AFF SUZUKI CUP 2010

Indonesia 5 Malaysia 1

JAKARTA: Indonesia made a perfect start to their AFF Suzuki Cup campaign after coming from behind to trounce Malaysia 5-1 in their Group A opener at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Wednesday.

After weathering an early storm, Norshahrul Idlan fired the Tigers into a surprise lead with a breakaway goal in the 18th minute. But the hosts levelled shortly afterwards when Malaysian defender Asraruddin Putra turned Irfan Bachdim's low cross into his own net.

The hosts then took the lead with a superb finish by striker Christian Gonzales before half-time before Muhammad Ridwan, substitute Arif Suyono and Irfan completed the rout after the break.

With a fiercely partisan home crowd cheering them one, the Indonesians began the game strongly and very nearly took the lead in the second minute when Malaysia goalkeeper Sharbinee Allawee made a superb save to deny Gonzales after he had been sent clear by Firman Utina.

Having withstood the early pressure and quietened the raucous crowd a little, the Malaysians began to assert themselves with S. Kunalan shooting just wide and Norsharul seeing his close-range effort blocked.

The hosts failed to heed the warning signs and found themselves trailing after 18 minutes. An Indonesian attack broke down and the ball was launched forward to Safee Sali who cut inside a defender before feeding the ball to an unmarked Norshahrul who coolly teed the ball up before lashing it past a helpless Markus Harison.

However, Malaysia's lead would last just four minutes. On a quick break down the left flank, Irfan cut the ball back from the byline, which knicked off Sharbinee and hit the unfortunate Asraruddin on the[see more..]

Source : AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 Official