AFF U19: Amazing comeback from Indonesia

Hosts Indonesia staged an amazing comeback against the Philippines here tonight to secure their third straight win in the AFF Under-19 Championship and more importantly keep them on track for a place in the semi-finals. Indonesia, unbeaten so far in the tournament, recovered from a goal down to hit four goals in the last eight minutes for a smashing 4-1 win at the Gelora Delta Stadium.

With time running out, the looks of the faces of the officials and the worried faces of the 16,000 plus fans tonight said it all. But the Indonesian boys, after struggling throughout to get their shots in, netted the equaliser through Saddil Ramdani in the 82^nd minute.

That goal roused up the team and clearly boosted their confidence. A minute later and Indonesia took the lead through Firza Andika and the fans were simply ecstatic. Two more goals soon followed from Saddil (86^th) and Todd Ferre (90^th) and it was all over. Up to the point of the equaliser, the Filipinos, in particular their goalkeeper Jessie Semblante, had turned in a splendid performance. Jessie had time and again frustrated the Indonesian strikers with his brilliant saves.

Indonesia, after wins over Laos and Singapore in earlier ties, now have a maximum nine points and well within reach of moving on to the next stage. Thailand and Vietnam, both winners tonight, have seven points apiece after three matches. But Thailand are second on better goal difference. Indonesia’s remaining matches are against the Thais and Vietnamese, ironically, all three countries are battling for the two precious semi-final slots.

In the first half tonight, Indonesia went on the attack from the start. Presumably thinking they would have easy, the Indonesian strikers began to pressure their rivals, The Filipinos did not crack and took everything that was hurled at them. As the game progressed, the Filipinos, who had stunned Singapore 2-1 in an earlier match, launched counter quick attacks and almost surprised the hosts.

Chester Gio Angeles Pabualan’s freekick in the 27^th minute was well caught but it was a different story in the 33^rd minute. Chester, from the right of the box, sent a cracking shot that swept across the goal, hit the left post and smash into goal. It was a tremendous freekick. The Indonesia fans were stunned for a few seconds, but sportingly applauded the goal and went back to supporting their own team. 

In the second half, the Indonesian players threw everything they had into the game. They knew they had to win to remain in contention. But the Filipinos were not having any of it. They were in fact doing a lot of attacking but like the rivals, could not find the mark. With time running out, the Indonesian players, to their credit, never gave up. And their efforts paid off eight minutes from the end when Saddil cut in from the right and sent a stiff left-footed shot into the bottom corner, just beyond Jessie’s reach.

At the Joko Samudro Stadium this afternoon, Thailand charged to a three-goal lead in the first half before ending the day with a thumping 6-0 win. This was Thailand’s second straight victory after overcoming Laos two days ago. Thailand drew their opening tie against Vietnam.

The Thais got their show on the road with an early strike, in the fifth  minute from striker Pithak Phaphirom, who easily tapped in a low cross from Nakin Wisetchat on the right. It was very much Singapore in the driver’s seat after that, they had several fine chances but were unable to put the ball in the net. Rezza Rezky Ramadhani Yacobjan and Timothy David Yeo Yi An were among the ones that came agonisingly close to getting their names on the scoresheet.

Singapore misses would weigh in heavily on them as Thailand soon came around and struck in the 28^th and 36^th minutes. Matee Sarakhum let loose a powerful shot which goalkeeper Nurshafiq Zaini did well to save, however, the Thai got it right in the follow up. Matee was in the thick of action again several minutes on, setting up Sittichok Paso with a cheeky backheel.

Thailand were not done yet and notched three more goals coming from Matee (48^th), Suphanat Mueanta (73^rd) and Korawich Tasa (78^th).

In another Group A match over at the Joko Samudro Stadium in Gresik, Vietnam also picked up full points for the second successive match when they defeated Laos 4-1 this afternoon. Vietnam enjoyed a three-goal lead at the break and managed one more after to ensure they remain well in contention. After sharing points with Thailand in the opening game, Vietnam went on to defeat the Philippines 5-0.

Vietnam scored first through Tran Danh Trung (23^rd) and this was followed by an own goal from Xayasith Singsavang. Dang Van Toi settled the first half with a last minute strike. While they tried hard, Vietnam managed to sneak on one more goal through Nguyen Huu Thang in the 74^th minute. Kydavone Souvanny snatched one for Laos a minute from time.

The Group B matches will be staged tomorrow at the Joko Samudro Stadium with Malaysia battling Brunei while Myanmar face Cambodia.

 RESULTS 

 FIXTURES (remaining group stage matches)

July 6 – Group B: Malaysia vs Brunei, Myanmar vs Cambodia

July 7 – Group A: Singapore vs Laos, Philippines vs Thailand, Indonesia vs Vietnam

July 8 – Group B: Myanmar vs Brunei, Timor Leste vs Malaysia

July 9 – Group A: Laos vs Philippines, Vietnam vs Singapore, Thailand vs Indonesia 

July 10 – Group B: Cambodia vs Timor Leste, Malaysia vs Myanmar

For the complete fixtures, go to http://www.aseanfootball.org/v3/aff-u19-championship-2018/#1526567058939-ef16c19b-91be

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