AFF U18: Indonesian goal fest over Philippines

Indonesia made it a goal fest on the fourth match day in Group B of the AFF Under-18 Championship when they blasted the Philippines 9-0 in the late game at the Thuwunna Stadium.

With Vietnam having crushed Brunei DS 8-1 in an earlier tie, the Indonesians followed it up with another big win as the spectators enjoyed a total of 18 goals being scored over two matches.

“I am just grateful for the six points from two matches,” said Indonesian head coach Indra Sjafri. “I don’t think that we have a striker problem as afterall, we scored nine goals in this game.”

With the rain letting up just before kick-off, it allowed both teams to play some decent football as Indonesia kept up their winning performance from the first match over hosts Myanmar with another confident appearance.

It was an all-attacking side which took to the field and before long, the Philippines were feeling the tremendous pressure from all sides as they would soon realised that it was going to be a long, long night.

Feby Eka Putra cracked open the scoring with a dipping shot from 20metres in the eight minute as Egy Maulana Vikri then added the second goal when he pounced on a loose ball in the 22^nd minute.

Muhammad Iqbal then grabbed the third goal with a shot from inside the box as Indonesia shrugged off a missed penalty from Asnawi Mangkualam Putra in the 31^st minute to continue pressing the Philippines.

A second penalty seven minutes later saw Egy making good from the spot as Indonesia then trooped off into the dressing room confident with Iqbal adding the fifth goal of the game five minutes before the break.

The several changes in the second half changed the pace of the match as the Philippines managed to find the cracks to push forward.

But in spite of the chances presented, Marcel Ouano and Fidel Tacardon just could not find the final touch to beat Indonesian keeper Muhammad Riyandi.

Indonesia finally added to their tally through Feby’s brace (68^th and 87^th minute) before Philippines goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad was red carded for pulling Muhammad Rafli Mursalim inside the box a minute to the end.

Rafli then blasted in the penalty himself as substitute Resky Fandi Witriawan finished things off right at the end.

“The plan was to hold Indonesia but we just did not do enough,” said Philippines head coach Jose Aberasturi. “We were tactically lacking against a strong Indonesian side.”

RESULTS – GROUP B

Brunei 1 Vietnam 8

Philippines 0 Indonesia 9             

FIXTURES – GROUP A

8 Sept 2017

1500: Laos vs Singapore (Aung San Stadium)

1500: Thailand vs Cambodia (Thuwunna Stadium)

1800: Timor Leste vs Malaysia (Thuwunna Stadium)

CURRENT STANDINGS (as at 7 Sept 2017)

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