SEA Games 26 (19/11): U23 Vietnam – U23 Indonesia: 0-2

Hosts Indonesia made their first final in 14 years with two second half goals to beat Vietnam 2-0 in the semi-final that was played at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium this evening.

Fielding all their first choice players, the Indonesians pressed Vietnam hard right from the start where they showed a lot of determination when compared to their last group game against Malaysia.

With Vietnam back pedaling for long periods in the game, the Indonesians utilized Titus Bonai on the left while the attack from the other flank was initiated by Patrich Wanggai. In the 17^thminute, Titus cross had no takers in front of an empty goal as Wanggai totally failed to control his shot at the far end.

Titus was again in the thick of the action a minute later but his shot went straight to Vietnam custodian Tran Buu Ngoc while captain Egi Melgiansyah’s swerving freekick did no better.

Several corners later on 24^th minute onwards saw Buu Ngoc taking an awkward fall with the third tumble following a clash with Patrich forcing the game to be stopped for more than five minutes as he received treatment to his neck.

And just before the rain started to fall with five minutes remaining of the first half, Vietnam finally created their first real chance in the game with a grounder from Hoang Dinh Tung which Kurnia Mega had little trouble in scooping it up.

With the score tied at the end of the first half, Indonesia stepped on the gas after the break and in the 61^st minute they finally gave the sell-out crowd at the Senayan something to cheer when Patrich’s freekick beat Buu Ngoc at the near post.

Vietnam tried hard to get into the game but they just could not push forward in numbers enough to trouble the Indonesia defence. Several long shots from Pham Thanh Luong and Nguyen Trong Hoang were the best that they could muster in the second half as the Indonesians grew in confidence.

In the 78^th minute, Egi had a great chance off a one on one situation but he totally muffed it while Titus could fare no better.

However, a minute to the end Titus finally delivered the second goal for Indonesia when he cut in from the right before his shot came off Vietnam defender Truong Huynh Phu before sailing into goal.

With the win, Indonesia will take on Malaysia in the final in two days

TEAMS

VIETNAM (Red/Red/Red): Tran Buu Ngoc (GK), Au Van Hoan, Ngo Hoang Thinh, Hoang Dinh Tung, Nguyen Trong Hoang, Le Van Thang, Nguyen Van Quyet, Chu Ngoc Anh, Truong Huynh Phu, Pham Than Luong (c), Lam Anh Quang.

Head coach: Falko Goetz

Scorer: nil

Yellow cards: Ngo Hoang Thinh (56^th), Tran Buu Ngoc (43^rd), Lam Anh Quang (3^rd)

MYANMAR (White/Green/Green): Kurnia Mega, Mahardiga Lasut, Egi Melgiansyah (c), Octovianus Maniani, Gunawan Dwi Cahyo, Hasim Kipuw, Andik Vermansyah, Diego Michiels, Titus Bonai, Patrich Wanggai, Abdul Rahman

Head coach: Rahmad Darmawan

Scorer: Patrich Wanggai (61^st), Titus Bonai (89^th)

Yellow cards: Patrich Wanggai (44^th)

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Kim Jong Hyeok (South Korea)

Asst Referee 1: Mohamed Aneel (Maldives)

Asst Referee 2: Fareed Mohamed (Maldives)

Fourth Official: Tojo Minoru (Japan)

Match Commissioner: Dr. Lin Weiguo (China)

Referee Assessor: Michael Andrews (India)

General Coordinator: Rachmat Priyandi (Indonesia)