Playing as the home team, Indonesia’s U-23 national team open the game by beating Chinese Taipei with a final score of 4-0 in the Group A men’s football competition of the 2018 Asian Games at Patriot Chandrabaga Stadium, Bekasi, West Java, on Sunday. Giving the home fans an euphoria for the competition.
The goal scorer for Indonesia were Stefano Lilipaly (67’ and 76’), Alberto Goncalves (71’) and Muhammad Hargianto (90’+3).
This victory provisionally places Indonesia in the second position of Group A with three points, below Palestine, which has secured four points with one game ahead. Despite earning the same number of points as Hong Kong, Indonesia ranks higher on goal difference.
Indonesia’s U-23 coach Luis Milla fielded senior player Alberto "Beto" Goncalves as the spearhead supported by the movement of both wings, Febri Hariyadi and Irfan Jaya.
Milla also sent out two other senior team members, midfielder Stefano Lilipaly and goalkeeper Andritany Ardhiyasa.
Chinese Taipei, as in their 0-0 draw with Palestine in Group A’s first contest, were strengthened by their three senior players: keeper Pan Wenchieh, defender Ruei Wang and captain Tingyang Chen.
With the support of senior players, Indonesia displayed a more dominant performance than their opponent. Playing with 4-3-3 formation, Indonesia relied on the speed of their winger, Febri Hariyadi and Irfan Jaya.
But the attacks were well dealt with by the Chinese Taipei defense. At least three daring chances for Indonesia offered by diagonal crosses from the wings were perfectly broken by the Chinese Taipei team.
Besieged Chinese Taipei tried several times to resist by launching counter attacks. However, no goals resulted from their attempts either. The score at half time therefore remained level at 0-0.
In the second half, the Indonesian U-23 eleven upped their game, endlessly attacking until the deadlock was finally broken in the 67th minute thanks to the header of Stefano Lilipaly, who managed to hit the ball passed by Febri Hariyadi from a free kick.
Not more than five minutes later, in the 71st minute Indonesia again scored another goal. Beginning from a quick counter assault, Zulfiandi delivered his short-range ball to Alberto Goncalves, who converted it into a goal.
The score didn’t stay at 2-0 for long, as in the 76th minute Fano scored his second goal, performing a spectacular somersault kick after receiving Rezaldi Hehanusa’s diagonal cross from the right defense line of Chinese Taipei.
Chinese Taipei strived to earn a goal in the last few minutes, but the score remained unchanged. Indonesia, however, managed to get another one in stoppage time from a long-range kick by Muhammad Hargianto, who replaced Evan Dimas in the second half.
Indonesia therefore won the match 4-0 and was entitled to three points.
Team members:
Indonesian U-23 national team: Ardhiyasa Andritany, Putu Gede Juni Antara, Zulfiandi, Evan Dimas (68', replaced by Muhammad Hargianto), Muhammad Rezaldi Hehanusa, Alberto Goncalves (83', Ilham Udin), Stefano Liliypaly, Febri Hariadi, Ricky Saputra, Hansamu Yama (captain), Irfan Jaya (60', Saddil Ramdani).
Chinese Taipei U-23 national team: Pan Wanchieh, Wang Ruei, Chen Tingyang (captain), Hsiangche Huang (70', Chen Shengwei), Chiahuang Yu, Lee Hsiangwei (72', Wei Maoting), Chen Chaoan, Chen Hungwei, Chao Mingsu, Hsu Hungchih, Tu Shaochieh (83', Wu Yenshu).
AG Media Publication in cooperation with The Jakarta Post
Journalist: Michael Siahaan
Editor: Irwan Suhirwandi
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