmouth melee.
Malaysia had their fair share of scoring chances but skipper Mohd Amri Yahyah missed a couple of sitters while Mohd Safawi Rasid and Mohd Azrif Nasrulhaq also tested Indonesian goalkeeper Andritany Ardhiyasa from long range attempts
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