Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Jakarta: Indonesia produced a spirited second half display to hold China to a 1-1 draw in Tuesday’s AFC Asian Cup 2015 qualifier at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium as the hosts picked up their first point in Group C.
Wu Xi’s close range finish had opened the scoring for China nine minutes before half-time with the visitors seemingly on course to record a second consecutive win of the campaign having dominated for the majority of the first half.
But seven minutes after the hour mark captain Boaz Solossa netted with an eye-catching half volley as Indonesia bounced back after beginning the qualifiers with defeats by Iraq and Saudi Arabia, while China progressed to four points from their three games having beaten Iraq at home in March.
“We're very grateful that we can take our first point in the competition. It was quite an interesting match as we played differently in the first and the second half. We had a chance to win, but we only managed to get a draw,” said Indonesia coach Jacksen Tiago.
“I give full credit for my players as we got the result without any warm-up matches and we have prepared during the off-season.
“I made a game plan for each half. I knew that China would suffer with the hot weather and it worked.”
China made a bright start with Yu Dabao going close on three occasions inside the first quarter of an hour, although as the half progressed the chances dried up for the visitors with Indonesia finding their feet with several brief forays into the oppositions half.
But nine minutes before half-time China were rewarded as the lively Yu skilfully spun away from defender Victor Igbonefo inside the penalty area and his pass across the edge of the six yard area was slid into the net by Wu with goalkeeper I Made Wirawan drawn out of position.
And China were denied a second two minutes before half-time as Yu was adjudged to have narrowly strayed offside before following up after Wirawan had failed to hold a free-kick.
Indonesia, though, made a better start to the second half and China goalkeeper Zeng Cheng was called into action five minutes after the restart to push away a header from first half substitute Titus Bonai before Raphael Maitimo shot narrowly over soon after.
But it was China who came closest to adding to their lead on the hour mark as a vicious 30-yard swerving strike from Wu Lei cannoned off the face off the crossbar with Wirawan beaten.
And Indonesia took full advantage of the let off seven minutes after the hour mark as the ball broke kindly for Solossa on the edge of the China penalty area and the Indonesia captain beat goalkeeper Zeng with an expertly executed first time half-volley.
Indonesia continued to look the more likely to add a second as the half progressed and Ruben Sanadi blazed narrowly over the crossbar from inside the area with eight minutes remaining.
And it took a superb reflex save from Zeng to deny Indonesia in stoppage time as a one-handed save from the China goalkeeper denied Greg Nwokolo with virtually the last kick of the game following a swift counterattack from the home side.
“For me, the result is disappointing as we came here to take three points. We did not have a lot of luck as if we could have scored an early goal we could have controlled the game,” said China coach Fu Bo.
“But we still played with our football philosophy and we were trying to play with different tactics in the match.”
Photo: AFP