IMAGE: The second friendly between India and Indonesia will take place on October 13. Photograph: Indian Football/X
The India U-23 men’s team defeated Indonesia 2-1 in the first of two international friendlies at the Gelora Bung Karno Madya Stadium, Jakarta, on Friday.
All goals came in the first half, as Naushad Moosa’s side raced to an early two-goal lead, thanks to a superb brace from Suhail Ahmad Bhat (5th and 26th minutes) before Dony Tri Pamungkas pulled one back four minutes before half-time.
After another intensely fought second half that yielded no goals, the Blue Colts claimed a well-deserved win that underlined both their attacking prowess and defensive solidity.
India made a lightning-quick start, taking the lead in the fifth minute when Bhat intercepted a loose pass by Frengky Missa, burst into the box and thrashed a right-footed shot into the top corner.
Rocked by the opening goal, Indonesia were desperate for the equaliser, but that left gaps behind which India tried their best to exploit.
In the 10th minute, Muhammed Suhail’s cutback caused all sorts of problems in the hosts’ defence. The ball ultimately fell for Vibin Mohanan, who struck hard but was denied by a goal-line clearance.
There was no stopping Suhail onslaught from the left as he cut inside in the 22nd minute, saw his low drive blocked by the defence, gathered the second ball and tried to hit it into the bottom corner, but goalkeeper Cahya Supriadi made a good save.
The second goal was always coming, and it came sooner than later — once again from Bhat in the 26th minute.
Vibin drilled a low cross from the left that landed at the feet of Ayush Chhetri. The captain slipped the ball for Bhat, who outmuscled his marker, and launched another thunderbolt of a strike that bulged the top corner of the net.
There could’ve been three had the woodwork not come to Indonesia’s rescue in the 29th minute. After Suhail had brilliantly nutmegged the full-back, he set up Ayush, whose shot was well-blocked. From the resulting corner, Korou Singh Thingujam struck the bottom of the post with a right-footed strike.
However, Indonesia got a ray of hope when they halved the deficit in the 41st minute. Left-back Dony Tri Pamungkas found some space on the edge of the box and unleashed a curler that found the top corner.
Goalkeeper Mohanraj K, making his debut for India at any age group, had no answer to it.
Hoping to complete their comeback, Indonesia head coach Indra Sjafri rolled in half a dozen changes at half-time, but India’s defence only grew sharper and more effective. The second half was more cagey, and chances came few and far between for both teams.
The Blue Colts had a big chance to extend their lead in the 57th minute. Right-back Ricky Meetei Haobam swung in a peach of a cross that landed inch-perfectly for Bhat, who made a good connection with his head but directed it straight onto Supriadi’s gloves.
