Tuesday, January 20, 2009

The Big Match- Indonesia v Australia


On the 28th of January at 11:30 pm Melbourne time, 7:30 pm in Jakarta, Australia will begin it's qualification campaign for the 2011 Asian Cup against Indonesia at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.  

The Gelora Bung Karno Stadium is named after the first President of Indonesia, it is located in Central Jakarta, has a capacity of just 88,000 people and was opened in 1962.    

Australian Squad
Pim Verbeek named his all A-league 21 man squad for the Indonesia match on the past Monday.

D. Allsopp  2 caps   Striker
B. Celeski  No caps  Midfielder
T. Pondelijak  4 caps  Midfielder
M. Theokiltos  No caps  GK
A. Thompson  30 caps 21 goals (However 13 of these goals were scored in the one mach) FW 
R. Vargas  1 cap  CB 
All of the above are Melbourne Victory players
R. Cornthwaite  No caps  CB
E. Galekovic  No caps  GK
S. Jamieson  No caps  LB
P. Reid  No caps  CDM, CM
The above are Adelaide players
D. Heffernan  No caps  LB
D. Macallister  No caps  CF
M. Simon  No caps  CF
D. Vukovic  No caps  GK
The above are Central Coast players
C. Moore  40 caps  3 goals  CB  Queensland Roar 
M. Zullo  No caps  Left winger  Queensland Roar  
M. Mckay  1 cap  Midfielder  Queensland Roar
T. Elrich  No caps  RB, Right winger  Newcastle Jets
M. Thompson  No caps  Midfielder, Fullback  Newcastle Jets
S. Cole  No caps  Winger, fullback  Sydney FC
N. Topor - Stanley  3 caps  CB  Perth Glory

The squad is very inexperienced with a total of only 81 caps and Craig Moore with 40 caps nearly has half.  Archie Thompson with 30 caps makes up another 38 % of the caps.  Whichever goalkeeper from E. Galekovic,  M. Theokiltos or D. Vukovic is chosen they will be making their international debut.  Also from the chosen squad only Archie Thompson and Craig Moore have scored an international goal before.  The squad has a fair amount of versatility with at least seven of the players able to play in a least two positions.

From the 21 players chosen by Pim Verbeek my choice of lineup would be-

...........................E. Galekovic

T. Elrich R. Vargas G. Moore S. Jamieson
...........................P. Reid
B. Celeski............................S. Cole
...........................M. Zullo
.................A. Thompson D. Allsopp

Subs
M. Theokiltos
R. Cornthwaite
D. Heffernan
M. Mckay
M. Thompson
D. Macallister
M. Simon

At this point of time Pim Verbeek hasn't given any indication of the players or formation he will use against Indonesia, however it is likely E. Galekovic will be given the nod as goalkeeper, R. Vargas will partner G. Moore in defence and that S. Jamieson will start at left back.  It is probable A. Thompson and D. Allsopp will start together up front.  It is also probable a 4-4-2 formation will be chosen for the match.


Indonesia 

Team nicknames Mereh Putih (Red and White), Garuda- an eagle-like being that Vishnu rides as his mount.  Played their first match as the Dutch East Indies in 1934, losing 3-2 to the Philippines.  In 1938 when still known as the Dutch East Indies, Indonesia were the first Asian team to play at a world cup.  Indonesia lost 6-0 to Hungary in the first round.  This is the only word cup appearance Indonesia has made.  Indonesia have appeared in the Asian Cup four times 1996, 2000, 2004, 2007 which Indonesia co-hosted with Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.  Indonesia have never made it past the first round at the Asian Cup.  Indonesia's only appearance in an Olympic football tournament was in the Melbourne 1956 Olympics.  Indonesia were knocked out in a quarter final replay by the USSR 4-0 after a goalless draw in the first match.  Indonesia have won the football tournament at the South East Asian Games twice in 1987 and 1991.  Indonesia's best result at the ASEAN Football Championship has been runner up, which they have achieved three times in 2000, 2002 and 2004.  Indonesia's biggest win was  13-0 against the Philippines in 2002.  Indonesia's biggest defeat 7-0 was inflicted by Syria in 2007. Indonesia's current FIFA ranking is 144, Indonesia's higest ranking was 76 which occurred in September 1998 and Indonesia's lowest ranking of 153 which occurred in December 2006.     

Recent Form
In the last month and a half Indonesia has played six games.  Winning two, 3-0 against Burma (Myanmar) and 4-0 against Cambodia.  Losing three, 2-0 against Singapore, 1-0 against Thailand and 2-1 once again against Thailand.  Their most recent result was a 0-0 away draw with Oman, which was a Asian Cup qualifier.
The matches against Burma, Cambodia, Singapore and Thailand were ASEAN Championship games, Thailand eliminated Indonesia in the semi-finals.             
The draw with Oman is the most impressive result of Indonesia's out of the six matches as well as it being an away match Oman are ranked 50 spots higher than Indonesia at 94.

For the ASEAN Championship Indonesia named a twenty man squad-
Markus Horison  GK
Muhamad Roby  DF
Erol Iba  DF
Fandy Mochtar  DF
Charis Yulianto  DF
Elie Aiboy  FW
Talohu Abdul Mushafy  FW
Aliyudin  FW
Ponaryo Astaman  MF
Ferry Rotinsulu  GK
Budi Sudarsono  FW
Ismed Sofyan  MF
Firman Utina  MF
Syamsul Bachri  MF
Muhammad Ilham  DF
Arif Suyono  MF
Bambang Pamungkas  FW
Isnan Ali  DF 
Irsyad Aras  MF
Nova Arianto  DF
All of the players currently play for Indonesian club teams.

For the Asian Cup qualfying match against Oman four new players, not named in the ASEAN Championship were included for the match day squad-
Boas Theofilus Erwin Salossa  MF  
Hariono  MF
Richardo Salampessy  DF  
Maman Abdurahman  DF 
These four players also play their club football in Indonesia.

It's probable the Indonesian starting 11 and match day squad chosen to play against Australia will come from these 24 players.
Indonesia's most dangerous player will be centre forward Bambang Pamungkas, he is Indonesia's all time leading goal scorer (34) and most capped player (87).  Attacking midfielder/forward Budi Sudarsono will also be dangerous having scored four goals in his last six internationals.
Indonesia are currently coached by Indonesian Benny Dollo.

Match Prediction 
If Australia score an early goal before the 20 minute mark, Australia could get a comfortable 3 or 4 goal win.
If Australia don't score an early goal, 2-1 or 2-0 win in Australia's favour.
If the match is still scoreless approaching 70 minutes narrow 1 nil win to either side or 0-0, 1-1 draw result.         

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