Indonesia Trashes Mongolia 7-0 to Keep Its Chances Alive in 2018 AFC U-23 Championship
Jakarta. Indonesia's under-23 national football team dominated the game against Mongolia in the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship qualifiers at Supachalasai National Stadium in Bangkok on Friday (21/07).
The Indonesians showed tidy and steady teamwork by scoring seven goals without conceding any.
This was probably the best result for Indonesia coach Luis Milla Aspas since his arrival from Spain in January. His record now reflects two wins, one draw and two defeats for the Garuda in international matches.
Milla kept his promise by featuring natural box-to-box playmaker Evan Dimas and center-back Hansamu Pranata in the starting lineup.
Milla's team drew first blood after only 17 minutes when winger Saddil Ramdani cut inside the right flank before beating Mongolian goalkeeper Saikhanchuluun Amarbayasgalan with a powerful shot.
Two minutes later, Saddil, who usually plays on the left wing for his home club Persela Lamongan, went one-on-one with Amarbayasgalan, but spoiled his shot.
In the 31st minute, Persipura Jayapura striker Marinus Wanewar doubled Indonesia's lead with a header after an assist by Persipura teammate Osvaldo Haay.
Three minutes later, the iconic Evan had a clear chance at the front, but his low drive was tipped away by Amarbayasgalan.
Balinese right-back Gavin Kwan Adsit scored Indonesia's third goal with a header in the 35th minute after an assist by Marinus.
Mongolia forfeited its only chance in the first half when captain Galt Tuguldur sent a header over the bar after a corner kick in the 38th minute.
Four minutes into half time, Saddil once again threatened Amarbayasgalan, by trying a repeat of his previous goal. He dribbled along the right before cutting inside the box, but fired his shot a few centimeters wide.
In the 56th minute, he finally succeeded with a second goal, this time blasting the ball from the edge of Mongolia's box after a rebound from a free kick.
After Amarbayasgalan blocked a shot by Evan, left-wing forward Haay contributed the team's fifth goal by firing into the vacated goalpost in the 71st minute.
Indonesia added two more goals, courtesy of Gavin and incisive midfielder Septian David Maulana, in the 88th and 90th minutes.
"The boys were incredible today; congratulations to them as they weren't hopeless. We could bounce back after the Malaysia defeat," Milla said, as quoted in a statement issued by the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI).
Indonesia will next face host Thailand, who was held 1-1 by Mongolia on Wednesday, in the last group match on Sunday.
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