Indonesia managed to ensure themselves to step into AFF Suzuki Cup final after semifinal second leg which was held at the My Dinh Stadium, Hanoi, on Wednesday. The 120 minutes thriller ended in a 2-2 draw and Garuda Team stepped into the final with a 4-3 aggregate.
Is Indonesia changing the game?
indonesia lead 1-0 first thanks to the goal from Netherland born Indonesian striker, Stefano Lilipaly, on 54th minutes, exploit a mistake from Vietnamese defender and goalkeeper. With an advantage in the aggregate, Indonesia starts to slow down the tempo of the game and deploy defensive game.
In another part, Vietnam added more pressure even they down to 10 men. Two goals scored by Vietnam to keeps their hope alive at the end of normal time.
Indonesia got 4-3 aggregate advantage in the first half of extra time after Manahati Lestusen scored from the penalty spot after Ferdinand Sinaga violated in the box. The match was still intense because Vietnam still needs another two goals to advance for final.
Lestusen was the first choice as an executor of the penalty kick in the field since Boaz Solossa had already been replaced by Ferdinand Sinaga through the second half.
"I was asked by other players about my readiness to be an executor, but I am confident for the penalty kick. I also second penalty taker after Boaz," he said.
In 2-2 draw situation or a 4-3 aggregate advantage for Indonesia, Vietnam kept trying to give a pressure to Indonesia defensive line. Losing one player seemed not affect Nguyen Huu Thang's team morale. But, until the end of 30 minutes extra time, there was no additional goals. Garuda Team also qualified to final with a 4-3 aggregate.
"We should strive for 120 minutes because Vietnam is better. We are good in defense but not too good in attack. We were too easy to lose the ball. Two goals from Vietnam was scored from a set play. Anything can happen in that situation. We may have some good chances but couldn't finish," said Alfred Riedl, Austrian-born Indonesia Team coach.
"We have at least three opportunities. With their condition (Vietnam), which played with 10 players, this (match) could end more easily for us. However, it didn't happen," he continued.
With pressure exerted by the host, Riedl grateful his team can pass through it and qualify for the final.
"Before today, no one says we can run this far. We fought for good luck and we managed to achieve it," added Riedl.
The final match will take place on December 14 and 17 with Indonesia will host the first leg.
